Standard Chartered’s ena price prediction for Ethena (ENA) is $1.10 by the end of 2027, with a further move to $2.00 in 2028; from ENA’s price of about $0.20 on Gate on October 27, 2026, that implies roughly 450% upside if Ethena can expand USDe supply, grow protocol revenue, and turn that revenue into token demand through its proposed buyback mechanism. For sophisticated crypto investors and traders evaluating ENA’s valuation or trading its long-term outlook, that makes the key question less about short-term sentiment and more about whether Ethena’s core fundamentals can support the forecast.
ENA has recently fallen from a September high near $0.29 to around $0.20, suggesting the market is still absorbing earlier gains and potential token supply pressure. At the same time, Ethena has pushed changes to its token economics, including a revenue-linked buyback framework and adjustments to investor token unlocks, which directly affect long-term valuation.
This analysis focuses on the factors most likely to drive ENA’s next major move: Standard Chartered’s forecast, the link between USDe stablecoin supply and ENA price, buybacks and unlock schedules, current technical price trends, and how traders can act on that view on Gate.com. For anyone weighing the token’s risk-reward, these inputs matter because they shape both ENA’s upside potential and the dilution, execution, and revenue risks that could prevent it from reaching $1.10 in 2027.
Why Does Standard Chartered’s Ethena Price Prediction Suggest ENA Will Reach $1.10 in 2027?
On September 30, 2026, Standard Chartered published its first research forecast covering Ethena. According to an institutional research report, the bank sees substantial growth potential in the yield-bearing stablecoin market and believes ENA’s buyback mechanism could improve the token’s ability to capture value from the Ethena ecosystem.
Standard Chartered’s year-end ENA price targets are as follows:
| Forecast Year | ENA Price Target | Potential Upside From $0.20 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.42 | Approximately 110% |
| 2027 | $1.10 | Approximately 450% |
| 2028 | $2.00 | Approximately 900% |
Note: Potential returns are calculated using $0.20 as a common reference price for comparison. They are not guaranteed investment returns.
The central idea behind these forecasts is the potential connection between Ethena’s business expansion and the economic value of the ENA token.
First, Standard Chartered expects USDe supply to potentially reach approximately $40 billion by 2028. As the stablecoin’s supply grows, Ethena may have a larger asset base from which to generate revenue, potentially supporting higher protocol earnings.
Second, Ethena has been developing a mechanism that links part of its revenue to ENA market buybacks. If USDe supply reaches the required thresholds, a portion of protocol income could be allocated to token purchases, creating demand tied to the ecosystem’s operating performance.
Standard Chartered’s valuation thesis suggests that sustained growth in revenue and buyback activity could support a higher ENA price, particularly as the relationship between annual buyback spending and token market capitalization evolves.
However, both the $40 billion USDe supply projection and the $2.00 ENA target for 2028 are forecasts rather than achieved operating results. The $1.10 target for 2027 similarly depends on future business expansion.
ENA Trades Near $0.20: How Far Is It From $1.10?
According to the Gate ENA/USDT daily chart, ENA traded mainly around $0.08 in mid-August 2026 before entering a strong upward phase. The token subsequently reached a local high near $0.29 in late September.
Prices then began to retreat. Throughout October, ENA made several recovery attempts, but the broader pattern continued to show lower highs. As of October 27, ENA was trading near $0.202, approximately 30% below its previous peak.
At this price, reaching Standard Chartered’s 2027 target of $1.10 would require an increase of roughly 445%, meaning ENA would need to trade at approximately 5.4 times its current level.
Such a large difference indicates that a short-term technical rebound alone would be insufficient to justify the forecast. The market would need to see renewed USDe supply growth, improving protocol revenue, and measurable progress toward the implementation of the buyback mechanism.
From a technical perspective, ENA has recently consolidated around $0.19–$0.21. Elevated trading volume during the earlier rally reflected strong market interest, but the subsequent decline in activity suggests that participants are waiting for new catalysts.
The current price near $0.20 is therefore better viewed as a starting point for evaluating Ethena’s changing fundamentals rather than evidence that the token is already on a path toward $1.10.
Why Is Synthetic Dollar (USDe) Supply Growth Critical to ENA’s 2027 Price Forecast?
USDe is the core product of the Ethena ecosystem. Its supply directly affects the scale of assets the protocol can manage and deploy, while also determining whether the conditions for activating the ENA buyback mechanism can be met.
Unlike stablecoins backed primarily by conventional fiat reserves, USDe uses a synthetic dollar structure involving digital asset collateral, derivatives hedging, and other eligible yield-generating allocations, a system that also carries liquidity shortages and smart contract vulnerabilities. The protocol’s earning capacity depends on factors such as asset scale, market funding rates, portfolio composition, operating costs, and counterparty risk.
