Veteran trader Peter Brandt sees Ethereum potentially advancing to $8,674 over the long term after a successful breakout above $5,000, based on classical technical structure and historical reversals. He cautioned that a chart presentation or call is "NOT a trade." Ethereum’s outlook is also being shaped by network upgrades: co-founder Vitalik Buterin has identified privacy as a "first-class goal" and is targeting a quantum-resistant Layer-1 (base blockchain network) by 2029 through the planned Glamsterdam and Hegota upgrades. Market activity has strengthened, with Ethereum up 6% over 24 hours to $2,731, while monthly gains approached 50% amid renewed spot Ethereum ETF inflows. Trading volume rose 80% over 24 hours, and ETH futures open interest increased 1% to $36 billion. A whale swapped 1,308 BTC worth $104 million for 40,670 ETH over six days and staked all of it, while Glassnode said its altcoin cycle signal had shifted from Bitcoin to altcoin season.