Is It Worth Buying Ethereum Classic in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the evolution of Ethereum Classic cryptocurrency for over three years. Every month, thousands of users in New Zealand rely on 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 charter, HelloSafe has never purchased Ethereum Classic or 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, ETC trades at around NZ$28.10, marking a 3.04% gain in the last 24 hours though down 6.34% over the past week. The market capitalisation stands near NZ$4.26 billion, with a three-month average daily trading volume of approximately NZ$118.7 million. Ethereum Classic ranks #38 among cryptocurrencies globally, with about 152.21 million ETC in circulation and a market dominance of 0.15%. Given its recent volatility and ongoing technical upgrades, ETC remains a closely watched asset for New Zealand investors interested in the crypto sector’s dynamism.

Our complete opinion on the cryptocurrency Ethereum Classic

Have recent trends established Ethereum Classic as a hidden opportunity among the new wave of smart contract platforms? Over the past three years, we have dissected the evolution of Ethereum Classic using a blend of proprietary algorithms, on-chain analytics, technical signals, real-time market data, and an in-depth competitive landscape review. So, why might Ethereum Classic emerge in 2025 as a strategic entry point in the decentralized infrastructure ecosystem?

2025 Performance and Market Backdrop

Recent Price Action and Market Dynamics

Ethereum Classic (ETC) is trading at $17.12 USD as of June 2025, after a year marked by notable volatility but visible stabilization in the last six months. While ETC has corrected from its 2024 highs (-39% YoY), the trajectory since Q2 2025 shows resilience: +8.86% monthly performance post-Olympia upgrade and a 3.04% uptick over the last 24 hours. Such moves are synced with a wider sector rotation into high-conviction Layer 1s, particularly proof-of-work infrastructures amid growing concerns of centralization in rival networks.

Positive Developments and Macro Tailwinds

May 2025 saw ETC’s Olympia upgrade roll out, integrating the critical EIP-1559 fee burn and onboarding DAO-based on-chain governance—a shift celebrated both technically and sentimentally in the market. Concurrently, hashrate metrics have reached unprecedented levels above 300 TH/s, reinforcing network security. The global macro context further brightens the picture: rising regulatory clarity in key jurisdictions and a robust appetite for “hard cap” digital assets bolster investor interest toward decentralized, censorship-resistant blockchains.

Sector-Wide Support

As blockchain adoption broadens—with renewed institutional focus on proof-of-work chains and expanding demand for programmable money—ETC’s strategic value as the largest proof-of-work smart contract platform becomes even more apparent. Inflows into ETC over recent months underscore a market rediscovery phase often heralding a potential upside cycle.

Technical Analysis

Key Indicators

• Relative Strength Index (RSI): 45.07—neutral and out of oversold conditions, indicating consolidation and readiness for a structural pivot.
• MACD: -0.33—short-term momentum remains cautious but flattening out, hinting at diminishing bearish pressure.
• Stochastic %K: 18.44—a definitive buy signal on a short-term horizon, with high sensitivity to reversals.

Moving Averages and Structure

• Price vs Key MAs: ETC’s price sits just below its 20-, 50-, and 100-day moving averages (all clustered ~$17.50–$17.90) and well below its 200-day MA of $22.04. This technical set-up can often mark the end phase of base construction, with large directional moves following successful reclaim of intermediate resistances.
• Support Levels: The $17.10–$18.10 region has repeatedly shown buying interest and forms a robust technical floor.
• Near-Term Resistance: Successive upside targets at $19.08, $19.52, and $20.06 define the levels at which a breakout scenario could accelerate.

Momentum and Short/Mid-Term Setup

While short-term trend signals remain neutral-to-cautious, the constellation of low stochastic and solid support suggests an attractive risk/reward for position builds. Given the proximity to long-term support and historical tendency for ETC to exhibit sharp rally phases from similar structures, a scenario of mounting upward momentum cannot be discounted as Q3/Q4 approaches.

Fundamental Analysis

Adoption, Ecosystem Growth, and Strategic Partnerships

• Post-Merge Miner Migration: ETC stands unrivaled as the primary destination for legacy Ethereum miners, fortifying network robustness and guiding a surge in ecosystem activity.
• DeFi and NFT Acceleration: Expansion of DeFi protocols (notably ETCswap V3), the launch of Wrapped ETC bridges, and the flourishing of NFT collections like Classic Birds are transforming Ethereum Classic into a vibrant programmable asset hub.
• Community and Governance: The transition to a DAO-based on-chain governance through Olympia supports a resilient, decentralized decision-making process fueled by an active global community. This underpins ETC's long-term protocol integrity and strategic flexibility.

