Tag Archives: price

The Dark Side of Altcoins: Collusion, Price Manipulation, and the CEX Problem

The Dark Side of Altcoins: Collusion, Price Manipulation, and the CEX Problem

The cryptocurrency market, once a beacon of hope for financial innovation and transparency, is now facing a crisis of confidence that threatens its very foundation. As we move through 2025, it has become obvious that the altcoin sector is plagued by a toxic mix of collusion, price manipulation, and a glaring lack of transparency—especially on centralized exchanges (CEXs). The result is a market that feels increasingly rigged, where genuine price discovery is rare and retail investors are left holding the bag. I watched this industry evolve from its idealistic beginnings to its current state, I believe the time for self-reflection and reform is now, before the damage becomes irreversible.

The Mechanics of Manipulation in 2025

The most insidious problem in today’s altcoin market is the collusion between project teams and market makers. In theory, market makers are supposed to provide liquidity and stability, but in practice, many have become partners in manipulation. The process is disturbingly simple: project teams allocate large amounts of tokens to market makers at deep discounts before a token generation event (TGE). These market makers then orchestrate artificial price pumps at launch, creating the illusion of demand. Retail investors, seeing the price action, rush in—only to see the token’s value collapse as insiders dump their holdings.

The numbers in 2025 are staggering. In my own observation, most of the newly launch altcoin have lost 95% of their market cap. This is not a fluke or a reflection of poor project quality; it is a direct result of coordinated manipulation. The median altcoin launched in 2024-2025 is down by at around 70% from its TGE price. This pattern is so consistent that it has become a running joke among traders: “Buy the rumor, sell the TGE, and pray you’re not the last one out.”

Centralized Exchanges: The Silent Enablers

Centralized exchanges, which still control roughly more than half of the global crypto market cap, are at the heart of this crisis. Despite their dominance, most CEXs have done little to address the manipulation happening on their platforms. The incentives are clear: listing fees and trading volumes are lucrative, and exchanges benefit from the volatility and hype that manipulated launches generate.

Transparency is sorely lacking. While some exchanges have made token efforts to publish proof-of-reserves or improve listing standards, these measures are often superficial. The reality is that order books can be spoofed, wash trading is rampant, and the true nature of liquidity is hidden behind closed doors

This lack of transparency is fundamentally at odds with the ethos that drew so many to crypto in the first place. Bitcoin’s original promise was a system where trust was replaced by cryptographic proof and open ledgers. In 2025, the altcoin market feels more like a casino run by insiders than a transparent, decentralized financial system.

This is also reflected in the poll that I have conducted, 82.4% of the respondents think that CEX should held to a higher standard and they should lead by example to help the crypto industry.

The Human Cost: Confidence in Freefall

The impact of this dysfunction is not just financial—it is deeply personal. I have spoken with countless retail investors who entered the market in good faith, only to be burned by the same cycle of hype, manipulation, and collapse. Many have lost significant savings, not because they made reckless bets, but because the system was stacked against them from the start.

This erosion of trust is now quantifiable. According to a poll on X conducted by me, 63% of respondents believe that most altcoin prices are manipulated, and 37% have reduced or stopped investing in new token launches altogether.

The Absurdity of TGE Pricing

Perhaps the most glaring symptom of the current malaise is the absurdity of TGE pricing. In a rational market, the price of a new token should reflect its utility, adoption prospects, and the fundamentals of the project. Instead, TGE prices are set at levels designed to maximize returns for insiders and early backers, with little regard for long-term sustainability.

The result is a predictable crash. New tokens losing more than half its value within the first two weeks of trading become a norm. This is not just a problem for speculators; it undermines the entire process of capital formation and innovation in the crypto space. When every new launch seems like a trap for retail investors, genuine projects struggle to attract long-term supporters.

The Failure of Self-Regulation

For years, the crypto industry has argued that self-regulation is preferable to government intervention. But the events of 2024 and 2025 have shown that self-regulation is, at best, a myth. The industry’s inability—or unwillingness—to police itself has created a Wild West environment where bad actors thrive and honest participants are left disillusioned.

