Why Tom Lee Believes Ethereum Can Break $5,000? The Key Is an ETH/BTC Ratio Breakout

For newcomers to the cryptocurrency world, seeing names like Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) frequently can be a bit confusing: why look at not only the dollar price of ETH but also ETH/BTC? The reason is actually not complicated. This article will guide you step by step through analyst Tom Lee’s perspective and teach you the key points that beginners should pay attention to.

Everyone is asking: Why compare ETH with BTC?

In simple terms, the ETH/BTC ratio indicates the “strength of Ethereum relative to Bitcoin.” If ETH performs well against BTC, it means that funds are flowing from Bitcoin to Ethereum, which often signals the potential for a strong cycle for Ethereum. Tom Lee has put forward his views based on this perspective. Furthermore, ratio analysis can filter out the impact of factors such as dollar fluctuations, exchange rate changes, and macro monetary policy on absolute prices, allowing us to focus more on the internal changes of crypto assets in terms of “who is strong and who is weak.”

What is Tom Lee’s judgment?

Tom Lee recently pointed out that if the ETH/BTC ratio can break through the resistance level of 0.087, it will be a signal of a “structural change.” He further noted that the current actual number for this ratio is about 0.03654, which is still some distance from the target.

According to his valuation model, if Bitcoin rises to $250,000, under the aforementioned ratio conditions, the fair value of Ethereum could exceed $12,000. Before this extreme scenario is reached, he considers $5,000 to be a relatively visible target.

What are the current prices of ETH/BTC and ETH?

According to reports, the ETH/BTC ratio is approximately 0.03654, with a target breakout point of 0.087. This means that it is still well below this key resistance level. Therefore, Ethereum has not yet entered what Tom Lee calls the “pre-breakout stage,” but there are potential opportunities worth paying attention to.

What will happen if it breaks through?

Once ETH/BTC truly breaks through 0.087 with increased trading volume and accelerated capital inflow, it may trigger the following chain of events:

• Ethereum is stronger than Bitcoin → Investor confidence is increasing
• More funds flowing into the Ethereum ecosystem → Prices pushed further up
• Due to changes in structural expectations, more institutions or medium to long-term funds may enter the market → driving prices further away from the USD base price.

In this context, it is logically possible for Ethereum to surge to $5,000 or even higher.

What should beginners do?

• Observe key ratios: Pay attention to whether ETH/BTC is close to or has broken through 0.087.
• Allocate funds wisely: Consider starting with a small amount to test the waters, and avoid going all in at once.
• Pay attention to entry and stop-loss: a breakout may be quickly realized, or it may fail. If the breakout conditions are not clear, you need to set a proper stop-loss.
• Pay attention to information and capital flow: Institutional buying, on-chain liquidity, and major events in the Ethereum ecosystem can all serve as auxiliary judgments.
• Manage Expectations: $5,000 is possible, but not guaranteed. Set your own goals and risk tolerance.

Three Risks to Read Before Investing

• Breakthrough failure risk: 0.087 is a resistance level and may be tested repeatedly without success or even fall back.
• Macroeconomic and regulatory risks: The crypto market is greatly influenced by policies, regulations, and the global economy. While structural analysis is important, external shocks can also change trends.
• Relative indicators do not equate to absolute increases: even if ETH/BTC breaks through, Ethereum may still face other resistance or adjustments. The rise is not instantaneous.