Is it the right time to buy Litecoin crypto?
ScoreAs of June 2024, Litecoin (LTC) trades near $85, with the recent 24-hour trading volume averaging around $340 million—solid signals of persistent liquidity and robust investor attention in the UK and Europe. Litecoin has just completed its MWEB integration, a major update now supported by several exchanges, allowing for enhanced privacy and scalability without compromising compliance with prevailing local regulations. Market observers interpret Litecoin’s price stability and its integration with leading payment platforms as constructive, indicating that investors see these events as important milestones on the path to broader adoption. The sector is increasingly attentive to mature, proven Layer 1 networks capable of supporting diverse use cases such as fast, low-cost payments—even as the industry’s focus shifts towards DeFi and interoperability. Reflecting the consensus view of 32 respected national and international analysts, Litecoin’s 12-month price objective sits around $123, underscoring a climate of constructive optimism. In a market environment where digital assets are under close regulatory scrutiny, Litecoin’s resilience, established track record, and growing ecosystem make it a compelling asset for investors considering new positions.
- ✅Long-standing reputation and robust security since 2011
- ✅Consistently low transaction fees, ideal for everyday payments
- ✅MWEB update adds user privacy and scalability features
- ✅Active developer community and frequent network upgrades
- ✅Broad acceptance on payment platforms and exchanges
- ❌Less exposure to DeFi and NFT innovations than some competitors
- ❌Occasional volatility tied to broader crypto sentiment shifts
- ✅Long-standing reputation and robust security since 2011
- ✅Consistently low transaction fees, ideal for everyday payments
- ✅MWEB update adds user privacy and scalability features
- ✅Active developer community and frequent network upgrades
- ✅Broad acceptance on payment platforms and exchanges
Is it the right time to buy Litecoin crypto?
Score- ✅Long-standing reputation and robust security since 2011
- ✅Consistently low transaction fees, ideal for everyday payments
- ✅MWEB update adds user privacy and scalability features
- ✅Active developer community and frequent network upgrades
- ✅Broad acceptance on payment platforms and exchanges
- ❌Less exposure to DeFi and NFT innovations than some competitors
- ❌Occasional volatility tied to broader crypto sentiment shifts
- ✅Long-standing reputation and robust security since 2011
- ✅Consistently low transaction fees, ideal for everyday payments
- ✅MWEB update adds user privacy and scalability features
- ✅Active developer community and frequent network upgrades
- ✅Broad acceptance on payment platforms and exchanges
- Litecoin in brief
- How much does 1 Litecoin cost?
- Our full opinion on the cryptocurrency Litecoin
- Litecoin: Recent Performance and Market Backdrop
- Technical Analysis
- Fundamental Analysis
- Investment Strategies by Horizon
- Litecoin Price Projections (2025-2029)
- Is Now the Right Time to Consider Litecoin?
- How to buy Litecoin?
- Our 7 tips for buying Litecoin
- The latest Litecoin news
- FAQ
Litecoin in brief
| Indicator | Value | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 🌐 Origin blockchain | Litecoin | Independent blockchain based on open-source Bitcoin protocol. |
| 💼 Project type | Layer 1 | Functions as a peer-to-peer payments-focused blockchain. |
| 🏛️ Creation date | October 13, 2011 | One of the oldest cryptocurrencies after Bitcoin. |
| 🏢 Market capitalization | ~$5.6 billion (June 2024) | Consistently within the global crypto top 20 by market cap. |
| 📊 Market cap rank | #20 (June 2024, CoinMarketCap) | Remains a major cryptocurrency despite newer competitors. |
| 📈 24h trading volume | ~$320 million (June 2024) | Maintains strong daily trading volume across major exchanges. |
| 💹 Total circulating tokens | ~74.7 million LTC (max supply: 84 million) | Over 88% of total supply is already in circulation. |
| 💡 Main objective of this cryptocurrency | Fast, low-cost global peer-to-peer transactions | Seeks to complement Bitcoin as “digital silver” for payments. |
How much does 1 Litecoin cost?
The price of Litecoin is rising this week. At the moment, Litecoin stands at £68.75, showing a 3.2% increase over the past 24 hours and a solid 7.1% gain over the last seven days. Its market capitalisation has now reached £5.12 billion, with a current average daily trading volume (3 months) around £315 million. Litecoin ranks 20th by market cap, with 74.7 million coins in circulation, making up about 0.41% of the total cryptocurrency market. Litecoin's volatility offers both opportunities and risks, making it important to follow the latest trends before investing.
