Key Takeaways
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VanEck’s Ethereum forecast highlights a potential bear case of $300.
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Tom Lee expects Ethereum to hit $7,000–$9,000 in the near term.
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Some analysts have echoed bullish future predictions.
VanEck’s bearish long-term Ethereum (ETH) price outlook of $300 has resurfaced on social media, while Tom Lee and other bulls continue to predict prices closer to $9,000 in the near-term.
The renewed attention follows VanEck’s viral 2025 Bitcoin price forecast, which sparked debate across the industry with its mega bullish prediction.
VanEck released its Ethereum price predictions in 2024, projecting wide-ranging scenarios that included a bearish case of $300.
While the report is not new, it has regained visibility in light of the firm’s recent Bitcoin 2026 outlook.
In June 2024, VanEck released an Ethereum 2030 price target that provided an extremely low bull case.
Bitmine’s Tom Lee shared the price prediction and claimed he loved the outlook of VanEck’s base and bull case.
Meanwhile, others across social media slammed the outlook, questioning VanEck’s research model.
“What kind of research is this?” said market analyst Ted Pillows.
Another X user wrote: “The range between the numbers is insane.”
In contrast, Fundstrat Global Advisors’ Tom Lee remains bullish on Ethereum, citing institutional adoption and its growing role in the financial ecosystem.
Lee recently told investors that while Ethereum could see a short-term dip to around $2,500, the upside potential is far greater.
“We think that ETH can be $7,000 to $9,000 by the end of January,” Lee said.
Lee has repeatedly emphasized Ethereum’s relative performance to Bitcoin as a key indicator of its potential.
In his latest message to shareholders, he projected that if Bitcoin reaches $250,000, Ethereum could trade between $12,000 and $22,000, depending on historical ratio trends.
More aggressive scenarios see ETH climbing to $250,000 if Bitcoin hits $1 million, he said.
VanEck’s Bitcoin price target caused shockwaves through crypto discussions last week.
The firm said it was anchored by two structural pivots, the settlement pivot and the reserve pivot.
The Settlement Pivot envisions Bitcoin facilitating 5–10% of global international trade by 2050,
Meanwhile, the Reserve Pivot anticipates that central banks may allocate 2.5% of their balance sheets to Bitcoin.
VanEck’s 2050 Bitcoin outlook listed:
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Bear Case: $130,000 per Bitcoin, implying a 2% compound annual growth rate.
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Base Case: $2.9 million per Bitcoin, representing a 15% CAGR.
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Bull Case: $53.4 million per Bitcoin, which would require a 29% CAGR.
While Bitcoin has steadily gained traction among institutional investors, critics note that such extreme valuations assume a radical transformation in global trade settlement.
Recent market developments suggest that both Bitcoin and Ethereum are stabilizing after a volatile start to the year, and some analysts are backing bullish growth.
Lacie Zhang, research analyst at Bitget Wallet, told CCN that Ethereum could reach $7,000 by the end of 2026, slightly echoing Tom Lee’s predictions, with $4,500 over the next few months.
Zhang said the recent stailzation of Bitcoin and Ethereum prices “suggests the market is rebuilding conviction rather than chasing short-term momentum.”
“Both assets appear to be moving into a more sustainable uptrend, supported by steady institutional participation and a macro backdrop that is gradually turning more supportive of risk assets,” she added.
Zhang added that macroeconomic factors may increasingly favor crypto assets:
“Expectations of more accommodative economic policy, combined with lingering questions around central bank independence and a softer U.S. dollar, tend to favor scarce, non-sovereign assets like BTC and ETH,” she said.
She projected a near-term outlook over the next three to five months:
“Bitcoin advancing toward the $120,000 range and Ethereum toward $4,500 as sentiment and inflows improve,” she said.
Adding: “Over a longer horizon into year-end, if these macro and adoption trends persist, Bitcoin could move toward $180,000 and Ethereum toward $7,000.”
Despite optimism, Ethereum’s price remains under pressure, according to CCN analyst Victor Olanrewaju.
“On the daily chart, Ethereum does not look ready for a breakout yet. Price remains locked inside a symmetrical triangle, which keeps ETH in compression mode and favors consolidation,” Olanrewaju said.
He highlighted momentum indicators that point to indecision in the market:
“The MACD supports that view. The 12 EMA and 26 EMA are converging in the same area, which signals indecision and a lack of clear directional momentum,” he said.
Adding: “The Awesome Oscillator (AO) adds another caution flag. Although AO remains in positive territory, it has printed red histogram bars. That combination points to neutral momentum and a fading bullish push.”
Olanrewaju outlined potential bullish near-term price ranges:
“If this structure holds, ETH may keep chopping inside its range, likely fluctuating between $2,900 and $3,441,” he said.
However, he also cautioned on downside risks:
“On the other hand, the downside risk remains sharp. A breakdown below the $3,140 support would weaken the structure significantly. If that happens, ETH could slide toward $2,628.”
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