Just this morning, I warned my community that “the industry is eating itself alive,” and that unless meaningful reforms are enacted, both retail and institutional investors will continue to flee. My warning is echoed by community members who acknowledge that the status quo is unsustainable.

The Case for Reform: Transparency and Decentralization

So, what can be done to restore trust and legitimacy to the altcoin market? In my view, the answer lies in a renewed commitment to transparency, decentralization, and investor protection.

First, centralized exchanges must be held to higher standards. This means real-time publication of order flows, full disclosure of market maker relationships, and transparent token allocation data. Exchanges should be required to implement robust surveillance systems to detect and prevent manipulation, and to cooperate with independent audits. Some progress is being made—several exchanges have begun publishing more detailed transparency reports —but these efforts are still the exception rather than the rule.

Second, the industry must accelerate the shift toward decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and on-chain trading. While DEXs currently account for about 25% of trading volume, they offer a level of transparency and auditability that CEXs simply cannot match.

Every trade is recorded on a public blockchain, making it much harder to conceal manipulation. Uniswap v4 and dYdX have shown that it is possible to build liquid, efficient markets without relying on centralized intermediaries.

Based on a poll that I have done, 74.3% of the respondents think the industry must shift to DEX. I believe more and more people understand the importance of decentralization.

Third, token launches need to be fundamentally reformed. This could include longer vesting periods for insiders, transparent allocation disclosures, and mechanisms to ensure fair price discovery—such as open auctions or liquidity bootstrapping pools. Some projects are experimenting with “fair launches,” where tokens are distributed via community-driven mechanisms rather than private sales. While not a cure-all, these approaches represent a step in the right direction.

My Perspective: Why I Still Believe in Crypto

Despite the current malaise, I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of crypto. The technology that underpins digital assets—blockchain, smart contracts, decentralized finance—still has the potential to revolutionize the global financial system. But for that potential to be realized, the industry must confront its demons.

As an observer and participant in the crypto space, I have seen both the best and worst of what this market has to offer. I have witnessed the excitement of genuine innovation, the thrill of new possibilities, and the power of community-driven projects. But I have also seen the damage wrought by greed, collusion, and a lack of accountability.

The choice facing the industry is stark. It can continue down the current path, sacrificing trust and legitimacy for short-term gains. Or it can embrace reform, transparency, and a renewed commitment to the values that made crypto compelling in the first place.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The crisis of trust in the altcoin market is not an abstract problem; it is a clear and present danger to the future of digital assets. Collusion between project teams and market makers, abetted by the opacity of centralized exchanges, has created a market where manipulation is the norm and genuine price discovery is the exception. The result is a loss of confidence, a flight of capital, and a growing sense of disillusionment among investors.

But it does not have to be this way. By demanding greater transparency, embracing decentralization, and supporting thoughtful regulation, the industry can chart a new course. The road ahead will not be easy, and there will be resistance from those who benefit from the status quo. But the alternative—a market defined by manipulation and mistrust—is unacceptable.

I urge industry leaders, regulators, and investors to seize this moment. The future of digital assets depends on our willingness to confront hard truths, to demand better, and to build a market worthy of the ideals that inspired its creation. Only then can we restore trust, unlock innovation, and realize the promise of a truly decentralized financial system.

 

Source: https://www.securities.io/the-dark-side-of-altcoins-collusion-price-manipulation-and-the-cex-problem/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Price analysis 1/20: SPX, DXY, BTC, TRUMP, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, LINK

Price analysis 1/20: SPX, DXY, BTC, TRUMP, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, LINK

Bitcoin BTCUSD hit a new all-time high above $109,500 on Jan. 20, after the odds for a strategic Bitcoin reserve skyrocketed to 69% on DeFi betting market Polymarket.

The newly launched Trump family-related memecoins, Official Trump (TRUMP) and Official Melania (MELANIA), have also seen massive interest from the cryptocurrency trading community. Intergovernmental blockchain expert and author Anndy Lian told Cointelegraph that the memecoin launches will usher in a “new era for memecoins and altcoins.”

