Quick Takeaways
- Standard Chartered expects Ethereum to outmatch Bitcoin in 2026 despite voiced near-term price targets.
- The bank points to Ethereum’s dominance in stablecoins, DeFi, and tokenized real-world assets.
- Network upgrades and regulatory clarity could reinforce ETH’s long-term leadership.
Standard Chartered has delivered clear content to crypto markets. The bank considers 2026 to be Ethereum’s defining year. Geoffrey Kendrick, Global Head of Digital Assets Research, articulates that Ethereum’s relative fundamentals are improving. He compared the number of bicycles to Ethereum’s breakout form in 2021.
The lookout descends during a cautious time period for digital assets. Bitcoin’s debacle carrying out has limited broader securities industry momentum. Even then, the cant sees Ethereum positioned to outperform peers. Its boom persona in on-chemical chain finance underpins that confidence.
Standard Chartered adjusted its forecasts accordingly. Approximate-terminal figure price quarry was lowered, but long-term sound projection rose.
ETH Price Targets Shift, Foresighted-Term Conviction Rises
The depository financial institution now expects Ethereum to end 2026 near $7,500. That is lower than its earlier $12,000 estimate. Forecasts for 2027 and 2028 were also revised. The bank at once sees ETH reaching $15,000 and $22,000.
However, the retentive-terminal figure outlook works more bullish. Standard Chartered raised its 2029 aim to $30,000. It also introduced a new 2030 target of $40,000. The fault is in pondering growing confidence beyond short-term cycles.
Kendrick stressed the distinction between the absolute price layer and the comparative performance. Ethereum, he aver, should surmount still if markets stay uneven.
Why Ethereum Could Beat Bitcoin
The bank’s thesis centers on Ethereum’s structural advantages. These strengths are not shared evenly across the crypto market. Ethereum dominates stablecoin settlement. It also leads to decentralized finance activity.
Tokenized real-world assets form another pillar. Most RWA issuance already settled on Ethereum. Standard Chartered expects that share to grow. Traditional finance is slowly moving on-chain.
Relative positioning versus Bitcoin also matters. The bank expects the ETH-BTC ratio to trend higher. It sees the ratio moving toward its 2021 highs near 0.08. That would signal renewed Ethereum leadership.
ETF and treasury flows support this view. While inflows slowed overall, Ethereum remains better supported. The report highlighted continued accumulation by BitMine Immersion. The firm now holds roughly 3.4% of circulating ETH.
Network Activity and Upgrades Strengthen the Case
Ethereum’s on-chain activity is setting new records. Transaction counts recently reached all-time highs. Stablecoin usage drives much of that growth. It now accounts for roughly 35% to 40% of transactions.
Network scalability remains critical. Standard Chartered emphasized throughput as a valuation driver. Higher throughput historically correlates with higher market value. Ethereum developers are acting on that relationship.
Recent upgrades play a central role. Hard forks deployed in 2025 expanded network capacity. The Fusaka upgrade in December marked a key step. It followed earlier changes introduced through Pectra.
Together, these upgrades support a faster development cycle. Ethereum is now on a twice-yearly upgrade schedule. The goal is ambitious. Developers aim to scale Ethereum into a trillion-dollar ecosystem.
Regulation and Macro Tailwinds Ahead
Regulatory clarity could further reinforce Ethereum’s outlook. Standard Chartered pointed to proposed U.S. legislation. The bank expects the Clarity Act to advance in early 2026. Passage could improve confidence across digital asset markets.
A stable equity backdrop would also help. Stronger risk appetite often lifts crypto valuations. In that scenario, Bitcoin could still reach new highs. Ethereum would likely benefit alongside it.
Kendrick framed Ethereum as the infrastructure layer of crypto. Its utility goes beyond price speculation. Stablecoins, RWAs, and DeFi all rely on it. That dependence deepens Ethereum’s economic relevance.
A Year Focused on Relative Strength
Standard Chartered’s call is not about short-term hype. It reflects a long structural shift. Ethereum’s fundamentals are fortified proportionally to Bitcoin. Employment, scalability, and regulation all support that trend. While Price volatility will prevail, the direction appears clear.
The bank expects Ethereum to conduct the next phase. If 2026 mirrors 2021, Ethereum could recover narrative control. For investors, proportional carrying out may matter more than crude returns. In that sense, Standard Chartered’s substance is simple.
Ethereum is no longer chasing leadership. The banking company believes it is preparing to rectify it.