Is It Worth Buying Ethereum Classic in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been closely monitoring the evolution of Ethereum Classic cryptocurrency for over three years. Each month, hundreds of thousands of users across the Philippines trust us to analyze 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 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. As of today, ETC is trading at around ₱1,010, reflecting a positive 3% change over the past seven days and a slight 24-hour move between -2.9% and +2.5%. The current market capitalization stands at approximately ₱155 billion, with an average daily trading volume near ₱4.1 billion over the past three months. Ranked #38 by market cap, ETC has 152.2 million tokens in circulation, representing about 0.16% of the total crypto market. While recent upgrades have sparked renewed interest, ETC remains a volatile asset—making careful monitoring essential for PH investors exploring crypto opportunities.

Our full review of the cryptocurrency Ethereum Classic

Have we finally reached the pivotal moment when Ethereum Classic (ETC) is poised to reclaim its place as a strategic entry within the broader smart contract and decentralized applications ecosystem? Our analysis encompasses the most recent developments and price action of Ethereum Classic, leveraging a three-year data window enriched by proprietary algorithms integrating on-chain analytics, technical signals, market metrics, and a thorough review of the competitive landscape. So, what exactly makes Ethereum Classic potentially one of the most compelling blockchain assets to watch for a breakout in 2025 and beyond?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Price Evolution

Ethereum Classic is currently trading near the $17.20–$17.26 USD range, marking a resilient recovery with a weekly gain of around 3% and an even more impressive 23.84% surge during May 2025. This momentum follows a year-to-date performance of +10%, including a sharp move up to $24.60 in Q2. The robust rebound has been underpinned by increased investor attention, positioning ETC as a surprisingly dynamic play amid an environment characterized by rotating capital from high-beta altcoins into more established, value-oriented blockchain projects.

Positive Catalysts and Events

A core driver of this performance is the landmark Olympia upgrade in May 2025, which introduced two decisive features for network value: transaction fee burning (reducing token supply, exerting positive price pressure), and the deployment of decentralized governance via a DAO structure. Both innovations have been immediately reflected by an uptick in price, on-chain activity, and sentiment among both technologists and investors.

Macro and Sectoral Tailwinds

• Growing institutional adoption across DeFi and smart contract platforms
• Renewed emphasis on Proof-of-Work (PoW) resilience and network security, particularly following high-profile protocol vulnerabilities among Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains
• The appeal of “original” chains in the context of regulatory debates, as ETC maintains absolute immutability and a transparent monetary policy

Technical Analysis

On-Chain and Technical Indicators

• RSI: Stands at ~42, signaling neutrality but with pockets of mild oversold sentiment, frequently seen at local bottoms ahead of trend reversals.
• MACD (3M): Still signals mild bearishness, but momentum on higher timeframes is shifting as short-term sellers exhaust their positions.
• Moving Averages: The price hovers just below key short- and mid-term moving averages, traditionally acting as a “springboard” for assets following periods of mean reversion.

Key Support and Resistance

• Critical support: $16–$17, indicating buyer commitment and defense of the recent uptrend.
• Resistance: $19.32–$24, which, if breached, could set the stage for a rapid rally toward the $30–$38 zone as projected by several independent models.

Structure and Momentum

The current pattern—a flush to support, quick bounce, consolidation, and then a technical catalyst (Olympia upgrade)—resembles setups historically preceding ETC’s multi-month rallies. In our multi-year comparative analysis, such phases have often forecasted new waves of buying as technical signals align with improved fundamentals.

Fundamental Analysis

Adoption and Ecosystem Growth

• Smart Contracts & DeFi: While not matching Ethereum’s size, ETC’s ecosystem is expanding through Wrapped ETC and interoperable protocols, drawing new developer and dApp interest.
• DAO Evolution: The Olympia upgrade signals a leap forward in decentralized governance, decentralizing strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
• PoW Differentiation: ETC’s steadfast commitment to PoW offers a unique value pillar—security, battle-tested integrity, and neutrality in settlement.

Attractive Valuation

• Market Cap: ~$2.62B places ETC in a sweet spot—sufficient size for deep liquidity and institutional flows, yet with significant upside relative to higher-priced L1 chains.
• Supply Dynamics: Fee burning reduces circulating ETC, magnifying any demand cycle.
• Relative Market Position: ETC remains a top-40 blockchain asset by market cap, but its market value per unit of transaction volume is notably below sector median, hinting at potential undervaluation.

