- Ethereum just recorded its highest-ever daily wallet creation at nearly 394K.
- Lower fees, rising stablecoin activity, and improving sentiment are driving adoption.
- Forecasts see ETH approaching $3,750, with $4K possible if momentum holds.
Ethereum has been showing renewed strength lately, pairing steady price action with an explosion in network activity. While ETH continues to trade with some volatility around the $3,300 level, one metric stands out above the rest: wallet creation. The network recently set a new record with roughly 393,600 new wallets created in a single day, while weekly averages are hovering near 327,000. That kind of growth suggests rising interest beyond short-term trading, raising a familiar question as 2026 gets underway — can Ethereum reclaim the $4,000 mark by January’s end?
A Record-Breaking Surge in New Wallets
Ethereum is currently seeing the highest wallet creation rates in its history. According to on-chain data highlighted by Santiment, ETH averaged more than 327,000 new wallets per day over the past week, with one session spiking close to 394,000. That level of onboarding points to broad participation, not just whales or institutions. For many observers, it’s a sign that Ethereum’s relevance is expanding again at the user level, not just in price narratives.
Why Activity on Ethereum Is Picking Up
Santiment points to several factors driving this surge. One key catalyst was the Fusaka upgrade deployed in early December 2025, which improved how data is handled on Ethereum and reduced costs for Layer-2 networks posting information back to the main chain. Lower fees and smoother interactions made the ecosystem more accessible, encouraging new users to create wallets and interact with applications.
Stablecoin usage has also played a major role. Ethereum processed roughly $8 trillion in stablecoin transfer volume during Q4 2025, a new all-time high. That level of real economic activity reinforces Ethereum’s role as a settlement layer for payments and transfers, pulling in users who need wallets to send, receive, or hold assets tied to everyday financial use.
Seasonal sentiment has added fuel as well. As the calendar turned, broader crypto sentiment improved, with on-chain indicators shifting from negative toward neutral or slightly positive in mid-December. Historically, those transitions often coincide with increased retail onboarding, which appears to be happening again.
Can Ethereum Push Back to $4,000?
Despite the strong fundamentals, near-term forecasts remain measured. CoinCodex data suggests Ethereum could climb toward $3,754 by early to mid-February 2026, representing roughly 12% upside from current levels. Technical indicators remain neutral, and recent price volatility has stayed relatively contained. ETH has logged more green days than red over the past month, but not enough momentum yet to confidently call a breakout above $4,000.
That said, sustained wallet growth, heavy stablecoin usage, and improving sentiment form a solid foundation. If volume and network activity continue to expand while broader market conditions cooperate, Ethereum’s push toward $4K may be more a matter of timing than possibility.
