Standard Chartered Predicts Ethereum Price to Hit $40,000

TLDR

• Ethereum could reach $40,000 by 2030 according to forecasts.
• Key drivers include stablecoin dominance and network upgrades.
• Ethereum’s transaction volumes have reached all-time highs recently.

Standard Chartered has predicted that the price of Ethereum (ETH) could reach $40,000 by the end of 2030. This forecast comes from a research report authored by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research. Kendrick attributes the prediction to various factors, including ongoing demand from stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and decentralized finance, alongside network upgrades and potential regulatory clarity in the U.S.

Kendrick forecasts that 2026 will be a pivotal year for Ethereum. According to the report, this year will be marked by Ethereum’s outperformance of Bitcoin, despite lower near-term targets. Kendrick projects Ethereum to hit $7,500 by the end of 2026 and rise further to $15,000 by 2027, $22,000 by 2028, $30,000 by 2029, before reaching $40,000 in 2030.

Factors Behind the $40,000 Prediction

Key drivers for the price surge include Ethereum’s dominance in stablecoin settlements, making up 35-40% of transactions. Kendrick also anticipates stablecoin and real-world asset markets to reach $2 trillion by 2028. The report does not directly quote Kendrick from social media or other platforms but mentions an email comment where he refers to 2026 as Ethereum’s pivotal year due to improved fundamentals.

The prediction is also based on anticipated network upgrades, such as the Fusaka upgrade, and potential regulatory clarity through the U.S. CLARITY Act. These developments could further bolster Ethereum’s utility and adoption, facilitating its price rise.

Market and On-Chain Data

Ethereum transaction volumes have reached all-time highs, with stablecoins playing a significant role. The report highlights that Ethereum’s supply pressure at $3,350 has historically limited its upward movement, but recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) relief supported a 7% daily surge to $3,325.

As Standard Chartered’s past forecasts on Ethereum now see revisions upwards, future price movements remain closely watched. Although the Ethereum community and developer sentiment remain unquantified here, the ongoing upgrades and regulatory developments are critical factors to observe.

Industry Comparisons and Institutional Demand

Unlike Bitcoin, which has unchanged forecasts of $150,000 in 2026 and $500,000 by 2030, Ethereum’s revised estimates highlight its expected strength in the market. Kendrick’s report anticipates institutional demand contributing to $4.4 trillion in net inflows, supporting Ethereum’s valuation.

Layer 1 and Layer 2 technologies also contribute to Ethereum’s projected growth. The blockchain’s scalability plans, including a tenfold increase in Layer 1 throughput, add further to the network’s appeal in the eyes of investors and institutions.

Potential Roadblocks and Clarifications

No direct statements from significant crypto leaders such as Arthur Hayes or Vitalik Buterin validate Standard Chartered’s projections. Additionally, there are no immediate regulatory updates from bodies like the SEC, CFTC, or ESMA, apart from the potential passage of the CLARITY Act.

The Ethereum price forecast relies on the anticipated long-term developments within the crypto ecosystem. Until these factors materialize, the market speculates on Ethereum’s trajectory without any explicitly confirmed pathway.