Structural Strengths

• Immutability & Security: ETC is the original, unaltered Ethereum chain, with a dogged adherence to decentralization principles, making it highly attractive for applications requiring censorship resistance and long-term predictability.
• Active Community: The ETC ecosystem continues to ship upgrades, facilitate hackathons, and attract developer talent—even in market downturns, a clear sign of organic viability.

Volume and Liquidity

• 24H Trading Volume: Ranges between $68M and $73M, a robust figure underpinning price discovery and market reliability even during volatility.
• Market Dominance: ETC consistently ranks among the top-40 crypto assets, securing listings on all major exchanges and maintaining tight spreads.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Protocol Enhancements

• The Olympia upgrade (fee burning + DAO) delivers both immediate and ongoing value appreciation, aligning ETC with the most advanced tokenomics in the sector.
• More integration with DeFi and potential expansion toward the NFT and interoperability sectors are underway, poised to further expand real-world utility.

Sectoral and Regulatory Winds

• The shift of Ethereum to Proof-of-Stake has left a crucial market niche open for Proof-of-Work smart contract platforms—one that ETC is uniquely positioned to fill for institutional capital seeking regulatory clarity and project history.
• Increasing institutional dialogue, especially as ETC’s immutability becomes a sought-after feature in “real-world asset” (RWA) tokenization and large-scale DApp deployments.

Network Effects and Use Cases

• ETC’s unique approach (immutability, deterministic rules, fee burning) makes it a preferred chain for entities prioritizing transparent monetary policy and technical integrity.
• Any spike in migration from volatile or regulatory-threatened chains could funnel new capital and activity into ETC’s ecosystem.

Investment Strategies

Short-Term Horizon

• Technical Swing: The recent correction to $16–$17 provides a tactical entry for swing traders, coupled with reversal signs and potential quick mean-reversion up to the $19–$24 zone.
• Event-Driven Plays: With post-Olympia momentum and more upgrades on the roadmap, positive news flow can trigger outsized moves.

Medium-Term Horizon

• Momentum Building: Increased adoption, developer traction, and a fee-burning narrative underpin ETC’s base case for appreciation toward sector median valuations.
• Accumulation Phase: Dips toward the established support band can represent compelling “value rotation” entry points for those seeking risk-adjusted upside.

Long-Term Horizon

• Structural Bets: For investors seeking to capitalize on the evolution of smart contract blockchains, ETC’s unique mix—veteran PoW security, governance, and fee burning—suggests it is poised for multi-year compounding, particularly as cyclicality returns to the sector and regulatory clarity favours original-mainnet chains.
• Undervalued Asset: ETC’s comparatively low valuation relative to Ethereum and newer high-flyers could drive outsized catch-up growth as broader market attention rotates back to foundational protocols.

Is Now the Right Moment to Consider Ethereum Classic?

Ethereum Classic stands at the crossroads of technological innovation, structural resilience, and improving tokenomics. The ongoing effects of the Olympia upgrade—introducing both fee burning and decentralized governance—underline a newly emerging deflationary and community-aligned narrative. Market indicators suggest ETC is not only regaining momentum but is also attractively priced relative to its historical highs, with strong support, healthy liquidity, and an ecosystem poised for further expansion.

• Immutability and security anchored in Proof-of-Work, providing differentiated appeal versus competitors
• Active, programmable, and expanding ecosystem—now with enhanced DAO governance
• Fee-burning dynamics fostering incentive alignment and constraining long-term supply
• Structurally attractive relative valuation and deep market liquidity

Looking ahead, continued protocol innovation, stronger DeFi/NFT integrations, and the persistence of the “original chain” ethos bolster ETC’s role as a compelling alternative in the ever-evolving crypto economy. For investors focused on projects where fundamentals now justify renewed interest, Ethereum Classic could well be entering a new bullish phase—with its recent technical reset and macro tailwinds presenting what seems to be a compelling opportunity for forward-looking portfolios.

Important information

Ethereum Classic remains a high-volatility asset offering dynamic investment opportunities, though prudent risk management remains essential. The recent phase of price acceleration demonstrates ETC’s ability to deliver swift, powerful moves, while the evolving macro and regulatory context warrants selectivity and attention to key technical levels. The $16–$17 support zone has just proven its resilience, and with $19–$24 acting as immediate resistance, ETC holders can look toward the upcoming protocol enhancements as potential springboards for future growth.

How to buy Ethereum Classic?

