Ethereum (ETH) Price Prediction: Analyzing the Path to 2040

#ETH

• Converging Bullish Signals: ETH price is trading robustly above its 20-day moving average ($3,135), with the MACD showing weakening bearish momentum, suggesting a foundation for potential upward movement.
• Powerful Fundamental Backdrop: Record-high network activity, a surge in new users, and major institutional financial commitments (like BitMine's $400M staking income projection) indicate strong underlying adoption and utility growth beyond speculation.
• Long-Term Growth Trajectory: Forecasts suggest a multi-phase appreciation, from a $4.5K-$6K range in 2026 to a potential $100K-$200K+ range by 2040, driven by Ethereum's evolution into a dominant global digital infrastructure and settlement layer.

ETH Price Prediction

ETH Technical Analysis: Bullish Momentum Building Above Key Moving Averages

As of January 17, 2026, ethereum (ETH) is trading at $3,282.01, demonstrating resilience above its 20-day moving average of $3,135.43. According to BTCC financial analyst John, this positioning is a positive technical signal. 'The price holding above the 20-day MA suggests underlying strength and potential for further upside,' John notes. The MACD indicator, while still in negative territory at -149.45 for the signal line and -123.49 for the MACD line, shows a narrowing gap of -25.97, hinting at decreasing bearish momentum. The Bollinger Bands, with an upper band at $3,390.51, a middle band at $3,135.43, and a lower band at $2,880.34, indicate the current price is trading in the upper half of the recent range. 'A sustained break above the $3,390 resistance could trigger a more significant rally,' John adds, pointing to the technical setup favoring a cautiously optimistic near-term outlook.

Ethereum Network Fundamentals Signal Robust Long-Term Health

Recent news flow surrounding Ethereum paints a picture of robust network growth and institutional confidence. Headlines highlight a doubling of network activity and a record influx of new users, suggesting strong adoption fundamentals. 'The surge in daily transactions and new users is a critical metric that often precedes price appreciation,' states BTCC financial analyst John. Furthermore, significant financial maneuvers, such as BitMine projecting $400 million in staking income from a $13.6 billion ETH treasury and a $200 million investment in a venture with MrBeast, underscore the growing institutional and corporate belief in Ethereum's ecosystem and revenue-generating potential. John interprets this as a powerful sentiment driver: 'When large entities commit capital based on future income projections from the network itself, it validates the asset's utility beyond mere speculation. This fundamental strength supports the technical bullish case.' The narrative of market stabilization and key moving averages turning into support, as noted in recent price analyses, further reinforces a constructive environment for ETH.

Factors Influencing ETH’s Price

Ethereum Network Activity Doubles as New Users Flood In

Ethereum's blockchain is witnessing unprecedented growth, with active addresses surging from 4 million to 8 million in just 30 days. Daily transactions hit a record 2.8 million, fueled by stablecoin adoption and Layer 2 scaling solutions that have slashed network fees.

Retention metrics reveal a doubling of returning users, while first-time interactors now dominate the influx. Glassnode data confirms this isn't merely existing users becoming more active—it's a bona fide wave of new participants.

The numbers tell a stark story: Active wallets ballooned from 410,000 to over 1 million year-over-year. Layer 2 rollups and stablecoin transactions account for nearly 60% of the activity spike, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of lower fees and higher throughput.

Ethereum Network Activity Surges as Daily Transactions Hit Record High

Ethereum's network activity has nearly doubled in the past month, with active addresses soaring from 4 million to 8 million. Daily transactions reached an all-time high of 2.8 million—a 125% year-over-year increase—fueled by Layer 2 scaling solutions that drove transaction fees to historic lows.

Stablecoin usage on Ethereum hit record highs, while staking participation surged to 36 million ETH (30% of supply). The momentum extends to ETFs, with spot products recording $175 million in net inflows on January 14. Glassnode data reveals a spike in first-time address interactions, signaling robust organic growth rather than recycled activity.

BitMine Projects $400M Staking Income from $13.6B ETH Treasury, Invests $200M in MrBeast Venture

BitMine Immersion Technology expects to generate over $400 million annually from staking its 4.07 million ETH holdings, now valued at $13.6 billion. The position represents 3.36% of Ethereum's circulating supply—the largest corporate treasury of ether globally.

The company disclosed a $200 million investment in MrBeast's Beast Industries, set to close January 2026. The partnership aims to launch a DeFi-powered financial services platform, capitalizing on BitMine's crypto reserves and Beast's media reach.

Despite claiming $400 million in execution savings through MOZAYXX and trader Tom DeMark, BitMine faces $2.3 billion in unrealized losses on its ETH acquisitions since July. The losses highlight the volatility risk inherent in large-scale crypto treasury strategies.

Ethereum Network Sees Influx of New Users Amid Market Stabilization

The Ethereum network is experiencing a surge in activity driven by new participants rather than increased transactions from existing users. On-chain data reveals a sharp rise in first-time wallet interactions, signaling fresh interest in the ecosystem.

This trend emerges as cryptocurrency markets show signs of stabilization and recovering risk appetite. The growth in new addresses suggests a qualitative shift in network adoption, distinct from the speculative volatility often seen during price swings.

Ethereum Price Analysis for Jan 15: Where Next as ETH’s 50-Day MA Flips to Support?

Ethereum demonstrates strengthening momentum, firmly holding above critical support levels as traders anticipate further upside potential. The cryptocurrency has risen 1.1% over the past 24 hours, trading in a range between $3,281 and $3,386—a sign of constructive price action.

Market participants are closely monitoring ETH's ability to sustain its position above the 50-day moving average, now acting as support. This technical development suggests growing confidence among investors, with the next resistance levels coming into focus.

ETH Price Predictions: 2026, 2030, 2035, 2040 Forecasts

Based on the current technical posture and strengthening fundamental narrative, BTCC financial analyst John provides a long-term perspective on Ethereum's price trajectory. It's crucial to understand that long-term forecasts are inherently speculative and should be viewed as directional guides rather than precise targets, heavily dependent on broader market adoption, regulatory developments, and technological execution.

Near-Term (2026): With ETH currently trading above key moving averages and showing signs of bullish momentum convergence, a realistic target range for the end of 2026 could be between $4,500 and $6,000. This assumes continued network growth and a favorable macro environment for digital assets.

Medium-Term (2030): The full scaling impact of Ethereum's upgrades and deepening institutional integration could propel prices significantly. A conservative to optimistic range for 2030 might be $12,000 to $25,000, factoring in increased utility from decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized assets, and its role as a foundational Web3 platform.

Long-Term (2035 & 2040): Looking further ahead, Ethereum's value will be tied to its dominance as a global settlement layer. By 2035, if it maintains its lead, prices could range from $40,000 to $80,000. By 2040, in a scenario of mass global adoption, projections become more expansive, with potential targets ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 or higher, reflecting its potential status as a cornerstone of the digital economy.

John concludes, 'These projections blend current momentum with a belief in Ethereum's long-term thesis. The recent surge in network activity and institutional commitments are early indicators of the value accrual that could drive these price levels over time.'