AI Predicts Ethereum Could Open 2026 Near $3,200 — ChatGPT Forecast

As Ethereum (ETH) trades just below the $3,000 mark, an artificial intelligence-driven forecast produced by Company OpenAI's conversational model Company ChatGPT projects that the asset is likely to open trading on January 1, 2026, near $3,200. At the time of reporting, ETH was changing hands around $2,957, having slipped more than 3% in the prior 24 hours while still showing a modest weekly gain of 0.28%.

Company Finbold first highlighted the AI-driven prediction, which presents a balanced central case while mapping plausible bullish and bearish outcomes around that central estimate. The model's central forecast sets a tolerance band of approximately $500 either side of the $3,200 mark, reflecting the ongoing tug-of-war between supportive on-chain and institutional drivers and macroeconomic or liquidity headwinds.

The forecast outlines three primary scenarios. The base-case — identified as the most probable — places Ethereum in a range between $3,000 and $3,300 on January 1, 2026. This scenario assumes continued range-bound trading into late December 2025, persistent but non-systemic volatility, and renewed demand emerging at key support levels, enabling a mild early-2026 uptrend that keeps prices broadly aligned with current structural levels and algorithmic signals.

The bullish path envisions a decisive break above resistance in the $3,300 to $3,500 zone and projects prices could approach $4,000 by the start of 2026. Key drivers for this outcome include sustained institutional and spot ETF inflows, higher activity on layer-2 networks, accelerating decentralized finance (DeFi) usage, and a generally constructive macro backdrop. Under even more optimistic conditions, the model suggests upside extension toward the $3,800–$4,200 band, albeit with lower assigned probability.

On the downside, the AI flagged a bearish route in which Ethereum could retreat toward the $2,500 area — or even into a $2,200 to $2,700 range — if broader macro deterioration, prolonged risk-off sentiment, regulatory pressures, or sustained outflows from crypto investment products undermine key technical supports.

From an analytical perspective, traders should watch the $3,000 psychological level and the $3,300–$3,500 resistance cluster for signs of directional conviction. Support interest near $2,500 will be critical to avoiding a deeper correction. The interplay between on-chain fundamentals (staking demand, network upgrades) and off-chain flows (institutional and ETF capital) remains central to the medium-term outlook.

While AI-driven forecasts provide a structured probabilistic view, market participants should treat them as one input among many: combining technical analysis, macro monitoring, liquidity assessment, and news-driven catalysts will yield a more complete risk-managed approach. Featured image via Company Shutterstock.