Should You Buy THORChain in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been closely monitoring the performance of the THORChain cryptocurrency for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users across Canada rely on us to break down 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 THORChain nor received compensation from any entity associated with its ecosystem.

THORChain at a Glance

How much does 1 THORChain cost?

The price of THORChain is down this week. As of today, RUNE is trading at approximately CA$2.30, with a 24-hour decrease of 3.39% and a weekly drop of around 12.7%. The market capitalization stands at CA$820 million, making it the 91st largest cryptocurrency by market value, while the average three-month daily trading volume is CA$120 million. About 351.4 million RUNE tokens are in circulation, giving the project a market dominance of 0.06% within the crypto sector. THORChain remains a dynamic asset, and its recent volatility highlights both the risks and the potential opportunities for investors in the Canadian market.

Our complete review of the cryptocurrency THORChain

Have we, as investors seeking alpha in the rapidly shifting DeFi landscape, given THORChain the unbiased technical and fundamental scrutiny it now deserves? Over the past three years, we’ve rigorously monitored the protocol’s evolution, drawing on cross-referenced on-chain analytics, technical pattern recognition, and a quantitative comparison of market data with peer protocols. So, why could THORChain be on track to re-emerge in 2025 as a strategic entry point within the cross-chain asset transfer ecosystem?

Performance and Market Context

Recent Price Evolution

THORChain (RUNE), as of June 4, 2025, trades at $1.68 USD, exhibiting +72.9% growth over the past twelve months—a clear sign of renewed market interest following a period of recalibration. While short-term volatility has prevailed (with recent weekly drawdowns of -12% and notable intraday retracements), these price swings are characteristic of broader DeFi infrastructure tokens navigating pivotal restructuring events.

Recent Positive Events

• Debt Restructuring & THORFi Revamp: The innovative deployment of TCY tokens is actively addressing the $200 million protocol debt, laying a foundation for financial stabilization and future protocol expansion.
• Network Upgrades: With the v3.5.0 mainnet update successfully deployed, users benefit from streamlined network stability and reduced operational fees—a clear edge as DeFi cost efficiency becomes increasingly central.
• Cross-Chain Integration Momentum: The finalized support for XRP and Base Chain underscores THORChain’s technical ambition and ability to aggregate liquidity from previously siloed ecosystems.

Macro/Sector Context

THORChain’s market context is notably favorable, with large-scale capital inflows observable across DeFi protocols and cross-chain bridges. As legacy financial infrastructure increasingly interfaces with native blockchain rails, protocols capable of facilitating secure, trust-minimized asset transfers are poised to benefit. 2025’s regulatory environment in CA and abroad has grown more accommodating towards compliant DeFi infrastructure projects, which is very supportive for market sentiment and institutional adoption.

Technical Analysis

Key Indicators

• RSI (14d): 47.07 (neutral), indicating no overheated conditions and signaling room for healthy upward momentum.
• MACD: 0.021 (mild sell), typically observed during the tail-end of local downtrends and potential prelude to reversal zones.
• Moving Averages:
• Short-Term: 10-day ($1.78) and 20-day ($1.83) averages slightly above current price, suggesting recent pressure but highlighting strong rebound potential at oversold levels.
• Medium/Long-Term: 50-day ($1.58) and 100-day ($1.39) averages signal underlying bullish trends.
• 200-day ($2.69) remains a key resistance; should RUNE reclaim and sustain above, the structure would be firmly bullish.

Support/Resistance Levels

• Immediate Support: $1.65, $1.57, $1.53—zones consistently defended during retracements, evidencing accumulation.
• Major Resistances: $2.09, $2.49—catalyst-driven moves above these levels could signal a renewed momentum cycle.

Short/Mid-Term Outlook

• The technical structure suggests a transitional phase: while minor selling persists, the proximity to well-tested supports, combined with a flattening of momentum oscillators, frames an environment ripe for bullish reversals should incoming protocol updates or macro capital inflows materialize.
• High 24h average trading volumes ($86–94 million) underline robust liquidity and growing trader participation.

Fundamental Analysis

Adoption and Ecosystem Growth

• Total Value Locked (TVL): $151–169 million—a competitive figure for cross-chain DeFi, especially considering the protocol’s ongoing restructuring.
• Transaction Volumes: $19.3 billion handled in Q1 2024 (+53%), validating strong product-market fit and sticky user engagement, even during challenging periods.
• Strategic Partnerships and Integrations: Expansion via Base Chain, XRP, and upcoming TRON network connectivity broadens RUNE’s addressable market and operational moat.

Relative Valuation

• Market Cap/TVL Ratio: Ranging 3.5–3.9, reflecting reasonable relative valuation when compared to sector peers possessing similar cross-chain native capabilities.
• Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV): $715–716 million ensures room for re-rating as protocol risks abate and adoption accelerates.

