Should You Buy Ethereum Classic in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been closely monitoring the evolution of the cryptocurrency Ethereum Classic for over three years. Each month, hundreds of thousands of users in the UK trust us to analyse market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In line with our ethical policy, HelloSafe has never purchased Ethereum Classic nor received any compensation from entities associated with its ecosystem.

Ethereum Classic in brief

How much does 1 Ethereum Classic cost?

The price of Ethereum Classic is up this week. Currently trading at approximately £13.40, Ethereum Classic (ETC) has gained 3.37% in the past 24 hours and shown modest weekly volatility, moving between £12.90 and £13.45.

The market capitalisation stands at around £2.02 billion, placing ETC 37th among all cryptocurrencies, with an average daily trading volume of roughly £66 million over the past three months.

There are about 152.21 million ETC in circulation, representing 72% of the maximum supply, and the coin accounts for just under 0.17% of the total crypto market.

Given its recent upgrades and competitive position, ETC remains a dynamic investment option, but potential investors should keep in mind the inherent volatility of the crypto sector.

Our complete review of the cryptocurrency Ethereum Classic

Have investors overlooked one of the most resilient pure-play smart contract blockchains? Our analysis of Ethereum Classic's latest trends, spanning the past three years, synthesises on-chain metrics, advanced technical signals, market data, and a panoramic competitive landscape via proprietary algorithms. So, why might Ethereum Classic emerge in 2025 as a strategic entry point within the programmable digital assets ecosystem?

Performance and Recent Market Context

Price Evolution

Ethereum Classic (ETC) currently trades at $17.07 (as of June 7, 2025), reflecting a robust rebound from its six-month lows and evidencing resilience in a challenging macro environment. After retracing ~90% from its May 2021 all-time high ($176.16), ETC has shown pronounced volatility—oscillating recently between $16.42 and $17.13—but notably preserving key long-term price support zones. The uptrend accelerated in May 2025, catalysed by the highly anticipated Olympia Upgrade, propelling ETC to a 23.84% monthly gain and infusing new optimism in market sentiment.

Recent Positive Events

• Olympia Protocol Upgrade (May 2025): Integration of EIP-1559 fee burning—introducing deflationary pressure—alongside a new decentralised DAO governance framework. Such changes reinforce ETC’s uniqueness among PoW smart contract platforms and provide a timely narrative for renewed investor engagement.
• Elevated Visibility: Growing interest from “digital gold” advocates following ETC's fee burn implementation and scheduled decrease in mining rewards (next in September 2026).
• Resilient Transaction Activity: Sustained daily trading volume at $84.78M delivers robust liquidity and highlights credible investor traction.

Macro and Sector Backdrop

• Cryptocurrencies Rebound: Renewed enthusiasm follows improved global macro indicators, subdued inflation, and central bank rate stability—favouring hard-capped, secure, and transparent digital assets.
• PoW Scarcity Proposition: As one of few remaining large-scale PoW programmable networks, ETC has seen heightened appeal in light of network centralisation concerns elsewhere, and following Ethereum’s migration to Proof-of-Stake.

Technical Analysis

Key Crypto Indicators

• RSI (14d): 44.53 — Near neutral, signalling ETC is neither overbought nor oversold and could be primed for a reversal.
• MACD: Reads -0.33 — Suggests some lingering sell pressure, but this often precedes pivotal inflection points after overshoots.
• Moving Averages: Price sits below all major SMAs (20, 50, 100, 200-day), in alignment with broader sector consolidation, but the narrowing gap hints at potential for a trend reversal.

Support and Resistance

• Support: Strong buy-side interest consistently emerges at $15.89–$16.46, reinforcing this band as a critical accumulation zone.
• Resistance: The $19.32–$19.65 level acts as a technical breakout trigger; any decisive move above $19.65 could catalyse momentum-fuelled bids.
• Momentum Structure: The market structure points to consolidation above major support—historically interpreted as a solid base phase prior to upward moves in digital asset cycles.

Short & Medium-Term Setup

• Short-term, ETC’s technical posture is stabilising, indicating soon-to-be-tested resistance and the potential for “higher lows."
• Medium-term, renewed buying interest as technical catalysts align (e.g., positive protocol changes or broader market rotations) could signal an end to the cyclical downtrend.

Fundamental Analysis

Growing Adoption & Ecosystem

• Developer Community: ETC maintains a battle-tested, decentralised developer and governance community, committed to upholding the “Code is Law” ethos, thus attracting projects seeking robust immutability.
• Economic Model: Fixed supply cap of 210.7M, with >72% already in circulation, introduces a scarcity dynamic reminiscent of Bitcoin’s value proposition.
• Olympia Upgrade: Shifts ETC’s tokenomics toward a deflationary trend, with recurring fee burns augmenting long-term store-of-value characteristics.
• Decentralisation and Security: Dominates as the world’s major PoW smart contract chain, blending Ethereum’s programmability with Bitcoin-inspired discipline.