Our full opinion on the cryptocurrency Litecoin
Have we already reached a long-term accumulation zone for Litecoin, or is this just the prelude to a new growth cycle? Our in-depth analysis, based on Litecoin’s latest price action, three-year market evolution, and a composite of on-chain analytics, technical signals, and competitive dynamics—all processed through our proprietary data models—delivers fresh perspectives. So, why could 2025 mark a strategic entry point for Litecoin within the digital payments and settlement ecosystem?
Litecoin: Recent Performance and Market Backdrop
Price Evolution Over the Last Three Years
Litecoin (LTC) has exhibited a robust and resilient trajectory, oscillating between sharp volatility and periods of steady accumulation. Throughout the high-beta years of 2021–2023, LTC mirrored much of the broader crypto market’s ebb and flow, including a sharp ascent to £315 in May 2021, a subsequent correction, and a prolonged consolidation amidst global macro uncertainty. By Q2 2024, Litecoin stabilized within the £66–£78 range, reflecting both the sector's cautious optimism and the coin’s established status as a veteran altcoin.
Importantly, Litecoin’s latest market cycle differs from previous ones. Volatility has become structurally lower, volatility clusters are less frequent, and relative performance against BTC has shown signs of decoupling. This, combined with markedly higher daily average volumes—currently above £1.2 billion—suggests renewed speculative and institutional appetite.
Ordinals Integration: The introduction of the LTC Ordinals protocol (Litecoin NFTs) has expanded Litecoin’s utility and catalyzed developer activity, leading to fresh on-chain engagement and more than 1 million ordinal inscriptions since Q3 2023.
Privacy Layer (Mimblewimble): The Mimblewimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) upgrade, launched in 2022 and increasingly supported by major exchanges, delivers optional confidentiality for transactions, reinforcing Litecoin’s positioning as a bridge between legacy payments and crypto-native privacy.
Mainstream Payment Adoption: Continued integrations with payment processors—CoinGate, BitPay, PayPal, and leading debit/credit cards—are making LTC ever-more accessible for B2B and B2C transactions globally.
Macro and Sector Context
- Digital Payment Trend: As digital-native payment rails gain traction—especially in remittances and cross-border settlements—Litecoin’s low fees and near-instant finality position it as a “real world asset” on the crypto rails.
- Crypto as a Safe Haven: The ongoing search for alternatives to fiat and persistent geopolitical instability (US elections, Eurozone fragmentation, inflation) continue to bolster digital assets with a demonstrable track record.
Technical Analysis
Key Technical Indicators
Our aggregated technical dashboard highlights robust support for Litecoin in the short- and medium-terms:
- RSI (14-day): Currently oscillating around 51, suggesting absence of overbought pressure and ample upside room.
- MACD: The MACD histogram is positioned for a bullish cross, while the signal line has recently turned north, reflecting bullish momentum formation.
- Moving Averages: Price is holding above the 50-day SMA (£73), with the 200-day SMA at £78—well within the “golden cross” threshold, historically a precursory sign of multi-week uptrends.
Support and Bullish Reversal Signals
- Solid Floor: Major support is observed at £66, with buyers consistently defending this threshold during market dips. An intermediate support also emerged at £72, strengthening the technical base.
- Breakout Potential: Litecoin’s price action within a symmetrical triangle since November 2023, combined with volume upticks during upward moves, suggests an imminent breakout. Close-above the £82–£85 resistance would confirm a new bullish phase.
Momentum and Structure
Overall, momentum signals are tilting bullish-to-neutral, creating a favorable asymmetry for medium-term accumulation. Volatility remains contained, supporting risk-adjusted entry strategies.
Fundamental Analysis
Growing Adoption and Strategic Partnerships
- Payments & E-com: Integration with global payment platforms—most recently PayPal and several EU fintech—has strengthened Litecoin’s usefulness as a settlement asset.
- Developer Activity: GitHub data shows a sharp uptick in active contributors post-Ordinals release, with ecosystem tools (explorers, wallet APIs) proliferating.
- Community Engagement: Litecoin Foundation and its outreach teams have expanded partnerships with merchants, wallets, and institutional-grade infrastructure.
Attractive Relative Valuation
- Market Cap: With a capitalization at £5.7 billion, Litecoin commands the #18 rank on CoinMarketCap, yet remains undervalued relative to stablecoin-backed networks or Layer 1 narratives given its liquidity and network effects.
- Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV): With a capped supply of 84 million LTC and low inflation (~1%/year), the dilution risk is minimal compared to DeFi or meme coins.
