Standard Chartered Projects Ethereum At $40,000 By 2030, Lowers 2026 Forecast

Standard Chartered has revised its long-term forecast for Ethereum (ETH), predicting a price of $40,000 by the end of 2030. However, it has significantly lowered its 2026 target to $7,500, pointing out that while the overall crypto market faces pressure, Ethereum’s relative position is improving.

Key Takeaways

Standard Chartered predicts Ethereum will reach $40,000 by the end of 2030.
The bank has cut its end-2026 price target for ETH to $7,500 from $12,000.
Ethereum's fundamentals are strengthening despite short-term price pressures.
The bank highlights factors such as increased use in stablecoins and DeFi as potential demand drivers.
Regulatory developments, including the US CLARITY Act, could positively influence Ethereum’s market position.

Standard Chartered Sees Ethereum At $40,000 By 2030, Cuts 2026 Target

Standard Chartered Adjusts Ethereum Predictions

Standard Chartered has established a new ambitious target for Ethereum (ETH), forecasting it will achieve a value of $40,000 by the end of 2030. In contrast, the bank has notably decreased its end-2026 prediction to $7,500, arguing that the overall performance of the cryptocurrency market has suffered due to a downturn influenced by Bitcoin.

In a research note, Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s digital assets analyst, emphasized that 2026 could represent a critical turning point for Ethereum in relation to Bitcoin. "We believe ETH's outlook has improved. Therefore, we expect it to gradually recover to its 2021 highs," Kendrick stated, highlighting an expected rebound in the ETH/BTC trading relationship as an essential aspect of his analysis.

Revised Price Targets for Ethereum

Standard Chartered now anticipates Ethereum will finish 2026 at $7,500, a significant drop from its previous estimate of $12,000. Looking further ahead, the forecasts suggest a rise to $15,000 in 2027 (down from an initial $18,000), followed by $22,000 in 2028 (reduced from $25,000), with an increase to $30,000 in 2029 (up from $25,000), before reaching the $40,000 mark by the end of 2030.

“I believe that 2026 will be a pivotal year for Ethereum, similar to 2021,” Kendrick noted. The bank attributes the recent downward adjustments to the pressures Bitcoin has placed on dollar-valued cryptocurrencies, indicating that weak BTC performance has “affected the forecast for digital assets priced in dollars,” necessitating lower absolute targets through 2028, even as Ethereum's fundamental aspects remain strong.

Demand Drivers for Ethereum's Growth

Kendrick pointed out several specific supports for Ethereum, suggesting these may be more likely to influence relative performance rather than instant spot-price increases. He mentioned ongoing accumulation by Bitmine Immersion Technologies, described as the largest Ethereum-focused digital asset treasury, during a period when Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) inflows have slowed and corporate treasury buying has decreased.

He also identified Ethereum’s crucial role in stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and decentralized finance (DeFi) as structural demand drivers. Moreover, Kendrick underscored the significance of plans to significantly increase Ethereum’s layer-1 throughput by nearly ten times in the coming two to three years. “Analysis indicates that increased throughput leads to a higher market cap,” he added.

Regulatory Environment As A Potential Boost

Regulation is indicated as another prospective supportive factor, with Kendrick referencing the US CLARITY Act as a positive development for the sector, particularly for Ethereum, if it facilitates further DeFi activities. The US Senate is set to review this bill on January 15, with a possible passage anticipated in the first quarter.

For traders, this framework suggests that Standard Chartered believes the essential focus should be less about hitting a specific ETH-USD price within the next 12 months and more on whether Ethereum can regain its relative strength against Bitcoin. This dynamic will be influenced by throughput improvements, increased activity in stablecoins, and clearer policies as we move towards 2026 and beyond.

As of the most recent update, Ethereum is trading at $3,126.

Ethereum price chart