Ethereum: Tripled by End of Year?
May 3, 2026
Ethereum: Tripling by the End of the Year?
Standard Chartered predicts a tripling of the Ethereum price to $7,500 by the end of the year, driven by institutional demand and the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade.
Standard Chartered recently raised its ETH price target to $7,500, presenting one of the boldest forecasts in the current crypto cycle. Ethereum is currently trading at around $2,293, highlighting the significant gap between reality and prediction.
Despite strong momentum, certain mathematical calculations might act as a brake. May historically signals positivity for ETH, with average returns of 30 to 35 percent since the cryptocurrency’s launch. Additionally, the recent shift in the ETH/BTC ratio in favor of Ethereum indicates a capital rotation from Bitcoin to altcoins.
However, the unlocking of ERC20 tokens worth around $387.6 million on May 8 could lead to short-term increased volatility. The technical resistance lies at the 200-day moving average of approximately $2,345, just above the current price level.
On the demand side, Spot ETH ETFs support the narrative, with cumulative net inflows of around $11.6 billion since their introduction. The available supply of ETH on exchanges has hit a yearly low, a sign of accumulation by large investors.
The imminent Glamsterdam upgrade serves as a concrete driver. It is expected to reduce gas fees by up to 78 percent and increase processing capacity to 10,000 transactions per second. This could significantly boost institutional usage of the network.
The $7,500 price target by Standard Chartered is based on a clear thesis: increasing demand from institutional buyers, combined with the growing market for tokenized assets. The roadmap extends to 2027 with a target of $15,000 and even $40,000 by the end of the decade.
Other institutions are more conservative in their estimates. Citi maintains a price target of $3,175, VanEck sees $6,000, and Bernstein predicts $5,500 for the current cycle. The range of estimates this spring is unusually wide.
While an increase from $2,293 to $7,500 by the end of the year — a tripling of value — is ambitious, it is feasible with broad market participation and continued ETF inflows.
In conclusion, the Ethereum market presents a mix of optimism and caution. The potential for significant growth remains, driven by various factors such as institutional demand and network upgrades like Glamsterdam. The wide range of predictions reflects the uncertainty and volatility in the crypto space, making it essential for investors to carefully assess the opportunities and risks associated with Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies in the current market environment.