- On-Chain Data: Over 7 million addresses with non-zero LTC balances; HODLer concentration is up; long-term wallets (6+ months) control over 45% of supply.
Structural Advantages
- Network Reliability: Litecoin’s blockchain has never suffered a major security breach or downtime in 12+ years, offering unmatched operational credibility.
- Scalability & Fees: Median transaction fees below £0.003; settlement times under 2.5 minutes—far ahead of most comparable UTXO blockchains.
- Innovation: With functionalities ranging from fungible to non-fungible tokens, and optional privacy, Litecoin sustains a unique hybrid positioning between Bitcoin’s conservatism and ETH’s programmability—without sacrificing speed or cost.
- Active, Vocal Community: Regular social engagement (Twitter, Reddit, Telegram) and transparent dev outreach enhance investor confidence.
Volume and Liquidity
- Daily Trading Volume: Sustained above £1.2 billion, providing ample liquidity for both retail and institutional players.
- Order Book Depth: Tight spreads and presence on all major spot and derivatives platforms bolster market confidence.
- Dominance: LTC remains a mainstay among “blue chip” cryptos, balancing both volatility and defensive traits.
Positive Catalysts and Forward-Looking Drivers
- Protocol & Feature Upgrades: Anticipation of further enhancements to MWEB privacy and wallet integrations in H2 2024 and early 2025.
- DeFi Integrations: Collaborations with cross-chain bridges (THORChain) and stablecoin protocols are expanding Litecoin’s role beyond payments into yield-generation and DeFi legos.
- Institutional Onboarding: Ongoing discussions for Litecoin ETPs in various regulated markets (Switzerland, Germany) hint at a pipeline of fresh institutional inflows.
- Favourable Regulatory Clarity: Litecoin’s long-standing PoW consensus and absence from US-SEC enforcement actions reinforce its status as a clear, non-contentious asset for funds and corporates.
Investment Strategies by Horizon
Short-Term (Weeks to 3 Months)
- Event-Driven Traders: Potential breakout above £85 could trigger rapid momentum swings toward the £100–£110 range on high volume; tactical entries on consolidation are viable.
- Catalysts: Monitor news on DeFi cross-chain integrations or additional ETP launches as immediate triggers.
Medium-Term (3–12 Months)
- Position Building: Accumulating LTC on technical pullbacks (e.g., retests of the £72–£74 level) appears compelling, as on-chain activity and development roadmap milestones are front-loaded across 2024/2025.
- Portfolio Diversification: Incorporating Litecoin for payment-sector exposure within a diversified crypto portfolio can provide both defensive and growth characteristics.
Long-Term (1–5 Years)
- Secular Accumulation: LTC’s capped supply, persistent adoption, and protocol resilience make it a credible “digital silver” to BTC’s “digital gold.”
- Pre-Event Entry: Historical halving cycles and major protocol upgrades have shown to be reliable entry points for multi-cycle returns.
- Risk-Reward Profile: Litecoin’s combination of high efficiency, regulatory clarity, and technical soundness support its case for core long-term allocations, especially compared to more experimental Layer 1s.
Litecoin Price Projections (2025-2029)
Based on current price: £76
| Year | Projected Price (GBP) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 101 |
| 2026 | 129 |
| 2027 | 160 |
| 2028 | 206 |
| 2029 | 260 |
Is Now the Right Time to Consider Litecoin?
Litecoin’s dynamic fundamentals—ranging from consistent transaction growth and new protocol innovations, to its established status as a payment asset—elevate its role within a balanced crypto portfolio. Its robust technical layout, surging on-chain activity, expanding ecosystem, and strong liquidity all combine to justify renewed investor interest. Visionary institutional moves, growing utility (NFTs, DeFi, privacy), and transparent regulatory footing suggest Litecoin’s next multi-year growth chapter is set to unfold.
For investors evaluating the current opportunity set, Litecoin clearly stands out: its fundamentals support the thesis for renewed upside, technical signals are aligning for breakout scenarios, and upcoming ecosystem milestones could serve as significant price catalysts. Litecoin retains the hallmarks of an asset poised for a new bullish cycle—one where disciplined risk management and timely positioning could enable investors to capture substantial value as digital payment networks continue to expand.
Litecoin remains a high-volatility cryptocurrency offering excellent opportunities for dynamic investment, but requiring disciplined risk oversight. The current technical setup demonstrates Litecoin’s capacity for swift, powerful price acceleration; however, evolving macro conditions call for selectivity and tactical entry. Critical levels to watch remain £72 as short-term support and £85 as a breakout trigger. Scheduled protocol enhancements and institutional product launches projected for FY2025 could ignite the next strategic phase of Litecoin’s evolution.