Euphoric times offer several trading opportunities, but they come with a risk. Vertical rallies are generally non-sustainable and are followed by sharp pullbacks. The deep pullback in TRUMP and Solana’s (SOL) volatility suggests that traders should exercise caution.

Can Bitcoin recapture its all-time high and trigger buying in altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts to find out.

S&P 500 Index price analysis

The S&P 500 Index (SPX) reversed strongly last week and broke above the moving averages, indicating that the break below 5,853 on Jan. 10 may have been a bear trap.

The 20-day exponential moving average (5,934) has flattened out, and the relative strength index (RSI) has risen into positive territory, suggesting a balance between supply and demand. Sellers are expected to fiercely defend the zone between 6,050 and 6,100.

If the price turns down from the overhead zone, the index may form a range between 6,050 and 5,853. The next trending move is expected to begin on a break above 6,100 or below 5,773.

US Dollar Index price analysis

The US Dollar Index once again took support at the 20-day EMA (108.62) on Jan. 15, indicating that every minor dip is being purchased.

The RSI is showing signs of forming a negative divergence, suggesting that the bullish momentum is weakening. Sellers will have to yank the price below the 20-day EMA to open the doors for a deeper fall to 108 and then to the 50-day SMA (107.32).

Contrarily, a break and close above 110.17 will signal the continuation of the uptrend. The index could rally to 113.14 and eventually to 114.77. Buyers may find it challenging to clear the 114.77 hurdle.

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin rebounded off the 20-day EMA ($99,257) on Jan. 20 and skyrocketed to a new all-time high of $109,588.

If buyers maintain the price above $108,353, it will suggest the start of the next leg of the uptrend. The bulls will then try to thrust the price toward $126,706.

On the contrary, if the price fails to sustain above $108,353, it will suggest that the bears are fiercely defending the level. Sellers will have to pull the price below the moving averages to weaken the bullish momentum. The BTCUSDT pair could then consolidate between $109,588 and $90,000 for a few days.

Official Trump price analysis 

Due to the enormous popularity and volatility of the TRUMP memecoin, Cointelegraph is providing short-term analysis. A 30-minute chart has been used since there is little price history to look to for deeper insights.

The TRUMPUSDT pair has dipped below the symmetrical triangle pattern, signaling that the bulls are losing their grip. If the price maintains below the uptrend line, the pair could tumble to $38. This is a critical level to watch out for in the near term because a break below it may sink the pair to $24.

On the contrary, a strong bounce off the current level will suggest buying at lower levels. The bulls will then try to push the pair back into the triangle. Buyers will be back in command on a close above the downtrend line.

Ether price analysis

Ether (ETH) bulls are defending the neckline of the head-and-shoulders pattern but are facing selling near the 50-day SMA ($3,537).

The downsloping 20-day EMA ($3,362) and the RSI near the midpoint indicate a slight edge to the bears. A break and close below $3,125 could accelerate selling, pulling the ETHUSDT pair toward $2,850.

Buyers will have to push and maintain the price above the 50-day SMA to indicate that the selling pressure is reducing. The pair could then rally to $3,745, which is likely to behave as a stiff hurdle.

XRP price analysis

XRP (XRP) bounced off the breakout level of $2.91 on Jan. 20, indicating that the bulls are trying to flip the level into support.

The XRPUSDT pair is likely to pick up momentum after buyers push and sustain the price above the $3.40 overhead resistance. That could start the next leg of the uptrend toward the pattern target of $4.84.

The first sign of weakness will be a break and close below the 20-day EMA ($2.75). The pair may then sink to the 50-day SMA ($2.46). This is an important level to watch out for because a drop below the 50-day SMA could start a decline to $2.

BNB price analysis

BNB (BNB) has been trading between the uptrend line and the overhead resistance at $745 for the past few days.

The flattish moving averages and the RSI just below the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. If the price rises above the moving averages, the BNBUSDT pair will again attempt to rally above $745. If that happens, the pair could surge to $794.

Contrarily, a break and close below the uptrend line will signal that the bulls are closing their positions. That could sink the pair to the $635 support, which is likely to attract solid buying by the bulls.

Solana price analysis

Solana has been hugely volatile for the past two days, indicating an intense battle between the bulls and the bears.

