Ethereum Updates: AI Bets on Crypto—Ethereum Rises While the Industry Sheds Underperformers

Ethereum (ETH) saw a modest increase on Friday, climbing 1.67% to reach $4,132.56. This marks the cryptocurrency’s fifth consecutive day of gains and its most robust showing since late September 2025, according to a

. The upward momentum, fueled by a resurgence of institutional participation and heightened speculative trades, has brought ETH close to challenging significant resistance near $4,200. However, experts warn that price swings remain a considerable concern.

This movement mirrors a broader sense of optimism across digital assets, with Ether posting a 23.55% increase so far this year, despite having fallen 16.60% from its record high of $4,955.23, as noted in the Morningstar report.

observed that although Ethereum’s current momentum could pave the way toward $10,000, the asset still faces major obstacles between $4,000 and $4,050, where previous breakouts have stalled. “A decisive close above $4,000 would likely restore bullish energy, but dropping below $3,930 might prompt another test of the $3,870 support area,” one analyst commented, stressing that sustained trading volume is essential for a confirmed breakout.

The latest AI Coin Trading Competition highlighted the expanding role of artificial intelligence in crypto trading. DeepSeek, an AI company from China, retained its championship with a 7.2% gain on its ETH holdings, utilizing machine learning to refine trade execution. In contrast, Alibaba’s Qwen 3 experienced a 15% loss, illustrating the difficulties of deploying advanced AI in fast-paced trading scenarios.

Artificial intelligence is also transforming the wider financial sector. BigBear.ai (BBAI), which specializes in defense-related AI solutions, has seen its share price jump 79.5% over the past six months, outperforming competitors like C3.ai (AI), which dropped 12.3%, according to a

. BigBear.ai’s ConductorOS, a platform for military logistics and border protection, has amassed a $380 million contract backlog, with leadership forecasting $125–$140 million in revenue for 2025, as outlined in a . Meanwhile, C3.ai’s difficulties—including an 18% revenue drop in Q2 2025 and a net loss of $228.6 million—underscore the dangers of relying too heavily on speculative expansion.

suggest that the AI industry is entering a period of “pruning,” where only the most adaptable and regulation-ready companies will succeed. “While established tech leaders like Microsoft remain the safest options, specialized firms such as BigBear.ai may benefit from increased government investment in defense and logistics AI,” the report stated.

The short-term forecast for Ethereum is uncertain. The CoinDesk 5 Index, which tracks leading cryptocurrencies, edged up 0.4% to 1,953.72, but the 24-hour chart revealed price fluctuations between $3,876 and $3,957. Surpassing $4,000 could revive bullish enthusiasm, while falling below $3,930 would likely bring the $3,870–$3,880 support range into play, according to technical analysis.