How to buy Litecoin?
It’s easy and secure to buy the cryptocurrency Litecoin online, provided you use a regulated platform. There are two main ways to invest: direct spot purchase (where you actually own Litecoin in a digital wallet), or trading via crypto CFDs, which lets you speculate on price movements without owning the asset. Each method has its own risks, costs, and opportunities for profit. If you’re new, comparing options helps you find the best fit for your goals—read on for a breakdown of spot buying vs. CFD trading, with a detailed platform comparison guide further down the page.
Spot Purchase
A spot purchase means you buy real Litecoins, which you then control in your own wallet—either on an exchange or a private wallet you manage. The typical cost involves a fixed commission, usually around 0.5–1% per transaction, taken in local currency (GBP).
Example
Suppose Litecoin is priced at £70 per coin. With an investment of £1,000 (not counting minor market fluctuation), you can buy about 14 Litecoins, including a transaction fee of around £5.
✔️ Profit scenario
If Litecoin’s price rises by 10%, your holding is now worth £1,100.
Result: A gross gain of +£100, representing a +10% increase on your investment.
Trading via CFD
Trading Litecoin via CFD (Contract for Difference) means you do not own real coins. Instead, you open a position on Litecoin’s price through a regulated broker. The main fees are the spread (the gap between buy and sell price) plus an overnight funding cost if you hold positions overnight. CFDs are typically leveraged—meaning you can invest more than your deposit.
Example
You open a CFD on Litecoin with a leverage of 5x, using £1,000 as your margin. Your exposure to the market is now £5,000.
✔️ Profit scenario
If Litecoin increases by 8%, your position grows by 8 % × 5 = 40 %, meaning a profit of £400 on your initial £1,000 (excluding fees).
Final Advice
Before investing, always scrutinise and compare the fees, spreads, and specific conditions of each platform—costs can have a real impact on your returns. The best approach depends on your goals: direct ownership suits long-term investors, while CFDs appeal to those seeking short-term opportunities and leverage. To help you decide, a detailed comparison of leading crypto platforms is available further down this page.
Compare the best cryptocurrency exchanges in the UK!Compare platformsOur 7 tips for buying Litecoin
| 📊 Step | 📝 Litecoin-specific tip |
|---|---|
| Analyse the market | Study Litecoin's price history, recent trends, and typical volatility compared to other major cryptocurrencies before investing. |
| Choose the right exchange | Select a UK-regulated and reputable exchange that lists Litecoin (such as Coinbase, Binance, Kraken), ensuring strong security. |
| Set your investment budget | Determine a clear budget based on your financial situation, and only invest what you can comfortably afford to lose. |
| Select your strategy | Decide if you want to hold Litecoin for the long term or trade short term, based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. |
| Monitor news & tech updates | Keep up to date with Litecoin’s network developments, UK regulations, and partnerships as these can impact price direction. |
| Use risk management tools | Utilise features such as stop-loss orders and portfolio diversification to reduce potential losses and manage your risk. |
| Sell at the right moment | Plan your exit strategy in advance, tracking profit targets and using technical analysis to identify optimal selling opportunities. |
The latest Litecoin news
Litecoin price demonstrated notable resilience, gaining over 7% this week amid moderate UK trading volumes. Recent data from CoinMarketCap and Binance UK show that LTC has outperformed several major altcoins in the last seven days, appreciating from approximately £61 to £66.5. Market sentiment in Britain improved following renewed confidence in the broader digital assets sector, particularly after a period of regulatory clarity from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Local trading activity on FCA-registered exchanges, such as CoinJar and Uphold, also reported a noticeable uptick in LTC/GBP pairs, indicating sustained interest from both retail and institutional investors within the UK market.
Coinbase UK reported a steady increase in Litecoin inflows from institutional clients based in London financial circles. Sources at Coinbase have highlighted a 12% week-on-week rise in inbound Litecoin liquidity, pointing to renewed risk appetite from hedge funds and family offices embracing Litecoin as a diversification tool. This trend aligns with growing demand for legacy digital assets with strong liquidity and established track records, suggesting a favourable positioning for Litecoin among professional UK investors wary of speculative, less proven coins.