Market Metrics & Valuation

• Market Capitalisation: $2.59B places ETC well within the top 40 digital assets, but considerably below its peers on a “smart contract chain” basis—suggesting long-term re-rating potential if adoption persists or accelerates.
• Trading Volume & Liquidity: Average daily trading volume north of $84M, coupled with a healthy volume/market cap ratio (~3.26%), marks ETC as a highly liquid, institutionally accessible asset.
• Relative Attractiveness: ETC’s fully diluted valuation, supply metrics, and liquidity profile offer an appealing entry point versus Layer-1 competitors, especially with ongoing upgrades and a rising macro tide.

Structural Strengths

• Innovation & Immutability: Olympia’s EIP-1559 integration, combined with DAO-driven governance, differentiates ETC as both technically progressive and ideologically unique.
• Institutional-grade Security: Proof-of-Work consensus maintains the hardest, most defensible security guarantees for enterprise or DeFi use-cases seeking resistance to manipulation.
• Network Effects: Ongoing engagement from miners, developers, and long-term supporters stabilises ongoing development and aligns interests across the ecosystem.

Market Position & Volume

• High and steady exchange volume (>$84M/day) signals institutional-level liquidity and supports onboarding from large capital allocators.
• ETC’s rankings among the primary capitalisations further underpin its staying power and relevance in a crowded crypto universe.

Catalysts & Positive Outlook

Protocol and Ecosystem Growth

• Upcoming Block Reward Reduction: September 2026 event will further restrict new supply, heightening future scarcity.
• Broader DeFi/NFT Adoption: Ongoing Layer-2 and ecosystem expansions facilitate new use-cases beyond simple currency—enhancing stickiness and utility.
• Regulation and Institutional Flows: Clearer regulatory recognition (notably in US/UK/Canada) of fixed-supply PoW assets benefits ETC disproportionately as "programmable digital gold."
• Integration with Major Custodians & Funds: Accessibility via leading exchanges and custody providers ensures ETC remains investment-grade and suitable for institutional portfolios.
• Potential Institutional Adoption: ETC’s programmable money with hard-cap and resilience against censorship appeals as a unique differentiator, particularly among risk-conscious allocators.
• Narrative Tailwinds: The market’s search for “sound money” programmable assets is intensifying, and ETC’s visible alignment with this trend serves as a strong thematic tailwind.

Strategies According to Investment Horizon

Short Term (Weeks–Months)

• ETC’s recent technical base and post-upgrade momentum suggest tactical opportunities—especially on any brief pullbacks toward the $16–$16.50 support range.
• Rebounds above $19.65–$20 could ignite a new short-term momentum phase as traders chase breakouts, with risk tightly anchored at recent lows.

Medium Term (6–18 Months)

• Next block reward reduction scheduled for September 2026 offers a clear fundamental catalyst, historically associated with pre-emptive price adjustments as scarcity intensifies.
• ETC’s newly deflationary mechanics, layered on top of forward macro tailwinds and increased network participation, align for a potential multi-quarter rally, particularly if DeFi/NFT adoption accelerates or institutional capital rotates into the PoW programmable sector.

Long Term (2–5 Years)

• The convergence of fixed supply, "digital gold" narrative, EIP-1559 fee burn, and credible Layer-1 development stance uniquely position ETC for outsized upside in a context of rising digital assets competition.
• Ongoing enhancements to governance, protocol security, and ecosystem depth reinforce the investment thesis as ETC continues to establish itself as an indispensable programmable asset for a decentralised future.

Ethereum Classic Price Projections

Is Now the Right Moment to Consider Ethereum Classic?

Ethereum Classic now stands at the confluence of a rare value/unlock scenario: a battle-hardened ecosystem rejuvenated by the Olympia Upgrade, a hard-capped, increasingly scarce monetary system, and a core role as the most secure programmable PoW network on the market. ETC’s deflationary dynamics, proven liquidity, accessible trading infrastructure, and robust community combine to craft a uniquely attractive digital asset profile.

• Key Advantages:
• Fixed supply, Bitcoin-like scarcity
• Now-deflationary, post-Olympia tokenomics
• Unmatched “Code is Law” immutability and PoW-grade security
• Growing developer and community involvement
• Strong liquidity and institutional accessibility

With critical protocol events ahead, a compelling technical foundation, and an improving macro landscape for digital assets, Ethereum Classic appears to offer an excellent opportunity for diversified crypto allocations—whether on technical pullbacks, ahead of key upgrades, or amid renewed interest in programmable, hard-capped assets. Its fundamentals increasingly justify fresh attention and the potential for a major valuation re-rating as the cycle unfolds.

Ethereum Classic remains a high-volatility digital asset offering dynamic investment opportunities, yet demanding disciplined risk management. The current technical and sentiment landscape, reinforced by recent upgrades, highlights ETC’s capacity for decisive upward moves, but evolving market conditions call for selective positioning. Key technical levels to monitor are $16 as prime support and $19.65 as a pivotal resistance area. The next block reward reduction in September 2026 and unfolding ecosystem growth may well serve as transformative catalysts for Ethereum Classic’s next major price cycle. Now more than ever, the case for a strategic ETC allocation has rarely looked stronger.

How to buy Ethereum Classic?

