In a groundbreaking report released on May 7, 2025, Standard Chartered has for the first time included Binance's native token BNB in its research coverage. The bank projects a staggering 360% price surge, setting a bold target of $2,775 by late 2028—sparking widespread market discussion.
BNB: The Benchmark Crypto Asset
Geoffrey Kendrick, Global Head of Digital Asset Research at Standard Chartered, states:
"Since May 2021, BNB has demonstrated performance metrics nearly identical to an unweighted portfolio of Bitcoin and Ethereum, both in returns and volatility.
We expect this correlation to persist, driving BNB from its current ~$600 level to $2,775 by December 2028."
Kendrick describes BNB as a "benchmark asset" in crypto markets. While its actual performance and market cap metrics may trail Bitcoin and Ethereum, BNB's deflationary mechanics and deep integration with Binance's ecosystem provide strong long-term value support.
👉 Discover how BNB's burn mechanism fuels its price growth
Challenges for BNB Chain
The report highlights key challenges facing BNB Chain:
- Decentralization Lag: BNB Chain's PoSA (Proof of Staked Authority) consensus relies on just 45 validators selected daily—a stark contrast to Ethereum's 1M+ validators.
Developer Activity: Since 2021's DeFi boom, BNB Chain has seen slower developer growth versus Avalanche and Ethereum due to:
- Centralized structure
- Stagnant application development
However, upcoming upgrades like Pascal (recently launched) and Maxwell (June 2025) could revitalize ecosystem activity.
Why BNB Maintains Strong Demand
Despite competition, BNB thrives through:
| Key Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|
| Binance Integration | Fee discounts for holders boost utility |
| PancakeSwap Dominance | DEX leadership sustains chain activity |
| Deflationary Model | Quarterly burns reduce supply by ~1.8% annually |
Kendrick notes BNB trades at a premium by Standard Chartered's "Market Cap-to-GDP" metric, reflecting its exchange-linked benefits and scarcity.
Standard Chartered's Other Crypto Predictions
- Bitcoin: $120K Q2 2025 target (new all-time high)
- AVAX: $250 by 2029 (10x surge)
- XRP: $12.50 by 2028 (+500%)
- ETH: Downgraded to $4K 2025 target
- Stablecoins: $2T market cap by 2028
👉 See how BNB compares to other top altcoins
FAQ
Q: Is BNB a good long-term investment?
A: Standard Chartered's analysis suggests strong fundamentals, but investors should weigh its centralization risks against growth potential.
Q: How does BNB's burn mechanism work?
A: Binance uses 20% of quarterly profits to buy back and permanently destroy BNB, reducing total supply.
Q: What could derail BNB's $2,775 target?
A: Regulatory actions against Binance, loss of DEX market share, or failure to attract developers could impact price trajectory.
Q: Why is BNB Chain less decentralized than Ethereum?
A: Its PoSA consensus limits validators to 45/day versus Ethereum's permissionless validator system.
Standard Chartered confirms its analysts hold no crypto assets to maintain neutrality.