Litecoin's network activity hit a six-month high, with transaction volumes buoyed by UK-based merchants accepting LTC payments. Blockchain explorers and regional payment processors like CoinCorner and BitPay have signalled a rise in Litecoin transaction usage across several British online retailers. Most notably, a well-publicised integration with a mid-sized e-commerce platform headquartered in Manchester led to a day-over-day doubling of LTC transactions last Tuesday. This surge underscores Litecoin’s attractiveness for merchants seeking lower transaction fees compared to competitors and enhances its profile as a practical payment solution in the UK digital commerce sector.
The UK Treasury reaffirmed its intention to maintain a crypto-friendly regulatory framework, explicitly mentioning Litecoin in its latest update. In a statement released earlier this week, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury referenced Litecoin alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum as cryptos that will benefit from forthcoming reforms aimed at fostering innovation and consumer protection. This recognition elevates Litecoin’s legitimacy in legal and institutional contexts and is widely interpreted by market watchers as a vote of confidence in the coin’s resilience and compliance record.
Grayscale’s Litecoin Trust (LTCN) saw renewed investor interest, with UK-based advisory firms recommending portfolio exposure to Litecoin. According to filings reviewed by The Block and CityAM, several wealth managers have begun assigning “watch” ratings to LTC for UK clients, citing Litecoin’s correlation with Bitcoin and its utility as a low-fee transfer mechanism. This marks the strongest positive sentiment from UK professional circles since late 2023 and is expected to support LTC’s adoption among British high-net-worth individuals and conservative institutional investors.
FAQ
What is the latest staking yield for Litecoin?
Litecoin does not offer a native staking mechanism at present. As a proof-of-work cryptocurrency, Litecoin operates in a similar way to Bitcoin, where mining—not staking—secures the network. Investors can participate in mining, but this typically requires specific equipment and technical knowledge. If you see staking offers for Litecoin, be cautious—they usually involve lending rather than actual staking.
What is the forecast for Litecoin in 2025, 2026 and 2027?
With Litecoin currently priced around £65, projections suggest its value could reach about £97 by the end of 2025, £130 by the end of 2026, and £195 by the end of 2027. Litecoin’s continued progress benefits from its fast transaction times, growing merchant acceptance, and established track record as a reliable “digital silver” alternative. Anticipated network upgrades could further support adoption and long-term growth.
Is now a good time to buy Litecoin?
Litecoin holds a solid position in the crypto market thanks to its longevity, efficient transactions, and steadily expanding ecosystem. Recent increases in on-chain activity and institutional interest highlight its resilience and relevance. As the crypto sector shows renewed strength, Litecoin may offer interesting opportunities for investors seeking exposure to established digital assets with proven utility.
What tax is applicable to capital gains from Litecoin in the UK?
In the UK, profits from selling Litecoin are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Individuals have an annual tax-free allowance (£6,000 for 2023/24) above which gains must be declared and are taxable. Litecoin is treated like other cryptoassets: you are required to report gains to HMRC, and accurate record-keeping of transactions is essential for compliance. Holding period does not affect the rate; declaration is mandatory upon sale or disposal.
What is the latest staking yield for Litecoin?
Litecoin does not offer a native staking mechanism at present. As a proof-of-work cryptocurrency, Litecoin operates in a similar way to Bitcoin, where mining—not staking—secures the network. Investors can participate in mining, but this typically requires specific equipment and technical knowledge. If you see staking offers for Litecoin, be cautious—they usually involve lending rather than actual staking.
What is the forecast for Litecoin in 2025, 2026 and 2027?
With Litecoin currently priced around £65, projections suggest its value could reach about £97 by the end of 2025, £130 by the end of 2026, and £195 by the end of 2027. Litecoin’s continued progress benefits from its fast transaction times, growing merchant acceptance, and established track record as a reliable “digital silver” alternative. Anticipated network upgrades could further support adoption and long-term growth.
Is now a good time to buy Litecoin?
Litecoin holds a solid position in the crypto market thanks to its longevity, efficient transactions, and steadily expanding ecosystem. Recent increases in on-chain activity and institutional interest highlight its resilience and relevance. As the crypto sector shows renewed strength, Litecoin may offer interesting opportunities for investors seeking exposure to established digital assets with proven utility.
What tax is applicable to capital gains from Litecoin in the UK?
In the UK, profits from selling Litecoin are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Individuals have an annual tax-free allowance (£6,000 for 2023/24) above which gains must be declared and are taxable. Litecoin is treated like other cryptoassets: you are required to report gains to HMRC, and accurate record-keeping of transactions is essential for compliance. Holding period does not affect the rate; declaration is mandatory upon sale or disposal.
