In recent months, cryptocurrencies have shown varying results: BTC gained nearly 14%, ETH soared more than 80%, while DOT slipped almost 12%. Despite this, analysts point to the potential undervaluation of Polkadot ahead of Web3 growth.
Web3 Potential for Polkadot
Gavin Wood, co-founder of Polkadot, coined the term 'Web3' a decade ago, but the ecosystem has only recently begun to gain traction. Applications like Brave, Uniswap, and FIFA Rivals are already leveraging Polkadot's infrastructure. With the U.S. government now providing stronger support for digital assets, broader adoption of decentralized applications could boost demand for DOT.
Network Performance Advantages
Polkadot's speed is a key distinguishing feature. Tests have shown its network could process over 600,000 transactions per second, far exceeding Solana's 65,000 TPS and Ethereum's 120. Although real-world usage remains modest, this capability positions Polkadot favorably if Web3 traffic accelerates.
Price Forecasts for DOT in 2025-2026
Price scenarios for DOT vary:
* **Bullish case:** If Web3 adoption accelerates and Polkadot 2.0 delivers on its promises, DOT could rally back toward its previous all-time high near $55 and potentially test the $70–$80 range by late 2026. * **Base case:** With steady but gradual growth in Web3 and moderate adoption of tokenization, DOT could climb back into the $25–$35 range in 2025–2026. This scenario assumes consistent developer activity and improved network efficiency, but without significant breakouts. * **Bearish case:** If adoption stalls, competition from Solana, Avalanche, or new entrants intensifies, and regulatory uncertainty limits growth, DOT could remain stuck in the $5–$10 range, with little momentum despite broader market strength.
For now, Polkadot lags behind its larger peers, but with Web3 expansion, unmatched network speed, and upcoming technical improvements, DOT may be primed for a rebound. Investors who see the token as undervalued today may find themselves well-positioned if adoption ramps up through 2026.