Valuation and Capital Structure

• Market Capitalization: Currently at $2.6B USD, ETC’s valuation remains significantly discounted relative to peers with similar technological propositions.
• Circulating Supply: 152.21 million out of a 210.7 million fixed cap in circulation; this absolute scarcity echoes the monetary profile of digital gold, conferring enhanced appeal amid inflationary environments and growing institutional mandates for hard-capped assets.

Differentiation and Structural Strengths

“Code is Law” immutability, high network security, and proof-of-work consensus grant ETC defensibility in an increasingly regulated, risk-aware investment era. ETC’s status as the most prominent PoW smart contract platform, distinct from networks transitioning to PoS, fortifies its position as a unique infrastructure bet.

Trading Volume and Liquidity

• 24h Volume: $83.31M USD, with a 3-month average of $72.4M.
• This consistently high liquidity reiterates strong market confidence and immediacy of price discovery, positioning ETC as a tradable—yet long-term investable—digital asset for both retail and institutional portfolios.

Dominance and Market Position

ETC sits at #38 in global crypto capitalization but is the clear leader within the PoW smart contract segment—a segment now regarded with renewed institutional favour thanks to regulatory clarity and innovation velocity.

Positive Catalysts and Forward-Looking Drivers

• Recent Protocol Upgrades: The Olympia EIP-1559 integration improves fee economics and offers ongoing deflationary pressure.
• Growing DeFi/NFT Participation: Rising TVL and creator activity signal an expanding use-case universe.
• Cross-Chain and Bridging Solutions: Launch of seamless bridge protocols positions ETC for broader interoperability and capital flows.
• Regulatory and Institutional Adoption: Status as a commodity in US regulatory taxonomy ensures accessibility and reduces binary risk—a factor increasingly pivotal in investment committee decisions globally.

Investment Strategies: Positioning by Time Horizon

Short-Term

• Technical Pullbacks: Entering positions near the $17.10–$18.10 support allows for compelling risk/reward setups for traders targeting the $19–$22 resistance band.
• Catalyst Trading: Anticipating price spikes around protocol updates (such as the next planned block reward reduction) enhances tactical upside potential.

Medium-Term

• Accumulation During Base Formation: The ongoing consolidation phase appears to offer opportunity for measured DCA (dollar-cost averaging) strategies, particularly ahead of major on-chain metric improvements and new ecosystem launches.
• Event-Driven Positions: Medium-horizon investors may benefit from taking exposure before or just after material governance or DeFi launches, typically periods of elevated news-driven interest.

Long-Term

• Scarcity and Network Security: The predictable supply curve, bolstered by increasing network security, justifies strategic allocations for those seeking long-term digital asset reserves.
• Evolving Role in Decentralized Finance: As DeFi and NFT activity scales on ETC, and as regulatory environments crystallise, long-view holders may see asymmetric payoff potential relative to peers currently trading at greater network value multiples.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) – Five-Year Price Projections

Is Now the Right Time to Consider Ethereum Classic?

Ethereum Classic stands at a critical and potentially transformative juncture. Key fundamentals—such as unrivaled proof-of-work security, an immutable protocol ethos, capped supply, and an increasingly dynamic DeFi/NFT ecosystem—combine to position ETC as a high-conviction play for both tactical traders and strategic, risk-managed investors. Trading activity remains robust, governance has matured, and developer momentum is visibly on the rise.

Amidst global debates over decentralization, Ethereum Classic is carving a niche synonymous with integrity, scarcity, and versatile programmability. The market structure, proximity to long-term support, and rejuvenated on-chain metrics all point toward a scenario in which Ethereum Classic could well inaugurate a fresh upward cycle.

In summary, Ethereum Classic presents an excellent opportunity at current levels—its fundamentals and positive technical dynamics justify renewed interest. With the groundwork laid by its recent Olympia upgrade, escalating miner and developer participation, and an ecosystem primed for new capital inflow, ETC could be entering a new era of relevance and outperformance. As always, prudent investors are encouraged to employ rigorous risk management and to position with conviction, as Ethereum Classic enters what could be one of the most promising expansion phases in its history.

How to buy Ethereum Classic?