Structural Strengths

• Technological Edge: THORChain remains the only major DeFi protocol enabling native layer swaps (including Bitcoin and XRP) without centralized bridges or wrapped assets—an advantage amplified by growing demand for non-custodial cross-chain functionality.
• Economic Model: The unique 3:1 RUNE collateral ratio guarantees sustained token demand as liquidity deepens, reinforcing price floors.
• Developer & Community Vitality: A decentralized governance structure (no CEO, node-run decision-making) and active stewardship by Nine Realms foster resilience, innovation, and grassroots alignment.
• Liquidity & Market Presence: Regular multi-million dollar daily trading volumes confirm THORChain’s entrenched status among leading infrastructure tokens.

Volume & Liquidity

• Persistent high trading volumes ($86–94 million/24h) and aggressive exchange support (Binance, KuCoin, MEXC) foster confidence for both individual and institutional actors.
• RUNE’s market capitalization expenditure ranks it in the upper echelon of cross-chain and DeFi assets, while still retaining significant upside.

Positioning

THORChain’s dominance in the cross-chain protocol niche provides differentiation from bridge-centric competitors, further reinforced by its capacity for non-wrapped token swaps.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

• Upcoming Roadmap: Q2/Q3 2025 will see sizable protocol expansions (TRON, additional L1s), an enhanced Developer Suite, and adoption integrations such as Ledger Live—each representing potential inflection points for user growth and TVL scaling.
• Streaming Swaps and Bifrost Protocol: Lower transaction friction and deeper liquidity aggregation will continue to fuel usage and recurring fee generation.
• Market Structure: The normalization of DeFi within digital asset portfolios, combined with increasing regulatory clarity, situates THORChain favorably versus peers still navigating legal uncertainties.
• Institutional Onboarding: As major wallets and custodial solutions integrate RUNE, the protocol’s compatibility with compliance-oriented actors will only deepen.

Investment Strategies: Entry Points & Horizons

Short-Term (Swing/Speculative)

RUNE’s current positioning near multi-month support zones ($1.65–$1.53) offers appealing risk/reward for tactical traders seeking mean-reversion plays—especially with momentum oscillators resetting and market anticipation building around protocol announcements.

Medium-Term (Trend-Following)

For trend investors, Q2/Q3 roadmap deliverables—including the resumption of THORFi products and the rollout of new integrations—may become decisive narrative and liquidity drivers. Accumulation during consolidation phases or minor pullbacks could enable prime exposure before new adoption cycles.

Long-Term (Core Thematic Allocation)

• For high-conviction, long-term capital, the structural case for RUNE is underpinned by:
• Unique cross-chain and native swap utility network effect,
• Scarcity mechanics tied to a max cap of 500 million RUNE,
• A developer-driven and decentralized ethos that appeals to the DeFi purist community.
• Staged accumulation during market-wide resets or in the run-up to major protocol upgrades may optimize exposure to potential upside as operational risks subside.

THORChain Price Projections (2025–2029)

Is Now the Time to Consider THORChain?

THORChain today combines a confluence of compelling market and protocol signals. Its fundamentals justify renewed interest: robust transaction volumes, expanding integrations, a proven model for decentralized cross-chain liquidity, and an active, technically skilled community. Despite short-term volatility and the headline risks associated with ongoing financial restructuring, the protocol continues to demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and unique technological advantages.

Looking forward, THORChain’s ability to enable seamless, non-custodial swaps for major digital assets—including Bitcoin and XRP—positions it at the epicenter of next-generation DeFi. Positive momentum in roadmap execution (notably the return of THORFi, expansion to new chains, and institutional onboarding) could serve as significant upside catalysts.

Given its tested support levels, attractive valuation metrics relative to its addressable market, deepening exchange liquidity, and upcoming protocol milestones, THORChain increasingly seems to represent an excellent opportunity for allocation within a diversified digital asset strategy. The structural drivers underpinning RUNE’s value proposition remain as relevant as ever, and with renewed market optimism, THORChain could well be on the verge of a new growth cycle.

THORChain remains a high-volatility crypto asset with pronounced upside for dynamic investment strategies—though one requiring continued, disciplined risk management. Recent price compression and the proximity to major technical support suggest that risk-adjusted entries, especially ahead of 2025’s planned upgrades, may offer attractive exposure to the next upward phase. Key technical levels to track are $1.65 as immediate support and $2.09 as the first resistance pivot. Should the upcoming THORFi relaunch trigger renewed demand, the ensuing price movement could mark a new era for THORChain in the evolving DeFi ecosystem.

How to buy THORChain?

It’s easy and secure to purchase THORChain (RUNE), the native cryptocurrency of the THORChain protocol, online through a regulated platform available in Canada. There are two main ways to get exposure: the first is spot buying, where you directly own RUNE coins stored in your wallet; the second is trading crypto CFDs (Contracts for Difference), which allows you to speculate on the price movement without actually holding the coins. Each approach has its own advantages, and choosing the right method depends on your strategy. Below, you’ll find a detailed comparison of reputable platforms to help you make the best decision for your needs.

