Recently, Ethereum (ETH)'s performance can only be described as 'beyond pitiful', as if it has transformed from a favored child into a pariah that everyone avoids. If you are also worried about your ETH holdings, don't rush, let's discuss in plain language the five key factors affecting ETH's price.

1. Market Demand and Supply: ETH's 'Fan Loss' Crisis

- Market Demand: ETH is like a star; it can only maintain its popularity if it has enough fans (investors). But recently, ETH seems to have lost some fans because more interesting new projects have emerged in the market, such as various DeFi and NFTs. If people no longer chase ETH, its price will naturally struggle to rise.

- Supply Changes: Remember that 'burning money' mechanism? That's EIP-1559, which was intended to reduce the circulation of ETH and increase its price. However, recently, network activity has decreased, leading to fewer ETH being burned, which has actually increased the supply, resulting in a bit of 'oversupply' for ETH, causing its price to weaken.

2. Technological Development and Upgrades: ETH's Technological Bottleneck

- Network Upgrades: ETH is like a game that keeps evolving, with each upgrade bringing new challenges and opportunities. For example, the transition from PoW to PoS (The Merge) improved network security and efficiency, but also caused short-term price fluctuations. Future sharding technology and Layer 2 solutions, if they progress smoothly, may allow ETH to shine again.

- Technological Innovation: In the world of ETH, new smart contracts and DApps are being born every day. These innovations are like new items in a game, attracting more and more players (developers and users). If ETH can continue to launch attractive new features, market demand will naturally increase.

3. Macroeconomic Environment: ETH's 'External Pressure'

- Global Financial Markets: The global economic situation is like the weather; when things are good, everyone is in a good mood and willing to spend money on ETH; when things are bad, everyone tightens their wallets. Therefore, macroeconomic factors such as economic recession, inflation, and interest rate changes indirectly affect ETH's price.

- Policy and Regulation: The attitude of governments and regulatory agencies is like a parent's discipline towards a child, sometimes strict, sometimes lenient. If regulatory policies are friendly, ETH can grow healthily; conversely, if policies tighten, ETH may temporarily 'get hurt'.

4. Competition and Substitutes: The Rise of ETH's 'Rivals'

- Competing Blockchains: ETH is not the only 'star'; there are competitors like Solana, Binance Smart Chain, and Polygon. These blockchains may excel in certain aspects, attracting some fans. If ETH cannot maintain its leading position, its price will be affected.

- The Rise of Substitutes: New cryptocurrency projects and tokens are emerging one after another, like fresh new things. If these substitutes are more popular in certain areas, ETH's market share will be eroded.

5. Market Sentiment and Events: ETH's 'Public Opinion Turmoil'

- Market Sentiment: Market sentiment is like a weather forecast; when it's good, the sun shines bright, and when it's bad, dark clouds loom. Positive news and successful project funding can drive ETH prices up; while negative news and security issues can lead to price drops.

- Major Events: Certain significant market events, such as the listing of ETH ETFs, large institutional investments, and statements from notable figures, can significantly impact ETH's price in the short term.

Although ETH's recent performance has been somewhat disappointing, let's not forget that every low point is the starting point for the next peak. There are many factors influencing ETH's price, and investors need to remain calm and rational about market fluctuations. If you are optimistic about ETH's long-term development prospects, consider buying at a low price and patiently waiting for it to 'stand up' again!

I hope these straightforward analyses can give you a clearer understanding of ETH's future. After all, investing is like a marathon; what matters is not the speed at the beginning, but whether you can persist until the end. Go, ETH!