The upcoming market for Ethereum is being pulled by multiple forces — there are strong logical supports for an upward trend, as well as potential suppressive factors. Based on various information, these key features are worth focusing on:
I. Overall Outlook is Optimistic: Short-term looks above $3,000, long-term may break $20,000
Experts predict a 'stepwise increase': Most institutions believe Ethereum will continue to rise, with an average target price of about $4,308 by the end of 2025; looking further ahead, it is expected to reach $10,882 by 2030 and may even break $22,374 by 2035. This reflects long-term confidence in its ecological resilience (DeFi, Layer2, staking economy).
Technical 'support - target' pathway: If it can stabilize at the key support level of $2,400, it may challenge $3,000-$3,300 in the short term; if it breaks resistance in the medium to long term, $4,000-$5,000 will be the next important threshold.
II. Concerns Remain: Institutions Adjust Expectations, Competitiveness Becomes the Focus
Not all voices are bullish. Standard Chartered recently cut its year-end forecast for Ethereum from $10,000 to $4,000, with the core reason being: Ethereum's 'dominance in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space is declining' — the diversion of emerging public chains and Layer2 partially replacing the mainnet has raised market concerns about whether its 'ecological moat' is weakening. This concern about 'diminished competitiveness' may become a factor suppressing prices in the short term.
III. Supply and Demand Provide 'Hard Support': Selling pressure decreases, buying interest increases
Supply side 'reduction': Over 30% of ETH is staked on the Beacon Chain (not freely sellable), and the inventory of ETH on exchanges has dropped to nearly a 9-year low — the selling pressure in circulation has significantly decreased, equivalent to 'less goods in the market'.
Demand side 'increasing positions': Institutions and large holders are accelerating purchases: listed companies are including ETH in their asset allocation, and large investment institutions are increasing their holdings through ETFs; this 'real money' entry provides tangible support for prices.
Summary: Upward momentum dominates, but two key points need close attention
Overall, Ethereum's upward logic is more solid (supply-demand improvement + long-term ecological expectations), but there are still uncertainties in the short term:
Whether it can stabilize at the $2,400 support level — this is the 'stepping stone' for starting the short-term market;
Whether institutional sentiment reverses — if more institutions follow suit in adjusting expectations, it may delay the upward pace.
For investors, two signals are worth focusing on: remain optimistic if the support level holds, but be cautious of short-term pullback risks if it breaks; in the long term, it can be positioned on dips, as the overall direction of supply-demand improvement and ecological iteration remains unchanged.