The upsloping 20-day EMA ($214) and the RSI near the overbought zone suggest that buyers are in command. A close above $260 improves the prospects of a retest of the all-time high at $295. If this level is scaled, the SOLUSDT pair may surge to $300 and eventually $375.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down and breaks below $229, it will signal that the bulls are rushing to the exit. The pair may then drop to the 20-day EMA. A deep correction is likely to delay the start of the next leg of the uptrend.

Dogecoin price analysis

Dogecoin (DOGE) has been rising inside an ascending channel pattern for the past few days, indicating buying on dips and selling on rallies.

The 20-day EMA ($0.36) is flattening out, and the RSI is near the midpoint, signaling a balance between supply and demand. If the price dips below the channel, the DOGEUSDT pair could slide to the $0.27 to $0.23 support zone. Buyers are expected to fiercely defend the zone.

The bulls will be back in the driver’s seat on a close above the channel. That could clear the path for a rally to $0.48. Sellers are expected to vigorously defend the $0.48 level because a break above it may propel the pair to $0.59.

Cardano price analysis

Cardano (ADA) has been trading inside the symmetrical triangle pattern, indicating indecision between the bulls and the bears.

It is difficult to predict the direction of the breakout with certainty as the flattish moving averages and the RSI just above the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears.

If buyers drive the price above the triangle, the ADAUSDT pair could pick up momentum and rally to $1.33. If this level is crossed, the rally could extend to $1.64. On the other hand, a break and close below the triangle could sink the pair to $0.80.

Chainlink price analysis

Chainlink (LINK) bounced off the 20-day EMA ($22.72) on Jan. 19, indicating that the sentiment remains positive, and traders are buying on dips.

The LINKUSDT pair rose above the $26 overhead resistance on Jan. 20, indicating that the bulls remain in control. If the price sustains above $26, the pair could retest the overhead resistance at $31.

Instead, if the price fails to maintain above $26, it will suggest selling on rallies. The bears will have to tug the price below the 20-day EMA to signal strength. That increases the risk of a fall to $20.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

 

Source: https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:a8013c3aa094b:0-price-analysis-1-20-spx-dxy-btc-trump-eth-xrp-bnb-sol-doge-ada-link/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Ethereum Price Prediction 2025–2030: Will ETH Reach $5,000?

Ethereum Price Prediction 2025–2030: Will ETH Reach $5,000?

Ethereum has shown strong performance lately, with its price currently at $3,308.34, marking a +50.03% increase year-to-date (YTD).

This growth is attributed to the overall bullish crypto sentiment, with Bitcoin (BTC) testing new all-time highs, the increased popularity of Ethereum spot ETFs, and Pectra and Dencun upgrades improving Ethereum’s scalability and efficiency.

So, what is the Ethereum price prediction for 2025 and beyond? Analysts expect the ETH price to fluctuate between $3,300–$5,050 in 2025, driven by continued technological advancements and growing institutional adoption.

This Ethereum price forecast provides a detailed ETH price analysis, experts’ outlook, and future projections.

Ethereum Price Prediction Overview

 

Year Price Targets Key Factors
2025 $3,300–$5,050
  • Continued technological advancements
  • Increased institutional adoption
2026 $4,350–$9,900
  • Growing DeFi and NFT ecosystems
  • Enhanced market sentiment
2030 $9,850–$79,600
  • Widespread blockchain adoption
  • Macroeconomic trends and Ethereum’s dominance in Web3

Ethereum Price Analysis

 

Recent Events Affecting ETH Price

In 2024, Ethereum has seen key developments that significantly impacted its ecosystem and its role in institutional finance. A major highlight was the approval of the first spot Ethereum ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in May, with trading starting in July.

These spot ETFs directly track Ethereum’s price, offering investors a simpler way to gain exposure to the asset, which is expected to attract significant institutional inflows​. The best Ethereum ETFs include the Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH) and the Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW).

Moreover, the Dencun upgrade was set to enhance scalability and lower transaction costs on the Ethereum network. This upgrade, particularly through Proto-Danksharding (EIP-4844), reduced gas fees for Layer 2 rollups, making Ethereum more efficient and competitive.

