In a recent analysis, Standard Chartered Bank has projected a remarkable trajectory for Avalanche’s native token, AVAX, forecasting a surge to $250 by the end of 2029. This prediction suggests a potential increase of over 1,200% from its current trading price of approximately $18.
Avalanche’s Unique Scaling Approach
Geoff Kendrick, Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, attributes this optimistic outlook to Avalanche’s innovative scaling strategy. Unlike other blockchain platforms that rely on traditional scaling solutions, Avalanche employs dedicated Layer-1 app networks, previously known as subnets. This approach is designed to enhance transaction speeds and reduce costs, thereby attracting more users and developers to the platform.
Kendrick noted, “Avalanche’s current small market cap means that incremental development improvements can have a big impact. As a result, we see AVAX outperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum in terms of relative price gains.”

Projected AVAX Price Milestones
Standard Chartered’s forecast outlines a series of price milestones for AVAX over the coming years:
Year | Projected Price |
---|---|
2025 | $55 |
2026 | $100 |
2027 | $150 |
2028 | $200 |
2029 | $250 |
Market Context and Comparisons
As of early April 2025, AVAX is trading at approximately $18.68, reflecting a significant decline of about 87% from its all-time high of $147.50. In comparison, Bitcoin is currently priced near $82,650. Standard Chartered’s projections indicate that while Bitcoin’s price may quintuple to $500,000 by 2029, AVAX’s growth could be more substantial in relative terms.
Factors Influencing AVAX’s Potential Growth
Several factors contribute to the bullish outlook for AVAX:
Etna Upgrade: In December 2024, Avalanche implemented the Etna upgrade, significantly reducing the cost of setting up subnets from $450,000 to nearly zero. This enhancement has led to a 40% increase in developer activity on the platform.
Developer Migration: The upgrade has made Avalanche more attractive to developers, particularly those transitioning from Ethereum Layer-2 solutions. The platform’s compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) facilitates this migration, allowing developers to utilize existing tools and codebases with minimal adjustments.

Market Capitalization: With a current market capitalization of approximately $7.67 billion, AVAX’s relatively small size implies that technological advancements and increased adoption could have a pronounced impact on its price.
Industry Perspectives
The broader cryptocurrency community has taken note of Standard Chartered’s projections. While some view the forecasts as ambitious, others see them as a reflection of Avalanche’s technological innovations and growing adoption. The bank’s analysis underscores the platform’s potential to carve out a significant niche in the blockchain ecosystem.
Summing Up
Standard Chartered’s forecast positions Avalanche’s AVAX token as a potential outperformer in the cryptocurrency market over the next several years. The combination of innovative scaling solutions, strategic upgrades, and increasing developer interest supports this optimistic outlook. However, as with all cryptocurrency investments, potential investors should conduct thorough research and consider market volatility before making investment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Avalanche (AVAX)?
Avalanche is a decentralized blockchain platform that aims to provide high throughput and low latency for decentralized applications (dApps). AVAX is the native utility token used for transaction fees, staking, and governance within the Avalanche network.
What are subnets in Avalanche?
Subnets, or subnetworks, are a unique feature of Avalanche that allows the creation of customized, interoperable blockchains. They enable developers to launch dedicated blockchains tailored to specific applications or use cases, enhancing scalability and flexibility.
How does the Etna upgrade impact Avalanche?
The Etna upgrade, implemented in December 2024, significantly reduced the cost of setting up subnets on Avalanche. This reduction has led to increased developer activity and has made the platform more accessible for launching new projects.
Is AVAX a good investment?
While Standard Chartered’s projections for AVAX are optimistic, it’s essential for investors to conduct their own research and consider the inherent volatility of the cryptocurrency market before making investment decisions.
Glossary of Key Terms
Blockchain: A decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers in a way that ensures security and transparency.
Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM): A runtime environment for executing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. Compatibility with the EVM allows developers to deploy Ethereum-based applications on other platforms.
Staking: The process of participating in a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain network by holding and locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency to support network operations, such as validating transactions.
Decentralized Applications (dApps): Applications that run on a decentralized network, combining a smart contract and a frontend user interface.
Market Capitalization: The total value of a cryptocurrency, calculated by multiplying its current price by its circulating supply.