📈 Standard Chartered Projects Aave Could Reach $3,500 by 2030 Standard Chartered has initiated coverage on Aave with a price target of $3,500 for AAVE by the end of 2030. This projection implies an upside potential of approximately 50x compared to the current price of around $76.6. Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s Head of Digital Assets Research, described Aave as an “automated blockchain-based bank” that operates without employees or discretionary decision-making, highlighting its fully programmable nature within the DeFi ecosystem. Details of the report Standard Chartered estimates that the value of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) actively used in DeFi applications could grow by 37x by the end of the decade, becoming the main driver of deposit expansion and lending activity within Aave. The report also highlights additional potential catalysts, including: * A possible relaunch of Aave’s token buyback program * The development of Aave Horizon, a permissioned lending initiative designed to enable borrowing against tokenized real-world assets and attract traditional financial institutions Recent context and recovery The bank acknowledges that the protocol was impacted by the April 2026 incident, when the collapse of KelpDAO’s rsETH bridge caused potential losses of up to $230 million and triggered an outflow of deposits. However, Standard Chartered notes that Aave has since recovered, with funds gradually returning to the platform. At its peak in October 2025, Aave reached approximately $75 billion in deposits, a level that would have placed it among the 30 largest banks in the United States by that metric. Important Notice: This information is based on Standard Chartered’s report. It does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making any financial decisions.