Standard Chartered has sharply increased its year-end price target for Ether (ETH) to $7,500, up from its previous forecast of $4,000. The upgrade comes amid surging market optimism, rising institutional engagement, and a rapid uptick in Ether holdings in recent months.
Ether Price Surge Driven by Stablecoin Regulation
Ether — the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation — hit a 3.5-year high of $4,700 on Wednesday. Prices have climbed over 50% in the past four weeks, largely fueled by the passage of the Genius Act, a U.S. law creating a regulatory framework for stablecoins.
The legislation has sparked hopes of broader cryptocurrency adoption, with other crypto assets also seeing gains. Stablecoins, which are digital tokens pegged to traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar, are expected to benefit significantly from this regulatory clarity.
Stablecoin Growth Could Boost Ethereum Network Demand
Geoff Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s head of digital assets research, projects that the stablecoin market could expand by 8x by the end of 2028. Since most stablecoins operate on the Ethereum blockchain, this growth could substantially increase transaction fee revenue for the network.
Kendrick noted that Ethereum’s Layer 1 blockchain will be key for processing high-value transactions — particularly those linked to traditional finance. He added that increasing Layer 1 capacity would be crucial for scaling adoption.
Long-Term Forecast Raised to $25,000 by 2028
Alongside the near-term price revision, Standard Chartered also upgraded its 2028 year-end Ether forecast from $7,500 to $25,000. The bank sees a potential shift where Ethereum treasury companies could hold up to 10% of all Ether in circulation, further tightening supply and supporting prices.
Outlook for Ether in 2025 and Beyond
With growing institutional adoption, expanding stablecoin use, and ongoing Ethereum network upgrades, Standard Chartered’s bullish outlook reflects increasing confidence in Ether as both a store of value and a utility asset.
If the forecast holds true, Ether could see a 60% premium from current highs by year-end — and more than 400% growth by the end of the decade.
