Is It Worth Buying Ethereum Classic in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the evolution of the Ethereum Classic cryptocurrency for over three years. Each month, hundreds of thousands of users in Canada trust us to analyze market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our reports are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In line with our ethical guidelines, 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, ETC trades at approximately CA$24.15, showing a 0.4% gain over the past 24 hours and a 3.6% rise across the last week. Market capitalization stands at about CA$3.68 billion, with an average three-month trading volume near CA$81.3 million. Ethereum Classic is ranked #50 by market cap, with around 152.18 million ETC in circulation and representing roughly 0.18% of the total crypto market. As prices remain volatile, ETC continues to draw interest from Canadian investors seeking both risk and potential in the evolving digital asset landscape.

Our complete review of the cryptocurrency Ethereum Classic

Have recent developments in Ethereum Classic (ETC) truly marked a transformative new phase for this original smart-contract blockchain? Over the past three years, we’ve systematically analyzed its evolving performance, drawing from proprietary algorithms that synthesize on-chain metrics, technical signals, market data, and competitive trends. So, why could Ethereum Classic emerge in 2025 as a strategic entry point within the smart contract and decentralized settlement ecosystem?

Performance Review and Market Context

Recent Price Action

Ethereum Classic has posted a robust 40% annual appreciation, with the spot price currently around $17.57 USD (June 2025). Short-term moves remain constructive: ETC is up +0.4% on 24 hours, +3.6% over the past week, and +11.1% on the last 30 days. Volatility has normalized after 2024’s broader crypto correction, resting ETC some 89% below its 2021 all-time high ($167.09) but maintaining resilience and outperformance against large-cap peers.

Positive Recent Events

The catalyst for renewed network optimism came with the Olympia upgrade (May 2025), which delivered the long-anticipated EIP-1559 fee burn, reducing inflationary pressures and enhancing scarcity. The upgrade also introduced enhancements to network security, transaction throughput, and governance—ushering the Olympia DAO and treasury mechanisms. Additionally, ETC’s integration with EVM-compatible bridges supports cross-chain activity, unlocking new liquidity sources for DeFi protocols.

Crypto-Friendly Macroeconomic Backdrop

Broader sector momentum remains constructive: institutional flows into PoW and “OG” networks have been strong, with Grayscale’s ETC Trust providing regulated access and significant secondary market liquidity. Moreover, regulatory clarity in major jurisdictions—treating ETC as a commodity—has contributed to a positive macro context for established layer 1 blockchains.

Technical Analysis

On-Chain and Technical Indicators

• Relative Strength Index (RSI): Near 43.4, signifying neutral conditions and scope for upward momentum without overbought risk.
• MACD: Slightly negative (-0.65), indicating some hesitation but consistent with consolidation phases preceding significant upside retracements in the past.
• Moving Averages: Mixed in the short term, with price near support levels—a setup often construed as a potential for mean-reversion or upside reversal.

Support & Resistance

• Strong Supports: $18.10 / $17.55 / $17.11—these zones have demonstrated consistent buying interest and should be watched for evidence of accumulation.
• Key Resistances: $19.08 to $20.06 remains the short-term upside target in the event of a technical breakout, with further momentum possible above psychological barriers ($22 and $25 levels).

Structural Momentum

Recent increases in both daily and weekly trading volumes (+37% in 24h volume to $59M) point to growing market confidence and renewed trader interest. The current structure, with price consolidating above long-term supports, positions ETC for a potential medium-term bullish reversal, especially if volume expansion persists.

Fundamental Analysis

Network and Ecosystem Growth

• Deflationary Supply: The hard cap of 210.7M ETC and EIP-1559’s burn mechanism install a clear scarcity narrative, reinforcing ETC’s value proposition as both a smart contract platform and a potential store-of-value.
• Proof of Work Security: ETC maintains a robust, battle-tested PoW consensus, drawing institutional support (notably, via Grayscale trusts) that prioritizes network immutability and auditability.
• Ecosystem Expansion: Recent months have seen an uptick in developer activity, cross-chain DeFi integrations, and the kickstart of the Olympia DAO—strengthening governance and capital allocation.

Relative Value and Market Metrics

• Market Cap: $2.67B—moderate relative to historic highs, with a fully diluted valuation at parity (due to hard cap implementation).
• Volume: $59M traded daily, signaling strong liquidity; ETC remains a top-50 asset by trading volume and market capitalization.
• Dominance: While ETC faces competition, it stands alone among “legacy” chains for its pure commitment to blockchain immutability and “Code is Law.”

Strategic Differentiators

• ETC is uniquely positioned as the “original” Ethereum chain, supporting Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) smart contracts and dApps yet anchored in an uncompromising approach to immutability. This appeals to a subset of institutional and philosophical investors who view network resiliency, decentralization, and guaranteed rules as paramount.
• Open, community-led governance, absence of a controlling foundation, and a long history of security bolster ETC’s reputation as a credible, censorship-resistant protocol.

