Tom Lee Predicts Ethereum Reaching New Highs: Target $7,000–$9,000 in the Short Term, $20,000 in the Long Term

After a sharp correction at the end of 2025, the cryptocurrency market is entering a repositioning phase with high expectations for the new cycle in 2026. Bitcoin once fell to around $80,000, while Ethereum dropped sharply to approximately $2,600, causing widespread panic. However, many organizations and influential figures remain highly optimistic about the upcoming period. One of the most notable voices is Tom Lee – co-founder of Fundstrat Global Advisors and currently CEO of BitMine, an organization considered the largest Ethereum holder in the world. Tom Lee: Ethereum Is Facing a Major Growth Cycle In a recent interview with CNBC, Tom Lee affirmed that Ethereum has all the conditions to set a new all-time high (ATH) in 2026, thanks to the increasingly strong participation wave of institutional investors. According to Tom Lee, ETH is not just a speculative asset but is gradually becoming the core infrastructure of the on-chain financial system, playing a central role in: Tokenization of real-world assets (RWA)Decentralized finance (DeFi)Digital asset payments, custody, and reconciliationFinancial products on blockchain He emphasized that Ethereum is one of the few platforms capable of directly connecting traditional finance and digital finance, creating real utility rather than just relying on speculation stories. Ethereum Price Target: $7,000–$9,000 This Year In the short term, Tom Lee offers a rather bold forecast: “If financial institutions start tokenizing real assets and on-chain financial projects become operational, Ethereum could reach $7,000–$9,000 within this year.” He believes that institutional capital will not flow into experimental blockchains but will prioritize platforms with: Established ecosystemsHigh securityDeep liquidityWidely accepted in the financial industry Ethereum currently meets all these criteria. Long-Term Vision: Ethereum Could Reach $20,000 Not stopping at the short-term goal, Tom Lee also believes that in the long run, ETH could hit $20,000 if Ethereum continues to play a central role in global financial infrastructure. He compares Ethereum to: The “operating system” of digital financeThe foundational layer for next-generation financial productsA tool to make traditional financial systems more efficient As the scale of tokenized assets increases to tens of trillions of USD, the demand for using Ethereum as a payment and security layer will grow exponentially. BitMine – The “Whale” of Ethereum Aiming to Control 5% of Supply A particular detail that has attracted market attention is that BitMine is not just talking. According to the latest data: BitMine holds 4,110,525 ETH, equivalent to about 3.41% of the total circulating supply of EthereumThis makes it the largest Ethereum holder in the world today Notably, BitMine: Continuously buys more ETH even during market downturnsDoes not sell off when prices drop significantlyAims long-term to hold 5% of the total ETH supply This strategy demonstrates Tom Lee and BitMine’s strong confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value, despite short-term market volatility. Conclusion: Ethereum Is Being Revalued Tom Lee’s insights reflect an important reality: Ethereum is entering a revaluation phase, no longer just an altcoin but a strategic financial infrastructure in the digital age. In the context of: Real assets gradually tokenizingFinancial institutions deepening their involvement in blockchainDemand for decentralized infrastructure increasing Ethereum may not increase “10x overnight,” but it is one of the few assets capable of sustainable growth aligned with the scale of the entire global financial system. If Tom Lee’s scenario comes true, ETH’s current price could just be the starting point for a completely new cycle.