It is now simple and secure to buy Ethereum Classic (ETC) online, especially when using regulated crypto platforms available in the Philippines. Investors have two main options: spot purchase (direct buying and holding the actual coin) or trading Ethereum Classic via CFDs (Contracts for Difference), which allows you to speculate on price changes without owning the crypto. Each method offers unique benefits depending on your profile and goals. For a detailed comparison of the best platforms to buy or trade ETC in the Philippines, check the comprehensive comparison table further down this page.

Spot Purchase

Buying Ethereum Classic “spot” means purchasing the actual coin and having it stored in your personal crypto wallet, giving you direct ownership. The main cost is a fixed commission per transaction, often in PHP or USD, depending on the platform (usually around 0.2%-0.5% per trade, with a minimum between PHP 50 and PHP 250).

Example

If Ethereum Classic’s price is $17.23 USD (₱1,000 ≈ $17.50 USD exchange), with ₱10,000 invested (about $175), you could buy about 10.16 ETC tokens, after accounting for roughly ₱100 (about $1.75) in transaction fees.

✔️ Gain scenario:
If ETC price increases by 10%, your holding would now be worth ₱11,000.
Result: +₱1,000 gain, or +10% on your investment.

Trading via CFD

Trading Ethereum Classic via CFD (Contract for Difference) means you don’t own the coin; instead, you speculate on its price movements. This method allows you to bet on both upward (“long”) and downward (“short”) moves, and you can use leverage to amplify gains (and risks). Fees include the bid-ask spread and an overnight financing charge if you hold positions overnight.

Example

You open a CFD position on ETC with a ₱10,000 margin and 5x leverage. This gives you market exposure of ₱50,000.

✔️ Gain scenario:
If the price of ETC rises by 8%, with 5x leverage, your return is 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: +₱4,000 gain, on a ₱10,000 initial investment (excluding fees).

Final Advice

Always compare platforms for fees, commissions, available pairs, and regulatory safety before investing in Ethereum Classic. The best method depends on your objectives and investing experience: spot buying suits those who aim to hold and own crypto, while CFD trading fits those comfortable with short-term speculation and leverage. Need help choosing? Our platform comparison tool below will guide you for the Philippine market.

Our 7 tips for buying Ethereum Classic

The latest news about Ethereum Classic

Ethereum Classic price saw a 3% increase over the past week, outperforming several major cryptos. This positive momentum is notable as it follows the recent global market volatility, and ETC’s weekly gain stands out amid generally sideways trading across large-cap altcoins. In the Philippines, increased trading volume on platforms like Binance and PDAX reinforces growing retail and institutional interest, with local traders citing ETC as an attractive Proof-of-Work alternative with active development. This enhanced participation from Philippine users can support price stability and future adoption in the region.

The May 2025 Olympia upgrade introduced fee burning and DAO governance, creating long-term deflationary and participatory incentives. This technical advancement directly benefited ETC’s utility and security, as demonstrated by a 23.84% price surge in May and increased developer activity. Local communities in the Philippines engaged in hackathons and developer meetups around the upgrade, fostering deeper blockchain talent and awareness. With fee burning potentially reducing effective token supply, and governance enabling more inclusive participation, ETC’s ecosystem in PH is expected to strengthen, especially for builders and early adopters.

Technical indicators point to a neutral but constructive outlook, with a forecasted 14% price gain likely. ETC’s position just below major moving averages and a Relative Strength Index near 42 indicate modest oversold conditions, setting the stage for a near-term rebound. Multiple technical analyses anticipate a short-term upward move toward $19.24, which, if confirmed, could trigger additional local buying as traders in PH respond rapidly to breakout signals. The presence of robust support between $16-$17 suggests downside risk is presently limited for local short-term investors.

Ethereum Classic’s distinction as a leading Proof-of-Work smart contract platform remains appealing amid regulatory clarity in the Philippines. Since the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to allow registered virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to operate with ETC, and no restrictions have been imposed on PoW coins, ETC enjoys a reliable regulatory framework for Filipino users. Institutions and fintech startups in PH increasingly consider listing ETC as a diversification asset, leveraging its immutability and censorship-resistance for use cases such as decentralized applications and tokenized assets.

Ongoing developer engagement and local community initiatives in PH drive awareness and potential integration of ETC in real-world applications. Recent webinars, university blockchain events, and collaborations with local fintech accelerators have included ETC as a core study and pilot platform. This sustained grassroots momentum, coupled with ETC’s global narrative as the original Ethereum chain, positions it as a strategic option for ecosystem growth in the Philippines, both from a technical and investment perspective.

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.