Solana Could See Significant Growth by 2029, Says Standard Chartered
In a report released Tuesday, Standard Chartered forecasted a promising future for Solana (SOL), predicting it could reach $275 by the end of 2025, a notable increase from its current valuation of $175. By the end of 2029, the bank even anticipates Solana might touch $500. However, these optimistic projections come with a caveat: Solana is expected to underperform against Ethereum (ETH) over the next few years.
A Closer Look at the Forecast
Geoff Kendrick, the head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered, provided insights into the bank’s projections. According to Kendrick, the ether/solana ratio is anticipated to climb from 14 to 17 by the close of 2027 before it starts to decline. This suggests that although Solana might experience substantial growth, Ethereum is expected to outpace it during this period. This aligns with Vitalik Buterin’s vision for Ethereum, where he outlines future developments that could further strengthen Ethereum’s position in the crypto space.
Solana’s current positioning as the blockchain of choice for memecoin trading plays into its valuation. The bank noted that while this sector has driven activity, it also results in significant volatility. Memecoins, known for their speculative nature, have seen a decline in usage on Solana, which Standard Chartered highlighted as a potential concern. “Declining usage and trading ‘cheap’ are not a good mix,” the report stated, signaling caution even as the bank remains optimistic about Solana’s long-term prospects.
The Potential for Solana in New Sectors
Despite these concerns, there’s optimism about Solana’s future. The report from Standard Chartered pointed to the potential for Solana to dominate sectors that require high transaction volumes, low fees, and rapid processing times. These characteristics make it suitable for financial applications and traditional consumer apps. Yet, achieving this scale won’t be an overnight success; it may take years for Solana to fully realize its potential in these areas.
Here’s the catch: While Solana’s speed and efficiency are its strengths, breaking into new sectors will require strategic partnerships and development. The blockchain’s ability to adjust and innovate will be critical in determining how it can leverage its technological advantages. This is reminiscent of the ambitious growth plans for Bitcoin DeFi, which some experts predict could surpass both Ethereum and Solana in user adoption, as discussed in our recent article.
Historical Context and Market Dynamics
Solana’s trajectory in the crypto landscape has been nothing short of dynamic. It gained popularity as a platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), attracting significant interest from developers and investors alike. However, its journey hasn’t been without hiccups, including network outages and scalability challenges. These past issues underscore the importance of technological resilience as Solana looks to expand its market influence.
Interestingly, while Solana navigates these challenges, the broader crypto market has been on a rollercoaster. With regulatory changes and varying investor sentiment, blockchain platforms must adapt quickly. Solana’s ability to do so could determine whether it meets—or even exceeds—Standard Chartered’s projections.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges
The road ahead for Solana is filled with both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, its technical prowess offers a competitive edge in sectors demanding speed and efficiency. On the other, its reliance on memecoin trading and the volatility therein could be a double-edged sword.
Standard Chartered’s optimistic forecast raises questions about whether Solana can diversify and strengthen its use cases. Will it manage to capture significant market share in financial and consumer applications? And can it maintain its technological edge while addressing past network issues?
As we inch towards the end of 2025, these questions loom large. But one thing is clear: Solana’s journey will be one to watch, with potential ripple effects across the crypto ecosystem. For now, the market waits, watches, and wonders what the future holds for this intriguing blockchain contender.
Source
This article is based on: Solana Could Hit $275 by Year-End, $500 by 2029-End: Standard Chartered
Further Reading
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
