Standard Chartered Forecasts Ethereum to Soar Over 500%, Eyeing $25,000 by 2028
London, UK – Standard Chartered, a leading global banking group, has unveiled a bullish projection for Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, anticipating a potential surge exceeding 500% to reach $25,000 by 2028. This forecast, contributed by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research, highlights increasing institutional adoption and expansion in decentralized finance (DeFi) as key catalysts driving Ethereum’s growth.
Ethereum’s current price as of mid-October 2025 hovered near $4,128, making the projected rise to $25,000 a remarkable increase of approximately 505%. Kendrick also commented on the near-term potential for the cryptocurrency, predicting Ethereum could reach $7,500 by the end of this year, reflecting strong momentum in the digital assets space.
Drivers Behind the Surge
Two primary factors underpin this optimistic outlook for Ethereum:
- Institutional and Corporate Accumulation: According to Kendrick, steady accumulation by corporate entities and institutional investors is a sign of maturing confidence in Ethereum as a mainstream asset. This growing demand is expected to help reduce volatility and encourage increased adoption in investment portfolios.
- Growth of Stablecoins and Decentralized Finance: Much of DeFi and stablecoin infrastructure is built on Ethereum’s blockchain. As these sectors flourish—especially with rising stablecoin transaction volumes and decentralized finance applications—Ethereum’s value proposition solidifies, further boosting investor interest.
Broader Context in the Cryptocurrency Market
Standard Chartered’s bullish stance on Ethereum complements its continued optimism about Bitcoin, with previous analyses from the bank forecasting Bitcoin could reach $500,000 by 2029. This prediction is supported by growing institutional and sovereign interest, often via indirect exposure through holdings in firms like Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) that maintain significant Bitcoin positions.
For instance, recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicate institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds from countries such as France, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Norway have increased their Bitcoin-related holdings, signaling a maturing market.
Other Cryptocurrency Projections
Standard Chartered has also issued optimistic forecasts for other digital assets. Notably, the bank predicts that XRP could reach $12.50 by 2028, fueled by anticipated regulatory clarity and the launch of a spot XRP ETF in the U.S. by 2025. Conversely, Ethereum’s 2025 price target was recently adjusted down from $10,000 to $4,000 before rebounding toward the long-term $25,000 expectation.
Implications for Investors
The bank’s outlook represents a clear signal for investors considering cryptocurrency exposure amid evolving regulatory environments and expanding institutional participation. Ethereum’s potential 500% price appreciation aligns with its growing role as both a utility platform powering DeFi applications and a sought-after investment asset.
As cryptocurrency markets continue to mature, Standard Chartered’s forecasts underscore the transformative impact of institutional capital, enhanced regulatory clarity, and technological adoption on driving the next phase of digital asset growth.
Disclosure: Cryptocurrency investments are inherently volatile and subject to regulatory changes. Investors should conduct their own research and consider risk tolerance before investing.