Spot Purchase

Buying THORChain (RUNE) “on the spot” means you acquire the actual coins, which are then held in your exchange or personal wallet. This approach gives you true ownership and full control over your asset, allowing you to send, store, or use RUNE freely.

On most Canadian platforms, typical fees include a flat transaction commission (often between $1 and $5 CAD per trade) or a percentage of the exchanged amount, plus potential network fees. For example:

Informations importantes

If the current price of THORChain is $1.68 USD (approx. $2.30 CAD), with an investment of $1,000 CAD, you could purchase about 434 RUNE coins (after accounting for roughly $5 CAD in transaction fees). ✔️ Profit scenario: If RUNE’s price rises by 10%, your holdings would then be worth $1,100 CAD. Result: that’s a gain of $100 CAD (or +10%) on your initial investment.

CFD Trading

Trading THORChain via CFDs means you’re speculating on price movements, not owning the actual coin. With this method, you can use leverage, potentially increasing your gains (or losses).

CFD trading typically involves a spread (the difference between buying and selling prices) and a daily overnight financing cost if the position is held for more than a day. Here’s a typical example:

Informations importantes

You open a CFD position on RUNE with a $1,000 CAD stake and select 5x leverage. This means you’re exposed to $5,000 CAD worth of RUNE’s market fluctuations. ✔️ Profit scenario: If RUNE’s price climbs 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%. Result: You’ve earned $400 CAD profit on your $1,000 CAD margin (excluding fees).

Final Advice

Before investing, always compare the rates, commissions, and terms offered by different platforms—these can significantly affect your net returns. The choice between spot buying and CFD trading comes down to your personal goals, risk tolerance, and experience. Explore our platform comparison below for a clear overview of your best options in Canada.

Our 7 tips for buying THORChain

The latest news about THORChain

THORChain recently completed the integration of the XRP network, significantly enhancing cross-chain swap utility and liquidity. This strategic advancement enables direct swaps between XRP and major assets like BTC and ETH natively, removing the need for wrapped tokens and centralized bridges. For Canadian investors and DeFi users, this expands direct access to one of the most liquid global crypto assets within a decentralized environment, potentially driving increased local participation and trading activity on platforms leveraging the THORChain protocol. The integration is especially relevant given the presence of multiple Canadian exchanges and DeFi projects actively seeking robust cross-chain infrastructure solutions, aligning with user demand for seamless asset mobility across blockchains.

THORChain launched the v3.5.0 network update, bringing improved network stability and reduced transaction fees just as Canadian DeFi activity rises. This update delivers lower latency, enhanced reliability, and more cost-effective swap execution at a pivotal time for Canadian crypto markets, which are seeing steady institutional and retail adoption. With reduced friction and costs, this upgrade may support greater trading volumes from Canadian users, who are increasingly cost-sensitive amid evolving tax and regulatory disclosure frameworks. Additionally, these technical improvements position THORChain as more attractive infrastructure for both Canadian developers and projects in search of reliable cross-chain DeFi rails.

The recent integration of the Base blockchain and confirmation of upcoming TRON support mark THORChain’s commitment to cross-chain expansion, a key driver for adoption in global and Canadian markets. Base, having been embraced by North American developers, expands the protocol’s relevance to Web3 builders seeking secure, non-custodial asset routing between L1s. The confirmed roadmap to support TRON—another chain popular in Canada for stablecoin transactions—further highlights THORChain’s strategy to become the backbone of multi-chain value transfer. These integrations strengthen its appeal for Canadian fintech entrepreneurs and trading platforms seeking regulatory-compliant and innovative on-chain liquidity rails.

THORChain’s protocol continues to lead in native Bitcoin DeFi swaps, a unique differentiator reaffirmed by handling $19.3 billion in Q1 2024 volume—up 53% YoY. This robust transactional growth demonstrates strong product-market fit for trustless, cross-chain swaps and is particularly constructive for Canadians seeking decentralized, non-custodial exposure to Bitcoin and ETH. The platform’s architecture stands out in a market where local investors, institutions, and developers are explicitly seeking alternatives to wrapped assets and centralized services, in line with Canada’s progressive stance on digital asset innovation and investor protection.

Despite a short-term negative price move, THORChain retains long-term growth optimism powered by active development, a strong market position, and constructive adoption trends in Canada. After a 12% weekly dip, RUNE remains up nearly 73% year-over-year, reflecting strong resilience relative to broad altcoin volatility. Technical indicators point to near-term support and potential price stabilization around current levels, supported by active exchange volume ($86–94 million daily) and a healthy trading ecosystem visible in Canadian-facing exchanges. The protocol’s unique economic model and persistent innovation continue to position it favorably for a rebound, with many Canadian crypto analysts projecting ongoing relevance as cross-chain DeFi infrastructure matures provincially and nationwide.

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.