Standard Chartered Sees Ether Structure Outpacing Bitcoin With $40,000 Target by 2030

Ether is positioned to eclipse Bitcoin over the coming years, according to Standard Chartered’s latest analysis. While the investment bank recently trimmed its medium-term forecasts for the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency due to broader market softness, it maintained an increasingly bullish longer-term outlook. Most notably, Standard Chartered analysts project ether will reach $40,000 by the end of 2030—a significant milestone that underscores the growing conviction in Ethereum’s fundamental strengths.

Geoff Kendrick, head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered, emphasized that despite near-term headwinds, ether’s structural advantages position it for outperformance. Currently trading around $2,810, ether has faced recent pressure alongside Bitcoin’s softer momentum. Bitcoin remains in the $84,000-$85,000 range as investors digest macroeconomic signals and regulatory developments. However, the bank expects the ETH-to-BTC ratio to climb back toward its 2021 highs over time, reflecting ether’s improving relative position.

Ethereum Structure Advantage: Technology and Ecosystem Strength

The structural case for ether rests on several pillars. Ethereum’s ongoing scaling initiatives are perhaps the most significant—particularly efforts to increase layer-1 capacity roughly tenfold. Standard Chartered’s analysis shows that higher transaction throughput historically correlates with larger market capitalization, positioning the network to capture growing demand as transaction volumes expand. This technological foundation differentiates Ethereum from competitors and strengthens its economic moat.

Beyond raw performance metrics, Ethereum dominates key growth areas: decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and real-world assets. The bank highlighted these as the most promising segments in digital assets, and Ethereum’s entrenched position as the leading platform in these categories bolsters its long-term prospects. Corporate treasuries also play a reinforcing role—entities like Bitmine Immersion continue accumulating Ethereum, creating steady institutional buying pressure that supports price stability and gradual appreciation.

Regulatory Framework: Catalyst for Ecosystem Expansion

A critical catalyst could arrive through U.S. regulatory clarity. The proposed CLARITY Act, which would establish a comprehensive framework for digital assets, is advancing through Congress. Should this legislation pass—potentially in the first quarter—it would unlock the next phase of DeFi growth by clarifying Ethereum’s regulatory status and reducing legal uncertainty for developers and protocols.

Kendrick noted that clearer regulatory structure would particularly benefit Ethereum-based applications in the DeFi space. Combined with resilient U.S. equity markets, such regulatory progress could create favorable conditions for the entire digital asset sector, with Bitcoin seeing upside to new highs in the first half of 2026. For ether, regulatory clarity removes a key overhang that has constrained institutional participation and DeFi protocol development.

Market Dynamics and Medium-Term Adjustments

Standard Chartered did moderate its ether price targets for 2026 through 2028, reflecting ongoing market volatility and the outsized influence of Bitcoin’s performance on the broader crypto complex. Crypto exchange-traded funds have seen slower inflows recently, while some altcoins like XRP have outperformed with double-digit gains. Total crypto market capitalization has stabilized above $3 trillion, indicating persistent investor interest despite macro and regulatory uncertainty.

However, the bank’s decision to raise 2030 targets signals confidence that medium-term weakness represents a consolidation phase rather than a structural challenge. As Ethereum’s scaling solutions mature and regulatory frameworks solidify, the structural advantages baked into the protocol should increasingly drive adoption and value creation. This narrative places ether on a trajectory to materially surpass Bitcoin’s performance over the next several years, rewarding investors who maintain conviction through the current cycle’s volatility.