Ethereum New Wallet Growth Hits Record High as Standard Chartered Eyes Explosive Move to $7,500 in 2026

Ethereum’s network has seen a significant uptick in new wallet creation, with on-chain data showing an average of 327,100 new wallets being created daily. This growth coincides with the recent Fusaka upgrade, which improved network throughput and reduced transaction costs.

The rise in wallet creation is also linked to increased stablecoin activity on the network, which saw $8 trillion in transfers in the last quarter of 2025. This surge indicates growing adoption of Ethereum-based transactions and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

Standard Chartered has revised its price forecasts for Ethereum, with the bank now predicting the asset could reach $7,500 by the end of 2026. While this is a lower target than its earlier $12,000 projection, the bank sees stronger relative fundamentals for Ethereum compared to Bitcoin.

Why Is This Happening Now?

Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrick, cited Ethereum’s dominance in stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and DeFi as key factors supporting its outperformance in 2026. The bank also noted that Ethereum’s share of stablecoin and RWA activity is growing, with more than half of the market already using the network.

The bank’s report highlighted planned increases in Ethereum’s Layer 1 throughput as a critical factor. The Fusaka upgrade in December 2025 is seen as a step toward scaling Ethereum into a trillion-dollar ecosystem.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely watching Ethereum’s transaction volume and network throughput. The asset’s transaction count recently hit all-time highs, driven largely by stablecoin activity, which accounts for roughly 35% to 40% of transactions.

Whale activity has also increased, with a newly created wallet recently moving 2,400 ETH (worth over $7.52 million) from Binance. This suggests institutional or large retail interest is growing.

Standard Chartered raised its longer-term price targets, forecasting $30,000 for 2029 and $40,000 for 2030. These higher targets reflect expectations of regulatory clarity and broader adoption of Ethereum-based solutions.

What About Regulatory Developments?

Regulatory developments are a key factor in Ethereum’s potential growth. Standard Chartered cited the proposed U.S. Clarity Act as a potential catalyst for the crypto market. The bank expects the bill to pass in the first quarter of 2026, which could boost Ethereum’s appeal alongside Bitcoin.

The Clarity Act is seen as a critical step toward institutional adoption, with Standard Chartered suggesting that its passage could unlock further DeFi development and broader on-chain activity.

What Are the Implications for Investors?

For investors, Ethereum’s structural advantages and ongoing network upgrades present a compelling case for long-term exposure. The bank noted that Ethereum is already the dominant network for stablecoins and RWAs, with this share expected to grow as traditional financial activity moves onchain.

Standard Chartered also highlighted the role of large Ethereum-focused treasury companies like BitMine Immersion, which now holds about 3.4% of the circulating supply. The firm remains on track to reach its 5% target, indicating continued institutional buying.

Despite weaker Bitcoin performance, Ethereum’s relative fundamentals have strengthened. The bank expects the ETH-BTC ratio to return to levels seen in 2021, indicating growing confidence in Ethereum’s future.

What About Market Fundamentals?

Ethereum’s transaction volume has hit record highs, with stablecoin activity driving much of the growth. This trend is expected to continue as more users adopt DeFi and tokenized assets.

The bank also noted that the asset’s Layer 1 throughput improvements are critical. Historical data suggests that higher throughput has directly contributed to higher market capitalization for Ethereum.

With ongoing upgrades and regulatory developments in play, Ethereum’s 2026 outlook is being viewed as a key inflection point in the broader digital asset market.