One reason Standard Chartered is optimistic about Ethena is the protocol’s effort to diversify its revenue sources beyond traditional crypto basis trading. Potential sources include real-world assets, institutional lending, and other financial strategies that could reduce reliance on a single market environment.
However, USDe supply growth is unlikely to follow a straight line.
According to market supply data, USDe’s circulating supply was approximately $4.95 billion on October 27. This remained substantially below its previous peak of nearly $15 billion, indicating that supply had contracted considerably.
For Ethena to achieve the longer-term expansion projected by Standard Chartered, it will need to attract renewed stablecoin demand while maintaining competitive yields, and the market’s total value locked can also influence protocol utility.
If USDe supply grows sustainably, the protocol’s deployable asset base and potential revenue could increase, creating a stronger foundation for ENA buybacks. Conversely, heavy competition from established stablecoins can weigh on demand for newer synthetic dollars, while overall crypto market liquidity and regulatory shifts can affect DeFi protocols; regulatory clarity remains essential, because regulatory pressures can limit operations or expansion. As always, any such outlook involves risk and readers should assess forecasts independently.
Can Ethena’s Buyback Mechanism Drive ENA Higher?
In August 2026, the Ethena Foundation proposed adjustments to ENA’s token economics, including linking a portion of protocol revenue to ENA market buybacks. The related governance vote subsequently passed, becoming an important component of Standard Chartered’s long-term investment thesis.
According to Ethena’s official governance proposal, the buyback framework is tied to USDe circulating supply, with the first activation threshold set at $7.5 billion.
Once that threshold is reached, revenue would be allocated according to the approved framework. Under the proposal, 95% of the relevant net income allocated to the foundation would be directed toward ENA buybacks, while the remainder would support ecosystem growth.
This does not mean that 95% of Ethena’s total net protocol revenue is already being used to purchase ENA. Actual allocations remain subject to supply thresholds, revenue calculations, and governance rules.
As of October 27, USDe supply was approximately $4.95 billion, leaving a gap of around $2.55 billion to the initial $7.5 billion threshold. That means supply would need to grow by approximately 52% from its current level to reach the first activation condition.
Although the buyback framework has received governance approval, the market still needs to see USDe supply meet the required conditions before it can evaluate the mechanism’s sustained impact on ENA demand.
The mechanism’s importance lies in its potential to connect token demand with Ethena’s operating performance. In DeFi, staking and fee-sharing are common ways to create intrinsic token demand, and this buyback framework fits into that broader model. If protocol scale and revenue continue to expand, buybacks could become a recurring source of demand. However, the amount available for buybacks depends on actual income, so USDe supply growth should not be assumed to translate proportionally into ENA price appreciation.
Will ENA Token Unlocks Affect Its Price in 2027?
Beyond protocol revenue, changes in ENA’s circulating supply are another important factor influencing its valuation.
In August 2026, the Ethena Foundation announced changes to early investor token release arrangements and repurchased some previously locked investor tokens through over-the-counter transactions. These measures were intended to reduce persistent selling pressure from investors, restructure the remaining token distribution schedule, and, as heavy vesting-related selling pressure eases, help stabilize prices in crypto markets.
According to a tokenomics update report, Ethena planned to revise the original monthly investor unlock structure and consolidate the release of certain remaining locked tokens. Investor tokens were fully unlocked on October 5, 2026, releasing 1.41 billion ENA.
However, reducing continuous monthly unlocks does not eliminate the possibility of short-term supply pressure. Concentrated token releases may still affect market conditions if recipients move substantial amounts into circulation, and that risk is heightened by wallet concentration, with the top 100 wallets controlling about 89% of ENA supply.
According to a recent token unlock schedule, approximately 275 million ENA tokens are scheduled to unlock on November 1, 2026, representing around 1.83% of the token’s maximum supply; Ethena’s total supply is capped at 15 billion ENA tokens.
Importantly, an unlock does not necessarily mean that holders will immediately sell. The actual price impact depends on recipient behavior, exchange inflows, trading volume, market volatility, and the market’s ability to absorb additional supply.
For the 2027 price outlook, increasing circulating supply means that ENA may require stronger demand to sustain a higher valuation. Even if Ethena’s business expands, token price performance could remain constrained if newly circulating supply exceeds market absorption capacity.
A complete long-term assessment must therefore consider both potential buyback demand and future circulating supply, rather than focusing exclusively on protocol revenue growth.
ENA Price Outlook and Market Trends for 2027: What Would It Take to Reach $1.10?
Standard Chartered’s $1.10 target provides a useful reference point for evaluating ENA’s long-term valuation, but reaching that level would require several fundamental improvements.
First, USDe supply would need to return to sustained growth. At approximately $4.95 billion, current supply remains below the buyback activation threshold. Ethena would need to attract additional capital through competitive yields, product expansion, and new distribution channels. A larger stablecoin supply could provide the protocol with a stronger revenue base.