Current State of Ethereum

Ethereum experienced a wild ride in 2024, fluctuating from a low of $2,113.93 on January 3, 2024, to a high of $4,093.17 on December 6, 2024. Although it’s lost 9% from its latest peak price, currently at $3,308.34, the short-term Ethereum outlook remains positive.

Ethereum technical analysis from CoinCodex showed a bullish sentiment for ETH price, as of December 10, 2024.

The important support levels to watch were $3,551.26 and $3,387.16, with the strongest level at $3,162.40. Resistance was expected at $3,940.12, $4,164.88, and $ 3,286.07.

Technical indicators suggested that ETH’s 200-day SMA could rise in the next month and reach $2,966.88 by January 09, 2025. Ethereum’s short-term 50-day SMA was expected to hit $3,757.45 simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which signals whether a cryptocurrency is overbought (above 70) or oversold (below 30), was at 58.81 at the time of writing, which indicated that Ethereum was in a neutral position.

According to CoinCodex’s short-term Ethereum price projection, the price of Ether could grow by 14.57% and hit $4,280.21 by the beginning of January 2025.

When looking at price performance over the past five-year period, Ether has outperformed its competition.

However, Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX-C), and Bitcoin (BTC) have led over the past three-year, one-year, and year-to-date periods.

According to the Fidelity Digital Assets Research via Coin Metrics, as of November 11, 2024:

“It is possible that Ether may have just been overextended and needed a repricing relative to its competitors, but it could also be showing a shift in overall market preference.”

Ethereum Price Forecast for the Next 30 Days

With Bitcoin being at the center of attention recently with its new all-time high, Ethereum crypto is also aiming to beat its price record set in November 10, 2021.

The following Ethereum price predictions are based on our proprietary estimation technology. Our analysts use mathematical and statistical methods of prediction based on the existing historical data. The ETH forecasts and estimated price targets are updated every day.

Date Potential Low Average Price Potential High
December 21, 2024 $3,309.13 $3,309.86 $3,313.86
December 22, 2024 $3,309.92 $3,311.38 $3,319.40
December 23, 2024 $3,310.70 $3,312.88 $3,324.89
December 24, 2024 $3,311.48 $3,314.40 $3,330.42
December 25, 2024 $3,312.29 $3,315.94 $3,336.05
December 26, 2024 $3,313.05 $3,317.41 $3,341.43
December 27, 2024 $3,313.82 $3,318.90 $3,346.86
December 28, 2024 $3,314.62 $3,320.45 $3,352.50
December 29, 2024 $3,315.40 $3,321.95 $3,357.97
December 30, 2024 $3,316.19 $3,323.46 $3,363.48
December 31, 2024 $3,316.96 $3,324.95 $3,368.94
January 1, 2025 $3,317.80 $3,326.57 $3,374.84
January 2, 2025 $3,318.49 $3,327.89 $3,379.67
January 3, 2025 $3,319.37 $3,329.59 $3,385.85
January 4, 2025 $3,320.13 $3,331.06 $3,391.22
January 5, 2025 $3,320.94 $3,332.62 $3,396.92
January 6, 2025 $3,321.61 $3,333.91 $3,401.61
January 7, 2025 $3,322.45 $3,335.52 $3,407.50
January 8, 2025 $3,323.31 $3,337.17 $3,413.53
January 9, 2025 $3,324.11 $3,338.72 $3,419.17
January 10, 2025 $3,324.73 $3,339.92 $3,423.56
January 11, 2025 $3,325.58 $3,341.56 $3,429.53
January 12, 2025 $3,326.38 $3,343.10 $3,435.16
January 13, 2025 $3,327.07 $3,344.43 $3,440.02
January 14, 2025 $3,327.87 $3,345.97 $3,445.64
January 15, 2025 $3,328.68 $3,347.52 $3,451.28
January 16, 2025 $3,329.61 $3,349.31 $3,457.81
January 17, 2025 $3,330.31 $3,350.66 $3,462.73
January 18, 2025 $3,331.04 $3,352.08 $3,467.93
January 19, 2025 $3,331.90 $3,353.73 $3,473.93

ETH Price Prediction for 2025

  • Price outlook: Expected range for 2025 is $2,900 (low) to $5,050 (high), with an average of $3,300.
  • Potential upside: ETH could surpass $5,000 if institutional investments grow and regulatory clarity improves.
  • Driving factors: Network upgrades, DeFi and layer-2 growth, broader blockchain adoption, and market volatility due to global economic and geopolitical conditions​

In 2025, Ethereum’s price will be influenced by several factors, including network upgrades and macroeconomic conditions.