Liquidity, Positioning, and Institutional Access

• Exchange Coverage: ETC is listed on all major international exchanges, with robust on-ramp and custody infrastructure.
• Derivative and Trust Access: ETC/USDT pairs are active, and investment trust products (e.g., Grayscale) enable exposure via traditional financial platforms.

Bullish Catalysts & Positive Outlook

• Protocol Evolution: The rollout of EIP-1559 and the Olympia DAO introduce robust, ongoing deflationary incentives and streamline decentralized governance—addressing two of the network’s historical weaknesses.
• Cross-chain DeFi: Increased EVM bridge compatibility enables new capital inflows, while DeFi and NFT use-cases expand, leveraging ETC’s security profile.
• Regulatory Clarity: Clear treatment as a commodity (not a security) in North America and Europe underpins institutional comfort.
• Institutional Inflow: Grayscale, among other vehicles, has triggered renewed institutional participation and narrative momentum.

Forward-Looking Catalysts

• Any acceleration in DeFi activity, dApp development, or Layer 2 adoption using ETC infrastructure could sharply catalyze revaluation.
• Further protocol updates, particularly those enhancing scalability or transaction speed, would reinforce ETC’s comparative value.
• Growing global scrutiny of PoS mechanisms may drive renewed interest in established PoW chains for core settlement use-cases, indirectly benefiting ETC.

Investment Strategies (by Horizon)

Short-Term (Weeks to Months)

• Range Trading: ETC’s proximity to key technical supports ($17.11–$18.10) and recent surges in volume suggest accumulation zones for contrarian traders.
• Event-Driven Plays: Positioning ahead of further Olympia DAO developments or protocol upgrade announcements could provide targeted upside exposure.

Medium-Term (3–12 Months)

• Breakout Anticipation: A clear breach of resistance zones ($19.08, $20.06) could trigger accelerated upside, targeting initial reversion to fair value zones ($22+).
• Fundamental Accumulation: Ongoing supply reduction (post-EIP-1559), combined with rising DeFi adoption and new dApp launches, should reinforce the bull thesis for patient capital.

Long-Term (12+ Months)

• Core Portfolio Diversification: ETC’s fixed-supply, high-security PoW ledger, and institutional-grade access make it a compelling long-term strategic allocation, especially for those seeking differentiated smart contract exposure with clear scarcity cues.
• Accumulating on Pullbacks: Historically, ETC has outperformed following deep cyclical corrections, positioning patient investors who scale in during periods of market complacency to benefit from future expansions.

Ethereum Classic Price Projections (2025–2029)

Is Now the Right Moment to Consider Ethereum Classic?

Summary of Strengths

• Deflationary supply and EIP-1559’s burn—clear scarcity value.
• Longstanding PoW consensus ensures maximum network immutability and resilience.
• Institutional-grade access and liquidity, including established trust products and major exchange presence.
• Ongoing upgrades (Olympia, cross-chain bridges, governance via DAO) materially enhance ETC’s positioning in the smart contract and DeFi space.
• Projected price performance signals substantial medium to long-term upside potential.

Optimistic Outlook & Conviction
On a risk-adjusted basis, Ethereum Classic’s current market structure, fundamental upgrades, and clear deflationary mechanics justify renewed and active interest from investors seeking differentiated smart contract and Layer 1 exposure. ETC combines proven resilience with emerging network utility; the confluence of supply reduction, protocol improvement, and institutional inflows could well spark a new phase of valuation rerating.

Ethereum Classic remains a high-volatility digital asset offering tremendous potential for dynamic investors who balance opportunity with disciplined risk management. As price momentum accelerates and technological progress continues, the case for considering ETC as a strategic entry in a diversified crypto portfolio appears increasingly strong—especially with the next protocol update poised as a key catalyst.

Key technical levels to monitor are $18 as a pivotal support and $20 as a major breakout resistance. The application of EIP-1559 and the launch of new DAO governance both reinforce network value and set the stage for dynamic future price action.

How to buy Ethereum Classic?

It’s simple and secure to buy Ethereum Classic (ETC) online using a regulated crypto platform in Canada. You have two main routes: spot purchase (where you own the coins directly in your wallet), and crypto CFD trading (where you speculate on price moves without direct ownership). Each approach has its own benefits and risks. If you’re ready to compare offers, our platform comparison can help you choose—see the detailed table further down this page.

Spot Purchase

Spot purchase involves buying Ethereum Classic (ETC) directly, giving you true ownership of the coins stored in a crypto wallet (either on the platform or externally). On Canadian platforms, typical fees include a fixed commission per transaction or a percentage of your order, usually deducted in CAD.

