Could Avalanche’s AVAX token be one of the biggest winners in crypto? According to Standard Chartered, the answer is yes! The global banking giant believes AVAX could skyrocket from around $20 today to a massive $250 by 2029—more than 10 times its current price. So, what’s fueling this bullish prediction? Let’s break it down.
The Etna Upgrade: Avalanche’s Secret Weapon
One of the biggest reasons for this potential surge is Avalanche’s recent Etna upgrade (also called Avalanche9000). This upgrade, launched in December 2024, made it cheaper and easier for developers to build on the network. Here’s how:
- Developers can now create their own Avalanche-based blockchains (called subnets or L1s) without needing to stake large amounts of AVAX. Previously, setting up a subnet could cost up to $450,000. Now? Almost zero.
- More developers are joining in—Avalanche saw a 40% jump in developer activity after the upgrade.
- Some developers are even moving from Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions to Avalanche because of its Ethereum compatibility.
Lower Fees & More Adoption
The Etna upgrade also helped reduce transaction fees during low activity periods. However, AVAX fees are still higher than some Ethereum Layer 2s like Arbitrum, so Avalanche will need to attract brand-new apps rather than just copying what already exists on Ethereum. Sectors like gaming and consumer applications could be key to Avalanche’s future growth.
Big Players Are Taking Notice
Avalanche is also making moves in real-world asset tokenization, a hot trend in crypto. Recently, BlackRock’s $1.9 billion tokenized fund (BUIDL) added support for Avalanche, with $52 million already on the network. This could open the door for more tokenized assets to migrate to Avalanche.
AVAX Price Prediction: $250 by 2029?
Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick predicts AVAX will hit these price milestones:
- $55 by end of 2025
- $100 by 2026
- $150 by 2027 (a new all-time high!)
- $200 by 2028
- $250 by 2029
That’s a huge potential gain, and Kendrick believes AVAX will outperform Bitcoin and Ethereum in the coming years in terms of price growth. However, he does warn that AVAX is highly volatile, with its 3-month price swings being about twice as extreme as Bitcoin’s.
Incentives to Boost Growth
To fuel this expansion, the Avalanche Foundation has launched two major programs:
- Retro9000: A $40 million grant fund for developers.
- InfraBUIDL: A $15 million fund focused on AI-related projects.
Final Thoughts: Should You Pay Attention?
Avalanche is positioning itself as a serious contender in the blockchain space. With cheaper access for developers, growing adoption, and major institutional backing, AVAX could be in for a wild ride in the next few years. While nothing in crypto is guaranteed, this is definitely a project worth keeping an eye on!
Will AVAX really hit $250? Let us know what you think!
