Ethereum price prediction for 2026 reaches $7,500+ as Tom Lee leads with $88M ETH buy. Could Zero Knowledge Proof’s $100M ready-built network offer a 100x alternative?
Ethereum (ETH) is heading into 2026 with growing interest from major financial players. Tom Lee’s Fundstrat has recently made headlines by adding $88 million worth of ETH at $3,200, raising its total holdings to more than 4.17 million ETH, around 3.45% of the total circulating supply. Lee believes ETH is severely undervalued at current levels, predicting prices of $7,000 to $9,000 in the short term and as much as $60,000 over the longer run.
But while Ethereum builds toward a potential 2-3x increase over the coming years, another contender is gaining attention. A new privacy-first blockchain known as Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) has entered the market with $100 million of development already completed before any tokens were sold. Analysts suggest ZKP could achieve 100x gains in the same timeframe Ethereum reaches its projected targets. Here’s a closer look at the ETH forecast for 2026 and why ZKP might offer a powerful alternative.
Why Tom Lee Expects Ethereum to Surpass $7,500
Tom Lee presents a long-term growth story for Ethereum, focusing on institutional utility rather than short-term speculation. His company Bitmine is not only holding ETH but also staking more than 1.25 million coins, generating estimated annual returns between $93 million and $100 million.
Several major developments support Lee’s ethereum price prediction:
- Stablecoin Settlement Expansion: If stablecoins grow from the current $200 billion level toward the $2 trillion goal proposed by regulators, Ethereum is likely to benefit from increased transaction fees linked to USDT and USDC usage.
- Strong ETF Demand: BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) now holds $11.1 billion in assets, trading roughly $190 million daily. Consistent inflows above $300 million per month could continue to push demand.
- Layer-2 Solutions Adding Value: Technologies like Arbitrum and Optimism are helping scale Ethereum without reducing activity on the mainnet, supporting network fees and demand.
- Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs): Ethereum’s infrastructure is well-positioned for the tokenization of traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and treasury products, strengthening its case as a base layer for digital finance.
Geoff Kendrick from Standard Chartered estimates Ethereum could reach $7,500 by 2026, $30,000 by 2029, and potentially $40,000 by 2030. Tom Lee offers an even more aggressive take, predicting $60,000 in the medium term, and up to $250,000 in ideal conditions, a 78x jump from current levels.
Ethereum Price Prediction: $4,500 to $7,500 Most Likely in 2026
A more realistic forecast for 2026 lies somewhere in the middle:
Base Case ($4,000–$5,000):
- ETF flows remain steady
- Stablecoin growth continues
- Layer-2 networks expand smoothly
- DeFi total value locked (TVL) stays above $50 billion
Expected Upside: 25–56% from $3,200
Optimistic Case ($7,000–$9,000):
- ETF inflows maintain $300M+ monthly
- Large-scale adoption of tokenized RWAs
- Stablecoins grow to $400 billion+
- Regulatory clarity improves
Expected Upside: 118–181% from $3,200
Most probable price range for 2026: $4,500 to $7,500, reflecting gradual institutional growth without extreme price spikes.
Can Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) Deliver 100x While Ethereum Climbs?
Ethereum may offer steady gains, but ZKP is aiming for a very different outcome. It targets a specific problem Ethereum can’t address: enabling private, large-scale computation without making user data public.
What sets ZKP apart:
- $100M Infrastructure Completed Pre-Sale: Instead of raising funds to build, ZKP invested $100 million of its own capital to develop the core technology first. That includes a working testnet, shipping hardware, and partnerships before any tokens were sold.
- Solves AI Privacy Limitations: Sectors like healthcare and finance need AI tools but can’t share sensitive data on public blockchains. ZKP enables AI models to run on encrypted data using zk-SNARK and zk-STARK cryptography, technology Vitalik Buterin has said is more important than anything else in the blockchain space.
- Working Partnerships Before Token Sale: The Miami Dolphins are already using ZKP to analyze player performance while protecting biometric data, showing real-world functionality in a high-pressure environment.
- Path to 100x Returns: Experts believe ZKP’s token price could rise from its current auction range of $0.05–$0.10 to $5–$10, if it captures just 5% of the $100 billion AI privacy market over 3–5 years.
ZKP Also Offers Features ETH Doesn’t
ZKP’s structure adds multiple layers of value:
- Auction Advantage: Early participants lock in lower prices, with each 24-hour auction window closing permanently at the end of the day.
- Proof Pods: $249 plug-and-play devices that earn ZKP coins through validated AI computation processes.
- Referral Rewards: A 20% bonus for referring others and a 10% bonus for the new participant.
ETH to $5,000 vs ZKP to 100x: What’s the Better Opportunity?
Ethereum’s journey to $5,000 by 2026 is backed by growing institutional support and real-world use cases. The higher $7,500+ target is still on the table if regulatory and technological conditions align. Tom Lee’s boldest predictions extend beyond 2030 and require nearly perfect execution.
On the other hand, ZKP represents a different kind of opportunity. With a fully operational product, live users, and a token priced far below its potential market valuation, the project could see 50-100x returns in the time it takes ETH to double.
Both paths are open:
- Ethereum: Accessible on major crypto exchanges and through ETF platforms.
- ZKP: Available via a live presale auction distributing 200 million tokens daily, where each round locks in final pricing.
Rather than choosing between them, some are choosing how to split their allocation.
Explore Zero Knowledge Proof:
Website: https://zkp.com/
Auction: https://auction.zkp.com/
X: https://x.com/ZKPofficial
Telegram: https://t.me/ZKPofficial
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Krasimir Rusev is a journalist with many years of experience in covering cryptocurrencies and financial markets. He specializes in analysis, news, and forecasts for digital assets, providing readers with in-depth and reliable information on the latest market trends. His expertise and professionalism make him a valuable source of information for investors, traders, and anyone who follows the dynamics of the crypto world.