Technically, ETH may experience resistance near $3,700 as it continues to test critical support levels around $2,700.

The broader crypto market’s trajectory and potential adoption of blockchain technology by major institutions will also drive demand. Global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions could increase volatility across crypto markets.

Still, Ethereum’s growing role in DeFi and layer-2 solutions might push ETH toward a more bullish trend. If institutional investments increase and crypto regulations become clearer, Ethereum could reach $5,000 in 2025, surpassing its 2021 all-time high of $4,800, according to our estimates.

However, our Ethereum price prediction for 2025 forecasts a low of $3,300, a high of $5,050, and an average price of $4,175.

Meanwhile, a panel of experts at Finder.com, a renowned comparison website, offers an ETH price prediction that sees the world’s #2 cryptocurrency hit $6,105 by 2025.

Although Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, doesn’t give exact ETH price targets, he maintained a bullish outlook on Ethereum even during its latest dip in price.

“Ethereum has the most active developers, the most active users, and a market cap that is 5x bigger than its closest competitor. It’s the only programmable blockchain that has a modicum of regulatory support in the U.S., with a booming regulated futures market and a multi-billion-dollar ETF market.”

“It’s like the Microsoft of blockchains,” Hougan added.

Speaking of Ethereum price forecast for 2025, Sparsh Jhamb, Plena Finance CEO, suggested looking back at the last bull run. He told Cryptonews:

“When Bitcoin hit its all-time high of $69,000, its market cap was about $1.3 trillion. Ethereum, as usual, wasn’t far behind and had a market cap of $575 billion, which was 44% of Bitcoin’s market cap at the time.”

“Now, if Bitcoin reaches $250,000 in the next bull run, its market cap would shoot up to around $4.9 trillion (based on the circulating supply of about 19.66 million BTC). If Ethereum holds even 35% of Bitcoin’s market cap—a bit less than last time—it would still have a market cap of about $1.72 trillion. With an estimated 120 million ETH in circulation by 2025, that would put Ethereum’s price around $14,335. This is a bit lower than the 44% dominance we saw in the last cycle, but it’s still massive growth.”

Anndy Lian, an Intergovernmental Blockchain Expert, told Cryptonews:

“By 2025, Ethereum, with its transition to proof-of-stake and growing utility in decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs, could see prices between $5,000 and $8,000.”

Vijay Pravin Maharajan, CEO and Founder of bitsCrunch, maintains a similar price target:

“Looking ahead to 2025, $8,000 is a reasonable target, given how Ethereum has underperformed in this bull market, relative to Bitcoin. However, Ethereum’s price trajectory will hinge on the success of addressing the network’s longstanding fragmentation issue, which has been exacerbated by the conveyor belt of Layer 2 solutions coming to market.”

According to a recent Gemini Institutional Insights report, a new Ethereum Layer 2 solution is launched approximately every 19 days, raising concerns about liquidity fragmentation and the dispersal of tradable assets across multiple platforms. Maharajan explained:

“While L2 rollups have been essential for Ethereum’s development, many of these rely on centralized sequencers, which result in liquidity silos and restrict value capture on Ethereum’s main network.”

ETH Price Prediction for 2026

  • Price outlook: Expected range for 2026 is $4,350 (low) to $9,900 (high), with consolidation around $7,125.
  • Potential upside: Broader adoption in DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 could drive substantial growth.
  • Driving factors: Blockchain integration into global finance, sectoral adoption, geopolitical developments, regulatory clarity, and macroeconomic stability.

By 2026, Ethereum could see significant growth as blockchain technology becomes more integrated into global finance and decentralized applications (dApps). The adoption of Ethereum in sectors like DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 will likely fuel demand.