Second, the buyback mechanism would need to move from an approved governance framework to actual execution. Beyond reaching the $7.5 billion USDe threshold, investors would need to evaluate the size and frequency of buybacks and how those purchases compare with ENA’s circulating market capitalization.
Third, Ethena would need to maintain protocol profitability. Growth in USDe supply does not necessarily produce proportional earnings growth. If underlying yields decline or operating costs increase, the funds available for buybacks could remain limited.
Finally, token supply and broader cryptocurrency market conditions will also influence ENA’s valuation. Future unlocks, holder behavior, and market liquidity may determine how much of the protocol’s fundamental progress is reflected in the token price.
From the current market structure, ENA remains in a consolidation phase near $0.20. Its near-term direction depends largely on trading volume and market participation, while the possibility of reaching $1.10 in 2027 will need to be assessed through USDe growth, protocol revenue, and actual buyback activity.
In other words, Standard Chartered’s forecast is supported by a business growth thesis rather than market sentiment alone, but substantial fundamental progress would still be required.
How to Trade ENA on Gate
Users can visit the Gate ENA/USDT spot trading page to view ENA’s real-time price, candlestick charts, trading volume, and order book, and ENA is also tradable on major exchanges like Binance and Bybit. Spot trading is available where supported by the user’s account and jurisdiction.
To buy ENA on Bybit, users need to register and verify their account.
They can then deposit funds via bank wire to trade for ENA tokens.
ENA can also be purchased on Bitfinex with fiat currency.
On the trading page, users can choose between limit orders and market orders. Limit orders allow traders to specify a desired execution price, with fulfillment depending on market conditions. Market orders execute against available liquidity, and the final execution price may be affected by order book depth.
For users following ENA’s 2027 price outlook, short-term price movements are only one part of the picture. Tracking USDe supply, Ethena governance developments, protocol revenue, and token unlock schedules can provide a more complete understanding of the factors influencing ENA’s valuation. As with any volatile asset, readers should research before they invest and use only funds they can afford to lose. An active community can also help users stay informed about ecosystem updates and participation incentives.
Conclusion: Can ENA Reach $1.10 in 2027?
Standard Chartered forecasts that ENA could reach $1.10 by the end of 2027 and $2.00 by the end of 2028. Its outlook is primarily based on USDe supply expansion, more diversified protocol revenue sources, and the potential for ENA buybacks to create long-term token demand.
At approximately $0.20 on October 27, 2026, the $1.10 target implies around 450% potential upside. However, USDe supply remains below the initial buyback threshold, while ENA continues to face uncertainties related to future token unlocks and changing market demand.
The $1.10 forecast is therefore best understood as a long-term valuation target based on business growth assumptions, rather than a near-term price level already supported by current fundamentals. If USDe supply recovers sustainably, buybacks begin, and recurring token demand develops, ENA’s long-term valuation case could become stronger. If stablecoin growth falls short of expectations, the bank’s target may need to be reassessed.
FAQ
Can ENA Reach $1 in 2027?
Standard Chartered forecasts that ENA could reach $1.10 by the end of 2027. However, this target depends on USDe supply growth, improved protocol revenue, and successful implementation of the buyback mechanism. An institutional forecast is not a guarantee, past performance does not predict future performance, and readers should do their own research before making investment decisions.
What Is Standard Chartered’s ENA Price Prediction for 2028?
Standard Chartered’s year-end 2028 ENA price target is $2.00. The bank also projects that USDe supply could reach approximately $40 billion by that time. Both figures are forward-looking estimates rather than achieved results. In another ethena price prediction scenario, some analysts expect Ethena to be around €0.3163 by the end of 2028 and about €0.4864 by December 2030.
When Will Ethena Start Buying Back ENA?
Under the relevant governance framework, the first USDe supply threshold for activating ENA buybacks is $7.5 billion. As of October 27, 2026, USDe supply was approximately $4.95 billion, meaning that the initial condition had not yet been met.
How Are USDe and ENA Prices Related?
USDe is Ethena’s core stablecoin product, while ENA is the ecosystem’s governance token. Growth in USDe supply may expand the protocol’s revenue base and, once the required conditions are met, support additional ENA buyback demand. However, there is no fixed proportional relationship between USDe supply and ENA’s market price. Some forecasts place Ethena’s 2026 price range between $0.18084 and $0.47296, though outcomes may vary depending on assumptions about USDe growth and demand.
Will ENA Token Unlocks Cause Its Price to Fall?
Token unlocks may increase the amount of ENA available for circulation, but they do not necessarily result in immediate selling. Their actual price impact depends on holder behavior, exchange inflows, and whether market demand can absorb the additional supply. Some forecasts still point to ENA near €0.1855 by the end of 2026 and about €0.1911 by July 2027, showing that even if unlock pressure eases, market volatility and supply effects can keep expectations modest.




