The cryptocurrency landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, and institutional confidence in digital assets continues to grow. Global financial powerhouse Standard Chartered has recently released a bold five-year price forecast for three major cryptocurrencies—Avalanche (AVAX), Bitcoin (BTC), and Ethereum (ETH)—with AVAX emerging as the standout performer. According to the bank’s projections, Avalanche could deliver over a 1,200% increase in value by 2029, significantly outpacing both Bitcoin and Ethereum in relative gains.
This optimistic outlook has sparked renewed interest in Avalanche’s long-term potential, particularly among investors seeking high-growth opportunities within the blockchain ecosystem.
Standard Chartered’s 2025–2029 Price Projections
Standard Chartered’s research team has laid out a clear trajectory for Avalanche’s price development:
- 2025: $55
- 2026: $100
- 2027: $150
- 2028: $200
- 2029: $250
Starting from its current trading level of approximately $20, this forecast implies a staggering 1,200%+ return over five years. Such growth would position AVAX as one of the most dynamic performers in the crypto market.
For context, Bitcoin is projected to rise from $200,000 in 2025 to $500,000 by 2028, where it is expected to stabilize through 2029. Ethereum’s path is more gradual, with estimates moving from $4,000 in 2025 to $7,500 by 2028 and holding steady into the final year.
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While BTC and ETH remain foundational assets, the data suggests that AVAX may offer superior relative appreciation potential during the next bull cycle.
Why Avalanche Could Outperform
What sets Avalanche apart in Standard Chartered’s analysis is not just price momentum—but structural innovation. The bank highlights Avalanche’s unique architecture and recent technological upgrades as key drivers behind its bullish stance.
Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, stated:
“One positive of the tariff noise is that it gives us a chance to re-set and pick winners for the next upswing in digital asset prices. And I think Avalanche will be another winner, perhaps the winner in EVM [Ethereum Virtual Machine] chains.”
Kendrick points to the Etna upgrade—also known as Avalanche9000—as a game-changer. Activated in December 2024, this enhancement drastically reduced the cost of launching subnets (now referred to as Layer 1 blockchains on Avalanche) from up to $450,000 down to nearly zero. This democratization of blockchain deployment has already led to measurable growth in developer engagement.
Key developments post-upgrade include:
- 40% increase in developer activity since Etna’s activation
- One-quarter of active subnets now Etna-compatible
- Rising migration of teams from Ethereum Layer 2 solutions due to lower overhead and EVM compatibility
These factors signal strong network effects taking root—a critical indicator of long-term viability.
Competitive Edge Against Ethereum and Bitcoin
Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily functions as digital gold, or Ethereum, which dominates smart contracts but faces scalability challenges, Avalanche positions itself as a scalable, interoperable platform for enterprise-grade and consumer-facing decentralized applications.
Standard Chartered illustrates AVAX’s projected dominance through ratio metrics:
- The BTC-to-AVAX ratio is expected to fall from 3,636 in 2025 to 2,000 by 2029
- The ETH-to-AVAX ratio should drop from 73 to just 30 over the same period
A declining ratio means AVAX is gaining value faster than both BTC and ETH. In other words, fewer AVAX tokens will be needed to equal one BTC or ETH—clear evidence of outperformance.
Though Avalanche’s fees can still be higher than some Ethereum L2s like Arbitrum, the bank believes its ability to attract entirely new applications—particularly in gaming, DeFi, and social platforms—will drive sustained demand.
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These terms reflect high-volume queries from investors and researchers tracking institutional sentiment and technological shifts in Web3.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Standard Chartered’s price target for Avalanche by 2029?
Standard Chartered forecasts AVAX to reach **$250 by the end of 2029**, representing more than a 1,200% increase from its current price around $20.
How does Avalanche compare to Ethereum and Bitcoin in these projections?
While Bitcoin is expected to hit $500,000 and Ethereum $7,500, Avalanche is projected to grow at a much faster relative rate. Ratios show AVAX gaining ground on both—indicating stronger momentum despite starting from a lower base.
What is the Etna upgrade and why does it matter?
The Etna upgrade (Avalanche9000), launched in December 2024, slashed subnet creation costs from up to $450,000 to nearly zero. This has boosted developer adoption, lowered barriers to entry, and accelerated innovation on the network.
Is Avalanche safer than other altcoins?
No investment is risk-free. However, Avalanche benefits from strong institutional backing, EVM compatibility, robust security via its consensus mechanism, and increasing real-world use cases—all positive indicators compared to many speculative altcoins.
Why would developers choose Avalanche over Ethereum Layer 2s?
Despite higher fees than some L2s, Avalanche offers full Layer 1 status, customizable blockchains (subnets), and seamless integration with existing Ethereum tools. Teams building standalone applications—especially in gaming and consumer tech—find this flexibility highly attractive.
Can AVAX really outperform Bitcoin?
In terms of percentage growth, yes—especially given its lower market cap and recent upgrades. While Bitcoin remains a stability anchor in crypto portfolios, high-potential Layer 1s like Avalanche are better positioned for explosive upside during market rallies.
Final Outlook: A New Era for High-Performance Blockchains
Standard Chartered’s endorsement marks a pivotal moment for Avalanche. As traditional finance increasingly embraces blockchain innovation, networks that combine scalability, low deployment costs, and strong developer ecosystems stand to benefit most.
With the Etna upgrade fueling a surge in subnet creation and developer interest, Avalanche appears well-positioned to capture significant market share—particularly among projects seeking independence from Ethereum’s congestion and high gas fees.
While volatility remains higher than Bitcoin, AVAX’s projected trajectory reflects growing confidence in its long-term utility and competitive edge.
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As institutional analysts refine their digital asset strategies for 2025 and beyond, Avalanche emerges not just as a contender—but as a potential leader among EVM-compatible ecosystems. For forward-looking investors, the coming years may offer a rare opportunity to participate in a transformative phase of decentralized technology.