Rob Viglione, Co-Founder of Horizen Labs told Cryptonews:

“Despite Ethereum’s dominance trending downward since summer 2024, the asset will likely show incredible buoyancy in 2025. With Ethereum’s unmatched ecosystem controlling over half of DeFi’s total value locked and its expanding layer-2 networks, the foundation remains strong.”“The potential approval of staking in ETH ETFs, increased institutional adoption under a crypto-friendly SEC in 2025, and growing tokenization efforts from major players like BlackRock could provide significant tailwinds. Combined with Ethereum’s technical maturity and network effects, these factors suggest strong upside potential despite recent underperformance.”

Geopolitical factors and regulatory clarity in key regions, such as the US and Europe, will also play pivotal roles in determining price action. If macroeconomic conditions, such as inflation and interest rates, stabilize, Ethereum may experience a steady upward trend.

However, economic instability or geopolitical tensions could lead to increased volatility across crypto markets.

​Based on current technical indicators, in 2026, Ethereum is likely to consolidate around $7,125, with strong support near $4,350, while facing resistance around $9,900.

Meanwhile, Geoff Kendrick, analyst and Head of Crypto Research at the Standard Chartered Bank, predicted that Ethereum could hit $8,000 by 2026.

He labeled this as only a “stepping stone” on the way to a larger valuation of $26,000–$25,000, with no timeframe given for this larger valuation.

bitsCrunch’s Maharajan believes that by 2026, Ethereum’s position as the backbone of Web3 could push its price even higher, “potentially in the range of $15,000, as Layer 2 solutions further mature and institutional interest in Ethereum ETFs strengthens.”

Lian echoes this forecast, suggesting that “Ethereum may benefit from Layer 2 scaling solutions, potentially reaching $8,000–$15,000.”

However, Plena Finance’s Sparsh Jhamb is less optimistic. He said:

“By 2026, we’ll probably be entering the next bear market—something that usually happens after a big bull run. But this time, things might not be as dramatic. With institutions and even governments starting to adopt Bitcoin and Ethereum, we could see a more stable market compared to previous cycles.”

ETH Price Prediction for 2030

  • Price outlook: Expected range for 2030 is $9,850 (low) to $79,600 (high), with an average price around $12,000.
  • Potential upside: Ethereum could achieve new highs driven by mainstream blockchain adoption, scalability improvements, and institutional participation.
  • Driving factors: DeFi and enterprise adoption, post-halving market dynamics, enhanced scalability, regulatory clarity, market volatility, and geopolitical stability.

Outlining the Ethereum price prediction for 2030, we might expect ETH’s price to be significantly higher, driven by widespread adoption in DeFi and enterprise solutions. Historically, post-halving cycles have triggered bullish runs across crypto markets, and Ethereum is likely to follow this pattern.

Given its previous cycles, Ethereum could experience a similar surge in 2030, much like after the 2021 bull run. With blockchain adoption becoming mainstream by then, Ethereum’s price could average $12,000, testing resistance near $20,000.

Factors like improved scalability and institutional adoption will play crucial roles in sustaining this momentum. Broader geopolitical stability and regulatory clarity in key markets will further support Ethereum’s growth.

If these trends hold, Ethereum could see unprecedented highs, making it a central asset in the global digital economy—if not, it could face lows of $4,600.

According to VanEck’s long-term ETH price prediction:

“Ethereum may emerge as a powerhouse among digital assets, with a predicted token price of $11.8k by 2030. Ethereum’s unique approach combines a globally distributed infrastructure, smart contract capabilities, and a digital commerce model that enables trustless transactions.”

Finder’s panelists support VanEck’s bullish stance on Ethereum, expecting ETH to hit $12,059 by 2030.

Looking further into Ethereum’s future, Sparsh Jhamb said:

“If Ethereum captures about 30% of Bitcoin’s market cap, it would have a market cap of $3 trillion to $4.5 trillion. With an estimated 120 million ETH in circulation, Ethereum’s price would range from $25,000 to $37,500, reflecting its continued strength as a foundational blockchain for decentralized applications and smart contracts.”

