Ethereum’s native token ether (ETH) could surge to US$40,000 by the end of 2030, significantly outpacing Bitcoin over the long term, according to a new forecast from global bank Standard Chartered. The projection reflects the bank’s bullish view on Ethereum’s fundamentals and its dominant role in decentralised finance, stablecoins and tokenised assets.
Standard Chartered’s digital assets research team, led by Geoffrey Kendrick, outlined the updated price outlook in a January 12 research note that also reframed Ethereum’s short- and medium-term trajectory. While the bank lowered its near-term price targets, forecasting ether to finish 2026 around US$7,500 (down from a prior US$12,000 forecast), it raised its long-term outlook, projecting ETH could climb to US$15,000 in 2027, US$22,000 in 2028, US$30,000 in 2029 and $40,000 by the end of 2030.
Standard Chartered analysts argue that 2026 could mark a turning point for Ethereum relative to Bitcoin, even in a crypto market currently weighed down by weaker performance from major assets. According to the bank, several structural factors strengthen ETH’s long-term case: its central position in decentralised finance (DeFi), dominance in stablecoin settlement, and expanding activity in real-world asset tokenisation are cited as key drivers of future demand.
The bank also highlighted that the ETH/BTC ratio, a measure of Ethereum’s value relative to Bitcoin, could gradually return to levels seen in 2021 if Ethereum continues to deepen its ecosystem advantages. Standard Chartered noted that ongoing improvements to the Ethereum network, including plans to increase transaction throughput, as well as potential regulatory clarity such as the anticipated U.S. Clarity Act, may further support growth over time.
While Bitcoin remains the largest and most recognised digital asset, Standard Chartered’s forecast suggests that Ethereum’s diversified utility model could lead to superior performance in the long run. The bank’s price projections reflect expectations that the broader crypto economy will evolve beyond simple store-of-value narratives to include sophisticated on-chain financial systems where Ethereum plays a central role.
