SKALE is an Ethereum-based scaling solution that claims to be “the first blockchain network fully optimized for user experience and web security3.” This is a pretty bold statement, but should investors flock to buy SKL or is it just another scaling solution among many, unlikely to see lasting success?
If you know anything about the current DeFi landscape, then you’ll know that projects overwhelmingly favor Ethereum. While this is great for interoperability, it means that huge demands are placed on the Ethereum network, which has led to congestion and soaring gas taxes.
Projects like SKALE are designed to take some of the load off the entry-level blockchain. In theory, dApps and projects using the SKALE protocol will be able to achieve faster transaction rates at significantly lower costs than those that do not use scaling solutions.
But as we say, SKALE isn’t the only Ethereum scaling solution on the market, and each seems to offer similar functionality. So is there anything special about SKALE that makes it a hot investment in 2022? In the following price forecast, we’ll take a closer look at the project to find out.
Table of Contents:
The need for scalability solutions
As we have noted, the continued popularity of Ethereum has put the network under great strain, as Defi continues to grow and transaction rates rise. This led to several cases of network congestion and led to significant increases in GAS tariffs.
Despite its popularity, Ethereum is a somewhat dated network in terms of cryptocurrency. One of its biggest flaws is the fact that it can only process about 13 transactions per second, which is just enough for dApps to use it on a truly commercial scale.
What scaling solutions like SKALE aim to do is process some of the transaction data from the Ethereum mainnet, to ease the tension, referring to it only for things that need to be finalized on the first layer. This type of solution is referred to as a level two roll-up.
Because these layer two protocols process much of the transaction data “off chain” and essentially send transactions to the Ethereum mainnet bundled for validation, they can perform those transactions at much faster rates and at a significantly lower cost.
A closer look at SKALE
So scaling solutions are pretty important to the wider Ethereum community, but it’s also true that there are now many of these solutions in place, including Loopring, zkTube, and Immutable X. So, what exactly makes SKALE special?
Introducing SKALE
SKALE was created to give Ethereum-based dApps access to improved performance while remaining completely secure and decentralized. Composed of thousands of independent validation nodes, SKALE claims to be able to offer the same security as the first layer, significantly increasing throughput. According to the platform itself, a thousand validators on the SKALE network can support 8,000 independent chains. This would suggest that SKALE, as the name suggests, is a highly scalable platform. So how does it work?
Elastic side chains
Inevitably, skale’s inner workings are too complex to be broken down into this short-term price forecast. However, it is enough to have an understanding of the basic principles that make SKALE different from other scaling solutions.
What makes SKALE different is the way its nodes are organized. Since each SKALE node has virtualized subnodes, the platform can run multiple side chains at the same time. When users want to create an Elastic Sidechain for their project, they select the relevant details, such as the size of the chain and the consensus protocol in place, and then SKALE Manager will automatically assign an appropriate layer of network resources.
Once this is done, an Elastic Sidechain will have been created to provide the user with the requested service. Using this approach, SKALE can maximize its resources and automatically deliver highly customizable blockchains for its users, without sacrificing security or computational power.
The SKL token
The SKALE protocol has its own native token, SKL, which performs numerous functions. Of course, given that the project is focused on a complex node system, it will come as no surprise that SKL can be targeted so that users can manage the nodes. These validators receive a share of the network fees for their problems. Those who do not have the capital to manage a full node can delegate their SKL tokens to the node’s operators, always in exchange for a share of the returns.
SKL is also the governance token of the SKALE project. As you may already know, this means that those who hold the token can vote on any proposed changes to the project’s infrastructure.
Looking at SKALE’s pricing history
SKALE was first widely listed in December 2020, a very opportune time as it preceded several major spikes in the cryptocurrency market. The token was worth about $0.07 when it first hit the market, but within a few days it had doubled in value to $0.14. However, by the end of the year, the token had fallen again to around $0.07.
Fortunately for SKALE, the cryptocurrency market was supposed to have a very successful year in 2021 and was soon on the rise. The first rise came in February, with SKL rising to $0.34. Maybe not a huge figure, but that still represents a growth of over 380% in less than 3 months. March 2021 then turned out to be SKALE’s most successful month to date, with the token rising to its all-time high of $1.22.
SKALE then saw quite significant volatility in the following months, falling as low as $0.27 in May. There was another sharp rise in prices before SKL went down during the summer, falling below $0.20 in July. The token recovered well in August, reaching $0.46 in September, but the major bulls that many tokens saw in the final months of 2021 seemed to bypass SKL. It closed the year trading at around $0.20.
As we all know, the cryptocurrency market has not fared well in 2022. During the first weeks of the year SKALE dropped to $0.11 and failed to catch up between February and March. The interesting thing about SKL is that it saw an impressive price increase in April, reaching an average trading price of $0.30.
Unfortunately, SKL has been on a more or less downward tilt throughout the second quarter of 2022. At the time of writing, the token was trading at $0.04.
SKALE Price forecasts for 2025
SKALE has seen several significant bulls since it was first widely listed, and there’s no denying that it features a valuable scaling solution for web 3.0. However, investors will want to build an idea of what we can expect from SKL in the future. Therefore, we consulted several SKALE price forecasts for 2025.
DigitalCoinPrice actually sees SKL recovering steadily in the years to come – albeit very slowly in terms of coin value. It has the token reaching around $0.06 as we head into 2023, which would be a growth of around 50% on today’s price. Things will then move slowly over the course of 2024, but when 2025 begins, we could see SKL trading at $0.09.
We found another SKALE price forecast on Coinskid and it seems that the platform sees a similar future to DigitalCoinPrice. Its technical analysis suggests that SKL will recover to around $0.06 by the end of the year. It will then grow by about 12% in 2023 and continue to rise the following year, ending 2024 at an average trading price of $0.17. By 2025, SKL is expected to be worth around $0.20.
