Key takeaways
What does the Korea Premium Index reveal about Ethereum’s rally?
The sharp rise in Korean premium and decline in social dominance signal an overheated market driven by retail euphoria, hinting that enthusiasm may fade as attention cools.
How do the NVT ratio and taker sales dominance reinforce ETH downside risk?
The rising NVT ratio and dominance of taker selling highlights weakening network fundamentals and increased profit-taking, suggesting that Ethereum may soon face corrective pressure.
Ethereum (ETH) The Korea Premium Index’s rise above 8 percent reflects a growing price gap between South Korean exchanges and global markets.
This metric has often served as a reliable indicator of speculative spikes, as seen before Ethereum’s downturn in early 2022.
This rise reflects strong retail participation driven by hype rather than fundamental demand. Such schemes primarily attract profit-taking from the largest holders, who capitalize on inflated valuations.
Therefore, this new divergence highlights the growing risk that current gains may not be sustainable if retail euphoria fades or institutional flows remain constrained.
Ethereum’s Fall in Social Dominance Reveals…
Ethereum’s social dominance has declined to 5.17% at press time, suggesting that market conversations around ETH are cooling despite the recent price surge.
This decline indicates that retail traders are becoming less engaged, which is usually a warning sign of losing momentum.
Historically, Ethereum has struggled to sustain rebounds when social buzz wanes, as retail activity fuels much of the network’s short-term demand.
Additionally, the disconnect between social sentiment and price strength reveals a weakening of traders’ conviction.
If this trend continues, Ethereum could come under pressure as more attention shifts to more active altcoin narratives.


Source: Santiment
The increase in the NVT ratio compromises the usefulness of the network!
Ethereum’s NVT ratio has climbed sharply to 916, at the time of writing, reaching levels that indicate its market value is growing faster than its on-chain activity.
This suggests that price appreciation is fueled by speculation rather than increased network usage.
High NVT ratios have historically aligned with overvaluation and weaker transaction demand, often preceding periods of consolidation.
While this does not necessarily confirm an imminent slowdown, it does highlight that Ethereum’s current momentum may depend more on market sentiment than its actual utility, thus amplifying the likelihood of a near-term cooling phase.


Source: Santiment
Ethereum Taker Sells Dominance Signals Growing Profit-Taking Pressure
Spot Taker CVD data shows dominance in taker selling, confirming that selling pressure is intensifying as traders secure gains following the recent surge.
This change indicates a gradual shift of tokens from short-term traders to buyers entering the rally late.
Combined with weakening social metrics and elevated NVT levels, this reinforces the narrative that Ethereum’s uptrend may soon face resistance.
If selling pressure accelerates, the asset could struggle to maintain its current price range, especially if retail flows decline.


Source: CryptoQuant
Can Ethereum Maintain Momentum Amid Growing Risks?
Rising Korean Ethereum premium, fading social buzz, and rising NVT ratio collectively suggest an overheated market vulnerable to correction.
Even if the bullish momentum persists for now, continued profit-taking and reduced retail interest could tip the scales towards a short-term pullback.
Unless fundamentals strengthen to match current valuations, Ethereum’s rally may soon encounter its first phase of significant resistance.