ETH price is up 70% – is it a long-term performer?
The world's second biggest crypto is giving investors a run for their money.
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Ethereum has jumped roughly 70% in the last six weeks, leaving some traders wondering whether it's time to buy in or if they've missed the mark.
Comparatively, the world's biggest cryptocurrency Bitcoin is up just 8% since July 1 and 17% since the start of the year.
The main driver has been US President Trump's passing of the Genius Act in July, creating clearer regulations for the mainstream use of dollar-pegged stablecoins in payments, many of which run on the Ethereum network.
This has led to growing institutional demand for crypto assets alongside the rise of Ethereum spot ETFs.
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How Ethereum differs from Bitcoin
While Bitcoin is often viewed as a hedge against inflation and store of value (like gold) Ethereum is more like the infrastructure powering Web3.
Its smart contracts enable everything from decentralised finance (DeFi) to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and tokenised assets. That means Ethereum’s value is tied not just tied to speculation but to the utility of its underlying technology.
This distinction has helped Ethereum carve out a different role in the crypto landscape. Whereas Bitcoin dominates as a macro asset, ETH underpins the emerging digital economy.
Is ETH’s rise sustainable?
While not everyone is convinced the rally will last, Ethereum has some big name supporters.
Last week, UK banking giant Standard Chartered increased its price target for ETH from US$4,000 to US$7,500, an impressive 65% increase before the year is out.
By 2028, it predicted ETH would rise to US$25,000 from its previous forecast of just US$7,500.
In a recent Finder survey of industry experts, panelists forecast ETH would rise to an average of US$4,308 by the end of 2025 and US$10,882 by 2030.
Supporters point to the Ethereum blockchain's real world use in payment systems and as the backbone of decentralised finance (DeFi).
Ethereum's adoption by mainstream institutions, including crypto ETFs and ETH treasury companies are also key price drivers.
Bears say ETH's price is overheated and reaching a tipping point.
Ultimately, whether ETH’s rally holds will depend on continued adoption, the success of ETFs in drawing long-term inflows, and how well Ethereum handles growing transaction demand.
How to buy Ethereum in Australia
If you’re considering investing, exchanges like Kraken make it straightforward to buy and hold Ethereum.
Kraken was the first exchange to offer Ethereum in 2015, back when Ethereum was still off the radar for everyday investors.
Fast forward to today and Kraken has streamlined the ETH trading experience, offering AUD deposits, a range of order types, and strong security features to help safeguard your crypto.
As always, remember that crypto remains a high-risk asset, and it’s worth doing your research before diving in.
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