Standard Chartered has significantly revised its price projections for Ethereum, signaling renewed confidence in the cryptocurrency's long-term trajectory. This bullish shift comes as institutional engagement and a growing trend of corporate treasury accumulation fundamentally reshape the market demand for Ether.
Driving Forces Behind the Optimistic Outlook
The bank's latest forecast now sees Ethereum reaching $7,500 by year-end 2025, a substantial increase from its previous $4,000 target. More strikingly, the 2028 projection has been lifted to $25,000, up from $7,500. This upward revision is primarily attributed to a strengthening industry backdrop, marked by a notable influx of corporate treasuries accumulating Ethereum supply, potentially reaching 10% of the total. The emergence of specialized Ethereum treasury companies and a general uptick in industry engagement are identified as key catalysts, mirroring the pattern of corporate Bitcoin adoption that previously influenced its market perception and liquidity.
Navigating Past Concerns and Future Potential
This optimistic reassessment marks a notable reversal from earlier in 2025, when Standard Chartered had downgraded its forecasts due to concerns over revenue diversion to Layer-2 networks and a slowdown in on-chain activity. However, recent developments suggest these pressures are being offset by new sources of demand. The return of Ethereum to price levels last seen in late 2021, coupled with broader institutional participation in staking, decentralized finance (DeFi), and infrastructure development, reinforces demand stability. The potential for corporate holdings to lock up a significant portion of supply, combined with Ethereum's appeal as a yield-bearing asset, strengthens its investment thesis beyond mere speculative trading, reflecting the evolving interplay between its technical foundations and macro adoption trends.