Example

Let’s say ETC is trading at $17.57 USD (about $24 CAD). With a $1,000 CAD investment, you could buy approximately 41 ETC coins after subtracting a $5 transaction fee. Your ETC will be stored safely in your wallet, ready to sell or transfer anytime.

✔️ Gain scenario

If ETC rises by 10%, your holdings are now worth $1,100 CAD. That’s a gross profit of $100, or +10% on your investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading allows you to speculate on the price of Ethereum Classic without actually owning any coins. Your position tracks ETC’s price movements, and you can also use leverage. CFD trading platforms typically charge a spread (the gap between buy/sell prices), plus overnight financing fees if you hold leveraged positions after market close.

Example

You open a CFD position on ETC using $1,000 CAD at 5x leverage, gaining a market exposure of $5,000 CAD. If ETC’s price climbs by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.

✔️ Gain scenario

Your profit is $400 on a $1,000 stake (before fees), thanks to the leverage effect.

Final Advice

Before investing, always compare platform fees and terms, as costs and features can vary widely. Your ideal method depends on your investment goals—spot for ownership and long-term holding, CFD for active, leveraged trading and flexibility. For help choosing a platform, check out our up-to-date comparator located just below on this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Ethereum Classic

The latest news about Ethereum Classic

Ethereum Classic has implemented the Olympia upgrade, introducing EIP-1559 with fee burning and enhanced security.

In May 2025, the Olympia upgrade rolled out on the ETC mainnet, marking a strategic enhancement for the protocol by implementing EIP-1559—an upgrade widely recognized for increasing network efficiency via a fee-burning mechanism, reducing the net issuance of coins over time and creating a deflationary pressure on supply. This move also brings improved scalability and notably lowers transaction fees, thus improving the blockchain’s attractiveness for both users and developers. Additionally, the upgrade introduced the Olympia DAO and a new treasury structure, further strengthening decentralized governance. These protocol changes are relevant for Canadian market participants, as regulated custodians and exchanges in the region increasingly prefer blockchains with mature governance and supply discipline, aligning ETC’s design more closely with institutional and compliance standards observed in Canada.

ETC’s price performance has been strong, with a 40% annual gain and a recent 7-day uptick of +3.6%.

Ethereum Classic's market price has demonstrated resilience, maintaining a current level of $17.57 USD, with a 1-year return of 40%, outperforming a significant portion of the broader crypto market. The coin registered a +3.6% change in the last week and a 11.1% rise over 30 days. This is paired with a notable surge—a 37% increase—in daily trading volume, suggesting growing liquidity and interest. For Canadian traders and investors, this positive trend signals robust market engagement, and the asset’s presence and performance on widely used Canadian exchanges such as Bitbuy, Coinsquare, and NDAX enables easy participation with CAD pairs and regulated fiat on-ramps.

Institutional access to ETC through the Grayscale Ethereum Classic Trust supports growing Canadian interest in compliant crypto investments.

ETC is accessible via established North American investment vehicles, most notably Grayscale’s ETC Trust (OTCQX: ETCG), which is available to Canadian investors through cross-border brokerages and select pension portfolio products. This accessibility is a key driver of interest among professional and institutional investors in Canada, where regulatory compliance and custody assurances are paramount for portfolio allocation. The ETC Trust, subject to both US and Canadian reporting standards, helps meet due diligence requirements for accredited Canadian investors and pensions seeking blockchain exposure while remaining within OSC and IIROC regulatory frameworks.

Technical progress with cross-chain bridges and EVM compatibility is enhancing ETC’s relevance in the Canadian DeFi ecosystem.

Recent network improvements introduced EVM-compatible bridges, facilitating interoperability with Ethereum and other blockchain platforms. For the Canadian market, this expands ETC’s integration with the growing local DeFi ecosystem, supporting decentralized application development and token swaps directly from ETC to Ethereum or alternative chains. These enhancements make ETC increasingly useful for Canadian developers and startups pursuing DeFi, NFT, or enterprise projects, leveraging Canada’s strong blockchain research and innovation sectors.

ETC’s Proof-of-Work consensus and fixed supply model align with Canadian demand for transparent, decentralized value stores reminiscent of Bitcoin.

The persistence of Proof-of-Work on ETC, combined with a strict 210.7M token cap and now a fee-burn mechanism, is resonating with the Canadian investment community’s interest in hard-capped, transparent, and decentralized value stores. These features mirror Bitcoin’s scarcity model, which is widely regarded in Canada’s digital asset regulatory dialogue and aligns with risk management principles for wealth management and institutional investment strategies. As Canada maintains a clear regulatory framework supporting transparent and fully trackable crypto assets, ETC’s predictable tokenomics and historical security stand out as positive signals.

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.