ETH/USD: Smart Money Index Signals Distribution Post-Rally

On the ETH/USD daily chart, a notable drop in the Smart Money Index (SMI) is confirming bearish sentiment among key market players. Since July 20, the SMI has declined by 7%, signaling increased selling activity from institutional investors and seasoned traders—often referred to as "smart money."

The SMI works by contrasting intraday trading behavior: it gauges retail-driven morning trades against institutional-dominated afternoon moves. A falling SMI, like the one seen on Ethereum, suggests that smart money is quietly exiting positions. In this case, it points to profit-taking after ETH’s recent price rally, reinforcing the idea that the current pullback may be more than just noise. Traders should monitor further declines in the SMI as a sign of continued distribution.