A similar forecast on skale prices for 2025 can be found at TradingBeasts. His analysis also has the token up by about 50% at the end of 2022. It therefore sees SKALE continue to rise at an impressive pace, potentially doubling in value by the end of 2023. In 2025, TradingBeasts predicts that SKL will have reached a potential maximum of $0.13.
Looking ahead: Skale price forecasts for 2030
According to the forecasts seen so far, SKALE looks set to grow year by year. It is encouraging that the above price forecasts are all very similar. However, nothing is guaranteed and the cryptocurrency market changes. Fast. However, we also considered some SKALE price predictions for 2030 to get an idea of what the token’s long-term prospects are.
DigitalCoinPrice has made its SKALE price forecast for 2030 and is more or less a continuation of what the platform has predicted for 2025. According to DigitalCoinPrice, SKL will regain the $0.10 threshold by mid-2027 and continue on a gradual upward trend. However, things will accelerate slightly in 2030 and by the end of the year SKL is expected to have reached $0.20.
We found another long-term SKL price forecast on PricePrediction.net. This platform is much more optimistic about the future of SKALE than other analysts. It has the token rising above $0.10 by the end of 2022 and continues to gain significant value year-over-year over the next decade. By 2030, the platform believes that SKL could be trading as high as $2.14 – which would be a growth of more than 5000% on today’s price.
We should point out that these skale price forecasts for 2030 are speculative at best. No one knows what will happen with the market, so investors should not base any financial decision based solely on these forecasts.
What about Ethereum 2.0?
Those who are up to date with the cryptocurrency market may be wondering what will happen to Tier 2 scaling solutions like SKALE once the ongoing Ethereum 2.0 updates are completed. After all, it has been claimed that these updates will eventually put Ethereum back on top of the pile when it comes to processing speed and network capacity. So will SKALE still be needed?
This is a difficult question to answer. When Ethereum moves to proof-of-stake and is able to support significantly increased transaction speeds, the demand for scaling solutions may decrease. This is something that those thinking of investing in SKALE will have to keep in mind.
However, Ethereum 2.0 will not be infinitely scalable. If the updates really make it the number one smartchain once again, then the demand for its services will skyrocket, especially as we head into the Web 3.0 era. Therefore, Layer 2 scaling solutions may once again see their services required.
Of course, this is all speculation, but investors will have to keep an eye on developments if they want to manage their strategy with any hope of success.
Conclusion: Should you invest in SKALE?
That’s all for our SKALE price forecast. What we have here is a highly customizable scaling solution for Ethereum. With its elastic side chains, SKALE can be used by any size and type of cryptocurrency project, including DeFi and games to earn. There is no doubt that this platform has the technical credentials to provide its mission statement.
But let’s be honest, SKALE isn’t the only scaling solution out there. In fact, it’s not even one of the most well-known options. This is an important consideration as, ultimately, there are only so many scaling solutions that will be needed and the value of SKL is inherently linked to the adoption of the SKALE project with the dApps and larger projects out there.
One thing that goes in favor of SKALE is the fact that the price forecasts we have seen converge more or less. Long-term forecasts are not much to follow, but SKALE’s price forecasts for 2025 are all very realistic, and if they turn out to be true, it would mean that SKL would provide decent returns for those who choose to invest in SKL in 2022.
The choice of whether or not to invest in SKALE will depend in some way on your overall investment strategy, including the tokens you already own. If you still need to invest in a scaling solution, SKALE is definitely worth considering. However, if you already own the likes of Loopring or zkTube, then you should think about what SKALE would add.
Where to invest in cryptocurrency
If you want to add SKALE to your wallet, you will need to find a broker or exchange that currently lists tokens. You have a lot of options in this regard, but not all major exchanges actually list the token. However, it’s important to make sure you go with a trusted brand.
Fortunately, one of the most trusted names in retail, eToro, has added SKL to his books. This means that you can use the platform’s powerful and intuitive trading environment to add SKALE to your current portfolio.
Another great thing about eToro is that it also offers a lot of information and news resources that allow you to research the different cryptocurrencies and investment strategies.
SKALE Price Forecasts 2025, 2030 – FAQ
What Is SKALE?
SKALE is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum-based projects. Using its proprietary Elastic Side chain system, SKALE can offer customizable blockchains for any project size and type.
What are scaling platforms?
Scaling solutions are platforms designed to take some of the load off the mainnet by processing some transaction data “off chain” via a series of nodes or similar. This data is then essentially grouped into packets and sent to the mainnet for final validation. The result is that far fewer transactions need to be processed on the basic blockchain, allowing scaling platforms to offer faster transaction rates and lower fees.
How much will SKALE be worth in 2025?
We looked at several SKALE price forecasts for 2025 and found that most agree on what the token’s prospects are. Of course, these predictions are by no means guaranteed, but if they turn out to be accurate, we could see an increase in value of SKL between $0.10 and $0.20 by 2025.
Where can I buy SKALE?
SKALE is not one of the most well-known cryptocurrencies out there, but it is quite widely listed. If you are looking for an exchange or broker to buy SKL with, we highly recommend eToro. Not only is it one of the most established names in retail trading, but it also has a very accessible trading interface suitable for both novice and more experienced investors.
Will scaling platforms still be needed after Ethereum 2.0?
There has been some speculation that scaling solutions like SKALE and Loopring will become redundant after the completion of ethereum 2.0 updates. While the upgrades will undoubtedly make Ethereum faster and could reach the absorption rates seen by scaling platforms, we believe that the continued demand for blockchain services in the web 3.0 era will mean that scaling solutions will remain necessary in the long term.
