Standard Chartered has sharply raised its year-end 2025 price target for ETH to $7,500, up from $4,000, and projects a potential climb to $25,000 by 2028. The bank cites three key drivers: growing institutional accumulation, new U.S. stablecoin regulations, and planned network upgrades.
Since early June, ETFs and treasury-style buyers have absorbed about 3.8% of all ETH in circulation, sometimes outpacing Bitcoin’s institutional uptake. This steady buying adds long-term demand beyond daily trading flows.
Regulatory clarity is also expected to boost Ethereum’s role in payments and settlements. In July, the U.S. passed the GENIUS Act, the first federal law governing stablecoins. It mandates full liquid-asset reserves and regular public disclosures.
With over half of stablecoins operating on Ethereum and stablecoin transfers generating roughly 40% of its transaction fees, the bank believes clearer rules will attract more activity. Analysts see the stablecoin market potentially reaching $2 trillion by 2028.
On the technology front, Ethereum’s roadmap aims to increase base-layer capacity tenfold, keeping high-value transactions on-chain while smaller ones move to Layer-2 solutions. Standard Chartered also points to stronger participation from core ecosystem developers as a sign of long-term health.
While volatility is inevitable, the bank argues that visible institutional buying, regulatory clarity, and technical upgrades put Ethereum on track for new highs in 2025 and beyond.
According to Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick, the U.S. SEC’s recent approval of several spot Ether ETF applications could open doors for institutional investment. Kendrick noted that the launch of these ETFs, expected by mid-2025, could bring in $15–45 billion in net inflows during their first 12 months.
ETH has already seen strong momentum this year, fueled by optimism over ETF approvals and rising on-chain activity. As of writing, Ethereum trades around $4,687, up significantly from earlier in the year.
If Standard Chartered’s forecast plays out, Ethereum could see a gain of over 140% from its current price, pushing it into uncharted territory and solidifying its position as a leading force in the digital asset market. For now, all eyes are on the SEC’s next moves and how quickly ETF products can hit the market.
