Major Predictions for Ethereum: CEO Projects 10X Growth in Total Value Locked by 2026

As per the insights of Sharplink co-CEO Joseph Chalom, Ethereum is poised for a significant increase in Total Value Locked (TVL) next year, contingent upon specific on-chain trends. Chalom confidently predicts a tenfold growth in TVL by 2026, a forecast driven by the increasing use of stablecoins, the tokenization of real-world assets, and growing interest from major financial institutions.

Key Takeaways

Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of Sharplink, forecasts Ethereum's Total Value Locked (TVL) to grow tenfold by 2026.
The stablecoin market is projected to increase from $308 billion to $500 billion, with over half of the activity occurring on Ethereum.
Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are expected to soar, with a forecasted market value of $300 billion in 2026.
Ethereum's price volatility remains significant, with current trading hovering around $2,921, following substantial fluctuations throughout 2025.
Analyst Benjamin Cowen remains skeptical about significant price increases for Ether in the near future under current Bitcoin market conditions.

Ethereum

Understanding Stablecoin Trends on Ethereum

Current reports indicate that the overall stablecoin market is approximately $308 billion, with expectations to climb to $500 billion by the end of next year—a substantial increase of around 62%. Notably, over half of the stablecoin activities—about 54%—take place on Ethereum. This is crucial because an increase in stablecoin transactions on the Ethereum platform typically boosts the protocol’s TVL, as many of these funds are utilized in smart contracts for exchanges, lending, and liquidity pools.

Sharplink Gaming currently holds 797,704 Ether, valued at approximately $2.30 billion at the time of writing, highlighting that some public treasuries are making significant investments in the Ethereum network.

ETHUSD trading at $2,928 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView

The Rise of Tokenized Assets

Chalom further anticipates rapid growth in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). He predicts a $300 billion market for RWAs by 2026 and suggests that tokenized assets will see a tenfold increase in assets under management (AUM) next year as various financial instruments such as funds, stocks, and bonds become wrapped on-chain.

"In 2026, I believe Ethereum’s Total Value Locked (TVL) will increase 10X. Why and how? 🧵 Views ≠ investment advice."
— Joseph Chalom (@joechalom) December 26, 2025

Chalom's perspective is aligned with the increasing interest from well-established financial firms such as JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock. Reports indicate that sovereign wealth funds might amplify their Ethereum investments by five to ten times, which could introduce substantial long-term capital into tokenization projects and protocol deposits.

As of December 25, 2025, Ethereum was trading near $2,921, contributing to a network market capitalization of roughly $352 billion, and a 24-hour trading volume nearing $11.47 billion.

Throughout 2025, Ethereum experienced significant price fluctuations, beginning the year around $3,298, peaking at $4,390 in August, and ultimately falling to about $2,921 by year-end, while still remaining below its record high of $4,942. The annual volatility was high, nearing 140%. Current technical analyses present mixed signals; with a weekly RSI indicator at 41.7, placing Ethereum in a neutral to bearish zone, and a negative daily MACD histogram of -0.15. Price movements have been restricted within a relatively narrow range between $2,774 and $3,038.

Recent futures data emphasizes a cautious market outlook. The total open interest is near $37 billion, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.62% over the last 24 hours, suggesting diminishing trader exposure. Furthermore, liquidation data indicates over $100 million in potential long liquidations clustered around the $2,880 to $2,910 range, which could serve as a critical pressure point.

Market analytics

However, not all analysts share the optimism regarding the direct correlation between token flows and immediate price increases. Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen expresses skepticism, predicting that Ether is unlikely to achieve new highs next year, particularly under the current conditions of Bitcoin. This cautious sentiment aligns with technical assessments suggesting a more stable trading range, compounded by the slight easing of open interest. The liquidation cluster around $2,880 to $2,910 underscores possible pressure on leveraged positions, which could facilitate sharper price actions than fundamentally justified.

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView