Standard Chartered Lowers Solana 2026 Target, Maintains Long-Term Optimism
Standard Chartered has revised its price target for Solana by reducing it to $250 for the end of 2026, down from $310. However, the bank maintains a positive long-term outlook for the cryptocurrency. The financial institution emphasizes that Solana is transitioning from a focus on memecoin speculation to applications driven by stablecoins and micropayments.
Revised Target for Solana
The new forecast reflects a more cautious evaluation of how quickly Solana can leverage its advantages in transaction cost and speed. Standard Chartered believes that the changes happening within Solana’s ecosystem indicate a strategic shift rather than a cyclical downturn.
- Revised end-2026 price target: $250
- Previous target: $310
- Long-term target for 2030 remains at $2,000
Shifting Activity Dynamics
Geoffrey Kendrick from Standard Chartered pointed out the significant change in the types of activity occurring on the Solana network. Originally, the network’s on-chain activity was dominated by memecoins. Recently, however, there has been a notable shift towards stablecoin trading pairs.
This alteration is viewed as strategically favorable, although the bank notes it may take longer to yield significant revenue. While memecoin trading offers immediate volume spikes, it is often erratic and subject to market fluctuations.
Potential for Micropayments
Standard Chartered highlights that Solana’s ultra-low transaction fees present a compelling advantage for micropayment scenarios, particularly those involving AI-driven transactions, where high costs can be detrimental.
One notable statistic indicates that stablecoin turnover on Solana is currently two to three times higher than that on Ethereum, suggesting that Solana may find a niche in rapid, low-value transfers. However, the bank advises that widespread adoption of new payment protocols will require time.
Long-Term Outlook and Predictions
Despite the short-term adjustment, Standard Chartered forecasts a bullish trajectory for Solana moving forward. The institution predicts price points of:
- $400 in 2027
- $700 in 2028
- $1,200 in 2029
- $2,000 by the end of 2030
The bank anticipates that Solana may outperform Bitcoin later in the market cycle. Overall, while Solana is expected to lag behind Ethereum in the near term, its long-term prospects appear promising, particularly if the demand for micropayments increases.