“These projections may sound ambitious, but with Ethereum’s rapid adoption and immense potential, they’re entirely achievable.”

According to Vijay Pravin Maharajan, “Ethereum’s price could climb to $20,000 or more, but intense competition from other blockchains and periods of market volatility present omnipresent challenges.”

Anndy Lian maintains a similar view, saying that “Ethereum, as the backbone of Web3, might exceed $20,000 by 2030.”

Denis Vasin, Co-Founder of Storm Trade, told Cryptonews without giving exact price targets:

“If we look years ahead, the growth of Ethereum’s potential at the expense of L2 will be reflected in its value. As a result, we may see a steady growth due not to instant speculation, but to fundamental changes in the economics of using this platform.”

Will Ethereum’s Protocol Upgrades Affect the ETH Price?

Ethereum’s upcoming protocol upgrades, notably the Pectra upgrade, aim to enhance network efficiency and user experience.

Pectra combines the Prague and Electra upgrades, introducing features like EIP-3074, which integrates traditional wallets with smart contracts through account abstraction. This integration simplifies transactions and reduces gas fees, potentially increasing user adoption.

Historically, such enhancements have positively influenced Ethereum’s price by attracting more users and developers. For instance, the Dencun upgrade in March 2024 improved scalability, leading to a price surge.

Commenting on Pectra’s impact on Ethereum’s future, Vijay Pravin Maharajan told Cryptonews:

“The Ethereum network is gearing up for its most impactful update since The Merge with the upcoming Pectra upgrade, which could be a transformative milestone for the Ethereum ecosystem. Set for early 2025, Pectra is geared towards improving scalability and accessibility. The completion of Ethereum’s scalability upgrades will be critical to enhancing transaction throughput and reducing costs, attracting more developers and users to the ecosystem.”

However, Christine Kim, a Vice President of the Research team at Galaxy Digital, does not expect the Pectra upgrade to have a significant influence on Ethereum’s value. She said:

“As with any network-wide upgrade on Ethereum, there will likely be heightened volatility in ETH around the time of Pectra and the potential for negative swings in price should there be any unexpected bugs or failures related to the upgrade.”

Still, she believes that the likelihood of an unsuccessful Pectra upgrade is slim as the code changes undergo extensive battle testing before activation on the mainnet, and Ethereum protocol developers have vast experience.

“Therefore, barring temporary volatility in ETH leading up to and shortly following the upgrade, the code changes in Pectra related to fixing various parts of the protocol are not anticipated to have a prolonged positive or negative impact on ETH value.”

Ethereum History: Key Milestones

  • 2015: Ethereum launched, introducing smart contracts and dApps.
  • 2016: The DAO hack led to the Ethereum/Ethereum Classic split.
  • 2017: ICO boom propelled Ethereum’s price above $1,400.
  • 2018: Market correction followed 2017’s ICO boom, Ethereum’s price declined.
  • 2019: Ethereum focused on scalability with the Istanbul upgrade.
  • 2020: Beacon Chain launch began Ethereum’s shift to proof-of-stake (PoS).
  • 2021: The Merge completed Ethereum’s transition to PoS.
  • 2023: Shanghai upgrade enabled staking withdrawals, enhancing user flexibility.
  • 2024: Dencun upgrade focused on reducing transaction costs; Ethereum spot ETFs approved.

What’s Next for Ethereum?

Ethereum’s value in the coming years will be influenced by several key factors, including its dominance in dApps, the adoption of L2 scaling solutions, and macroeconomic conditions.

According to a consensus analysts’ outlook compiled in this article, Ethereum could continue its upward trend in the long term. Ethereum price projections range from around $5,000 in 2025 to exceeding $20,000 by 2030. This long-term ETH price forecast foresees an integration with Web3 ecosystems and a continued increase in on-chain activity.

Meanwhile, potential risks for the future of Ethereum include regulatory challenges, increased competition, or setbacks in scalability. How the network adapts to ever-changing market demand and developer requirements remains to be seen.

 

Source: https://cryptonews.com/price-predictions/ethereum-price-prediction/

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j