Ethereum (ETH) recent performance has left many feeling exhausted, but if we extend the timeline to 2026, the situation is completely different.

Many people ask me why I am optimistic about ETH reaching the $20,000 mark. The answer is actually very clear.

**Technical Confidence**

2026 is a critical milestone in Ethereum's development. The upcoming upgrades—including the implementation of Verkle trees—will fundamentally change the network's operation logic. Node costs will drop significantly, and Layer 2 throughput will officially enter the ten-thousand-level era. Imagine a scenario where the public chain is no longer congested, gas fees are so low that they are almost imperceptible, and the truly killer applications of Web3 will emerge where? It will inevitably be Ethereum.

**A New Wave of Institutional Capital**

The current spot ETF is just the beginning. More importantly, as the regulatory framework becomes clearer, giants like BlackRock are very likely to launch staked Ethereum ETFs. This is not just about buying, but locking liquidity long-term through staking. This cycle of "passive locking plus continuous buying" will create unprecedented supply pressure.

**The Big Trend of Asset Tokenization**

BlackRock has already explicitly stated that asset tokenization is the infrastructure of future finance. Currently, 65% of tokenized assets are settled on Ethereum. By 2026, when traditional bonds, funds, and assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars are settled via ETH, its role will upgrade from "cryptocurrency" to the underlying settlement asset of the global financial system.

**From an Investment Perspective**

The current range of $3,000-$4,000 is actually a consolidation phase at the bottom. If the target is $20,000, that means a 5-6x increase. At the end of a major cycle, such a growth potential is entirely possible.

Short-term volatility will be loud, but don’t get off just because of the noise. Ethereum in 2026 will make today’s prices look incredibly cheap.