Increasing ETH returns in a downtrend can be challenging, but the following strategies may help improve returns:

Shorting ETH: By shorting ETH, you can profit from a downtrend. This can be done through trading platforms or derivative markets such as futures or contracts for difference (CFDs). However, shorting ETH also carries risks, so thorough market analysis and risk management should be conducted before executing this strategy.

Increasing holdings: In a downtrend, you may consider increasing your ETH holdings. This way, when the market bounces back, you can profit from the price increase. However, this requires good market judgment and timing.

Dollar-cost averaging (DCA): Regularly investing a fixed amount into ETH is a long-term holding strategy that can average out costs in a downtrend. By consistently purchasing ETH, you can acquire more ETH shares when the price is low, potentially gaining higher returns when the market rebounds.