Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Joseph Lubin has recently predicted a massive surge in the value of Ether, potentially reaching a 100x increase from its current levels. This bullish outlook is largely attributed to the anticipated adoption of Ethereum by Wall Street and other traditional financial institutions.

Lubin, the founder and CEO of Consensys, a leading web3 software company, believes that Ethereum's decentralized infrastructure offers a more efficient and secure alternative to the siloed systems currently used by many banks. He pointed to firms like JPMorgan, which rely on decades of merged financial technology stacks, as examples of those that could significantly reduce costs by transitioning to Ethereum-based rails.

In a recent social media post, Lubin expressed his agreement with Fundstrat's Tom Lee, who also envisions a significant expansion of Ethereum's role in traditional institutions. While Lubin acknowledged that their approaches may sometimes differ, he insisted that Lee is "not nearly bullish enough". Lubin stated that it is nearly impossible to overstate ETH's potential.

Lubin explained that traditional finance institutions will eventually stake ETH because it offers a more efficient and secure infrastructure compared to the many siloed systems banks currently maintain. In order to operate on decentralized rails, these companies would need to stake ETH, run validators, and operate Layer 2s (L2s) and Layer 3s (L3s).

According to Lubin, the world has yet to grasp how rapidly a decentralized economy powered by Ethereum, artificial intelligence, and machine-driven networks can expand. He sees trust as becoming the most valuable global commodity, and Ethereum as its foundation.

Lubin went further to predict that Ethereum will surpass Bitcoin's monetary base, a phenomenon known as "the flippening". In his view, Ethereum is not only the strongest decentralized trustware but also the highest-grade trust commodity, making it capable of exceeding the value of all other global commodities.

Several factors contribute to Lubin's optimistic forecast. Wall Street's growing interest in Ethereum suggests that decentralized finance (DeFi) is becoming less of a fringe concept and more of a mainstream financial tool. With more institutions throwing their weight behind Ethereum, a surge in staking and participation in DeFi protocols is expected.

However, Ethereum is generally more volatile than Bitcoin. For institutional investors, that means more potential for gains, but also more risk. To balance the volatility, many institutions opt for a mix of Bitcoin and Ethereum in their portfolios, taking advantage of both assets' unique traits. They can hedge their bets while keeping an eye on Ethereum's potential, especially as it gains traction in institutional circles.

While Lubin's prediction is optimistic, it's important to remember that the cryptocurrency market is inherently volatile and unpredictable. Investors should conduct their own research and consult with financial advisors before making any investment decisions.