Standard Chartered: Microtransactions will raise the price of Solana to $2.000

Standard Chartered has adjusted its view on Solana, projecting a price of $2.000 by 2030 thanks to the transition from memecoins to global micropayments.

The banking institution, which is one of the most influential in the analysis of crypto assets, has adjusted its projections for Solana (SOL), noting that the end of the memecoin era is not the twilight of the network, but the dawn of its true financial utility. 

According to the latest report led by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank's global head of digital asset research, the network is transitioning to a business model based on micropayments and stablecoinsAlthough the bank lowered its price target for the end of 2026 to $250 per SOL —citing a necessary consolidation phase—, its long-term outlook is aggressively bullish: It projects that the network's native cryptocurrency will reach $2.000 per unit by 2030, driven by transactional efficiency that far surpasses its current competitors, including Ethereum.

Solana's structural transition towards real utility

In 2025, Solana became the center of attention within the crypto ecosystem because of the Rise of memecoinsWhat began as a speculative rush fueled by retail euphoria ended up solidifying the network as one of the most active on-chain spaces. Although many considered it a short-term bubble, recent analysis from Standard Chartered indicates that the landscape is changing substantially.

The latest data shows that transaction flow on Solana is evolving. The network is no longer dominated by ephemeral tokens with no tangible value, but rather shows increasing integration of transactions between SOL and stablecoins. This behavior reflects a transition toward more functional use, where both users and developers are beginning to leverage Solana's infrastructure as a a real digital payments system.

Based on this, the report emphasizes that the network has shed its former limited image. Its technical design, focused on speed and ultra-low costs, is opening up space for applications that previously seemed unfeasible in the blockchain environment. Analyst Geoffrey Kendrick explained that capital within the ecosystem is shifting from speculation to stablecoin-backed assets, a move that strengthens the narrative of Solana as an operational foundation for the tokenized economy.

The engine of growth: AI-powered micropayments and stablecoins

Standard Chartered's enthusiasm for Solana can be explained by one central factor: the speed with which it move The stablecoins on its network. According to the bank's data, stablecoins change hands two to three times faster than on Ethereum. This turnover reveals that capital within the Solana ecosystem doesn't remain idle or locked in savings protocols, but rather flows constantly between users and applications, fueling commerce and instant value transfers. This dynamism takes on special importance given the advancement of Artificial Intelligence in the digital economy.

The bank's analysts predict that AI agents will need to process millions of micropayments, each with minimal values, to acquire computing resources, data, or online services. In this context, the efficiency and low cost of transactions on Solana represent a structural advantage. Projects like the x402 protocol confirm that the technological infrastructure underpinning the internet is beginning to shift toward Solana as a platform for global expansion.

Although Standard Chartered believes Ethereum will retain its leadership in real-world assets and institutional adoption in the short term, Solana's ability to scale quickly and affordably strongly projects it toward a dominant role in the mass consumer market by the end of the decade.

Caution in the short term, confidence in the future

Despite long-term enthusiasm, the bank maintains a selectively cautious stance regarding SOL's immediate future. The reduction of the 2026 target to $250 per unit reflects the reality that the widespread adoption of micropayment systems doesn't happen overnight. Infrastructure maturation and greater regulatory clarity are required for traditional businesses to fully embrace these blockchain platforms. 

However, Standard Chartered's timeline is clear, as its analysts predict that Solana's native cryptocurrency will reach $400 in 2027, climb to $700 in 2028, and break the $1.000 barrier in 2029, culminating in the $2.000 milestone by the end of the decade. 

The bank also anticipates a transition period over the next two years. Solana could underperform Ethereum as investors redefine their expectations and adjust to a narrative more focused on practical utility. Even so, Standard Chartered believes this moment presents a strategic opportunity. In an environment where many tokens are losing relevance, projects with real-world applications and consistent capital support, like Solana, are beginning to gain traction. 

In summary, the bank's conviction centers on one core idea: the lasting value of cryptocurrencies will emerge from their ability to silently, quickly, and efficiently transfer money across the digital world.