Ethereum exchange reserves fall to 16.3M ETH as derivatives data signal reduced leverage in February 2026

In early February 2026, Ethereum’s exchange reserves fell to around 16.3 million ETH, a multi-year low associated with growing staking and off-exchange custody. At the same time, whales were seen accumulating during a price dip near $2,050, while derivatives data showed shrinking open interest, negative funding, and over $1 billion in long liquidations. This combination points to tighter tradable supply and lower leverage, while leaving room for future volatility.