I don't know that it's about to pop, but I would definitely make a mental note of this, along with concerns that NEO may win out because it uses existing programming languages like C# and could be partnering with Microsoft and some heavy hitters in China.
I'm not a miner, so I don't have that perspective, but we've seen how mining profitability can shift the power balance back and forth in the cases of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash in recent days.
RE: Is Ether about to pop? The mining reward is about to be reduced by 18.5%