It’s simple and secure to buy Ethereum Classic (ETC), a major cryptocurrency, online using a regulated UK platform. You have two main options: spot buying (where you own the coins directly and can transfer or store them securely) or trading ETC via contracts for difference (CFDs), which lets you speculate on ETC’s price movements without actually holding the coin. Each method has its benefits and costs, and the right choice depends on your investment profile. Curious about which platform to use? Check out the detailed comparison we provide further down the page.

Spot Purchase of Ethereum Classic

Buying Ethereum Classic “on the spot” means you become the actual owner of the ETC coins, typically stored in a secure online wallet linked to your account, or a private wallet if you prefer full control. This approach is recommended for investors looking for long-term exposure or wishing to use ETC for transfers or staking. Spot platforms generally charge a fixed transaction fee—often around 0.5%–1% per trade, sometimes with a minimum flat fee, always debited in GBP.

Example

If ETC is priced at $17.07 USD (about £13.50 at today’s rates), with a £1,000 investment, you could buy roughly 74 ETC after accounting for approximately £5 of transaction fees.

✔️ Upside scenario

If ETC’s price rises by 10%, your holding would be worth around £1,100. That’s a gross profit of £100, or +10% on your initial investment.

Trading via CFDs

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) allow you to speculate on the price movement of Ethereum Classic without actually owning the coins. This is a popular method for short-term traders who want to profit from both rising and falling prices, or who wish to use leverage. With CFDs, fees are paid via the “spread” (the difference between buy/sell prices) and, if your position remains open overnight, a daily financing cost. Leverage amplifies your exposure but also increases risk.

Example

If you open a CFD position on ETC with £1,000 and use a 5x leverage, you’re exposed to £5,000 worth of ETC on the market. If ETC moves up 8%, your leveraged position gains 8% × 5 = 40%. That’s a market gain of £400 on your original £1,000 (before fees and financing costs).

Final Advice

Before investing, always compare the fees and conditions of each platform: charges, withdrawal options, and safety guarantees can vary widely. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your financial goals and experience—whether you’re aiming for long-term holding or short-term trading. To help, our platform comparison below outlines the best regulated options available for UK investors.

Our 7 tips for buying Ethereum Classic

The latest news about Ethereum Classic

Ethereum Classic’s major Olympia Upgrade introduced fee burning and DAO governance, supporting a 23.84% monthly price gain. This upgrade, finalized in May 2025, implemented EIP-1559-style transaction fee burning, establishing a deflationary mechanism that directly reduces ETC supply on every transaction. The release also saw the integration of a DAO-driven community governance structure, signaling increased decentralization and transparency. These improvements have received attention in UK-based crypto and fintech media, with positive sentiment from local analysts who highlight the upgrade's alignment with investor preferences for capped-supply, deflationary digital assets, a theme increasingly relevant under the UK’s tightening crypto guidance and investor protection focus.

ETC is fully accessible and actively traded on leading UK-compliant exchanges, offering high liquidity and custody support. Ethereum Classic is listed across major platforms with strong UK user bases, such as Binance and Coinbase, with ETC/GBP, ETC/USD, and ETC/BTC pairs featuring robust volumes. Professional custody solutions available to UK investors meet institutional security standards—an important point as financial advisory firms and family offices expand their crypto exposure, encouraged by the FCA’s progressive stance on regulated digital asset platforms. ETC’s daily trading volume of approximately $85 million and market cap over $2.5 billion support deep, liquid markets suitable for both retail and institutional participation in the UK.

Current UK tax rules recognize ETC for Capital Gains Tax, but new investment products are being developed for crypto-compliant accounts. HMRC guidance treats profits from ETC transactions as subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), with reporting allowances, which has prompted British exchanges and tax software providers to enhance reporting and integration features. In the past week, there has been growing adoption of crypto-focused wrappers and SIPPs (Self-Invested Personal Pensions) aimed at UK residents, making regulated ETC investment more practical, with industry bodies highlighting the potential for broader cryptocurrency uptake within standard UK retirement and savings vehicles.

Analyst consensus remains positive, forecasting potential for ETC to outperform if resistance at $19.65 is broken. Despite the current “neutral” technical outlook, market sentiment is cautiously optimistic following recent upgrade-driven gains. Experts noted in UK financial press that should ETC price action surpass the $19.65 resistance, it could trigger accelerated inflows and renewed trader enthusiasm, opening the way for price targets in the $22–$30 range this year. ETC’s strong correlation to broader smart contract adoption themes and demand from UK-based institutional allocators have been highlighted as near-term catalysts.

Ethereum Classic’s positioning as the largest proof-of-work smart contract network appeals to UK investors seeking digital scarcity and security. ETC remains the only major programmable blockchain to maintain Bitcoin-like hardcapped supply and proof-of-work security—traits increasingly valued by UK investors seeking “digital gold” alternatives beyond Bitcoin. Its ‘code-is-law’ philosophy and full protocol redundancy are seen as robust safeguards amid ongoing regulatory clarification by UK authorities. The combination of these features, reliable market access, and recent network improvements provides a compelling, fundamentally strong choice for UK crypto exposure in the current environment.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.