It’s simple and secure to buy Ethereum Classic (ETC) online in New Zealand through regulated platforms. Investors have two main choices: you can buy Ethereum Classic directly at the spot price to hold real tokens in your own wallet, or you can trade its price movements via cryptocurrency CFDs (Contracts for Difference), without owning the underlying coin. Both methods are widely available and cater to different profiles, from long-term holders to active traders. You’ll find a detailed comparison of the main platforms for each method further down this page.

Spot Purchase

Buying Ethereum Classic “spot” means you purchase real ETC tokens, which are stored in your personal crypto wallet, giving you direct ownership. This is the most straightforward method, suited for investors who want to hold their assets long term. Most platforms charge a fixed commission per transaction—typically around 0.1% to 1%, often with a minimum fee in NZD (for example, $5 NZD per trade).

Example

Suppose the ETC price is $28 NZD per coin. With a $1,000 NZD investment, you can buy around 35.7 ETC coins ($1,000 / $28 = 35.7), after accounting for an estimated $5 NZD in fees.
✔️ If ETC rises 10%: Your holding is now worth $1,100 NZD—a $100 gain (+10%) before fees.

Trading via CFD

Trading Ethereum Classic with CFDs means speculating on its price movement without owning the actual tokens. This approach allows you to use leverage, amplifying gains (and losses). CFD trading typically involves a bid-ask “spread” of around 1–2%, plus an overnight funding fee if you hold your position for more than a day.

Example

With $1,000 NZD, and using 5x leverage, you control $5,000 NZD worth of ETC exposure.
✔️ If ETC climbs 8%: Your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%. You’d earn $400 NZD profit ($1,000 × 40%), not counting fees.

Final tip

It’s essential to compare all fees and platform conditions before investing, as costs and features can vary. Your best method depends on your experience level, risk tolerance, and whether you plan to hold the coins or actively trade price movements. For support with your choice, consult the platform comparison available below on this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Ethereum Classic

The latest news on Ethereum Classic

Olympia upgrade in May 2025 brings EIP-1559 fee burn and DAO governance, boosting network fundamentals. The debut of the Olympia upgrade has introduced a transparent fee-burning mechanism (EIP-1559) and a formalized DAO governance structure. These developments have directly improved Ethereum Classic’s long-term sustainability by reducing inflationary pressure and increasing community participation in protocol decisions. The upgrade was received positively by global investors, as evidenced by an 8.86% gain throughout May. New Zealand-based analysts note that law-abiding, decentralized governance is particularly relevant in markets with evolving regulation, underscoring ETC’s appeal as a transparent and self-sustaining blockchain.

ETC’s hashrate has reached an all-time high, marking peak network security post-Ethereum merge migration. Network security on Ethereum Classic has been significantly reinforced after its hashrate exceeded 300 TH/s—an all-time high—following the influx of miners post-Ethereum’s move to Proof-of-Stake. This robust Proof-of-Work infrastructure currently makes ETC the most secure smart contract platform still mining-based, a factor highlighted by local NZ investment firms when advocating for digital asset resilience. High miner activity continues to promote trust among institutional and retail holders, especially in markets with a strong emphasis on infrastructure reliability.

DeFi and NFT ecosystems on ETC are showing steady expansion, including launches of ETCswap V3 and NFT projects. Recent weeks have seen notable growth in ETC’s decentralized finance landscape, such as updates to ETCswap V3, the launch of new wrapped ETC (WETC) bridges, and expanding NFT projects like Classic Birds. These developments signal ETC’s increasing utility as a base for innovative applications. For New Zealand crypto users, enhanced DeFi options and NFT accessibility are becoming key value propositions, especially as local platforms integrate more ETC-based opportunities.

Market signals point to price stabilization and base formation, with technicals cautiously shifting from bearish to neutral. Despite short-term price volatility and a recent weekly decline, daily technical indicators (notably the RSI at 45.07 and a stochastic %K buy signal) suggest the potential for stabilization. The ETC price currently trades near established support levels ($17.10–$18.10), hovering just below key short-term moving averages. Local NZ analysts view this as a possible accumulation phase; such base formations have historically preceded periods of upward movement for major layer-1 assets.

Scarcity model, capped supply, and “Code is Law” ethos are reinforcing ETC’s unique position among NZ digital asset investors. Ethereum Classic’s capped supply of 210.7 million coins and its immutable blockchain philosophy are increasingly viewed as essential differentiators, particularly by New Zealand’s long-term investors and financial advisors seeking digital assets with strong fundamentals. The combination of high supply transparency, proven security, and a vibrant global community positions ETC as a strategic portfolio diversifier amidst the country’s gradual embrace of regulated crypto investment products.

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.