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Where & How to Buy Ethereum Classic (ETC) for Beginners in 2025
In this guide
- 1. Where & How to Buy Ethereum Classic (ETC) for Beginners in 2025
- 2. How to buy Ethereum Classic in 4 steps
- 3. Best exchanges to get started, reviewed
- 4. How to trade ETC
- 5. What is the best way to pay for Ethereum Classic (ETC)?
- 6. How do I store Ethereum Classic (ETC)?
- 7. Is now a good time to buy Ethereum Classic?
- 8. Is Ethereum Classic (ETC) a good investment?
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Ethereum Classic coins are not easily available to buy via cryptocurrency exchanges. A lot of altcoins exist only in the peer-2-peer market (P2P), where you use a ‘decentralized crypto exchange’ to get your hands on Ethereum Classic.
These exchanges function similar to a physical marketplace, where people go to trade things with each other.
You can’t really ‘buy’ Ethereum Classic with US dollars. Altcoins like this are only traded for other cryptocurrencies, such as USDT, Ethereum, Solana, or Binance Coin, in a process that’s commonly referred to as a ‘swap’ or ‘swapping’.
This means that to purchase Ethereum Classic you need to first own another crypto, like USDT or Ethereum, to swap for ETC.
Don’t worry, it sounds complicated at first, but once you’re set up and you’ve done it a few times it’s a fairly quick process. Use the guide below to learn how to swap USDT for ETC.
How to buy Ethereum Classic in 4 steps
Copy link to sectionTo buy Ethereum Classic you need a smartphone or a computer and an internet connection. It can take up to an hour the first time and you should have some photo ID to hand.
For the purposes of this guide, we’ll use USDT in all our examples as it mirrors the US dollar and keeps things simple for beginners. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1. Sign up to a crypto platform
Copy link to sectionWe’ve ranked eToro as the best crypto platform to get started with. We chose this because the exchange lets you buy and withdraw USDT, Ethereum, Solana, Binance Coin, and more, which you may need for this process.
eToro has lots of other coins available and is one of the best known crypto exchanges around. Alternatively, there are several other options to select from below. Anyway, create an account and supply a copy of your photo ID for verification.
You then need to fund your account using a bank transfer, credit/debit card or method of your choice. Once funded, you can purchase the altcoin you’ll be using to swap for ETC later, for example, USDT.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Coinbase
Kraken
Step 2. Transfer USDT to a crypto wallet
Copy link to sectionOnce you have your USDT you will need to transfer it to a crypto wallet. There are lots of wallets to choose from but the best option is MetaMask. You can use the app on your phone, or right from your web browser using a Google Chrome extension.
When you transfer your USDT you will need your unique wallet address. Wallets are like bank accounts for cryptocurrencies, and unique addresses are like account numbers. The image below shows you where you can find your wallet address in MetaMask.
Once you have your address, head to USDT on your exchange and ‘withdraw’, following the process for withdrawal to your wallet address.
Step 3. Connect your wallet to a DEX
Copy link to sectionTo add another layer of complexity, there are quite a lot of decentralized exchanges available and they don’t all allow you to swap any altcoin.
ETC is only going to be available on some of them, however most altcoins are available to swap Uniswap. Head to the Uniswap home page and click the pink button in the top right corner which says ‘launch app’.
Now, in the same corner click on ‘connect wallet’ and you’ll be given a selection of wallets to choose from. Click on MetaMask and hit connect.
You will now be able to access your USDT in Uniswap.
Step 4. Swap USDT for ETC
Copy link to sectionWith your wallet now connected, you’re now set up and can transact anytime you wish.
Select USDT from the first drop down list. In the second drop down you need to choose ETC. Finally enter the amount of USDT you want to spend and the platform will show you exactly how much ETC coins you will be able to get. If you’re happy with the amount, execute your trade.
That’s all there is to the process! Although it seems strange at first, every crypto investor has to follow these steps at some point if they want to own upcoming altcoins.
Now you own Ethereum Classic tokens! Not a big deal, right?
Read more about how we rate, rank and review platforms.
Best exchanges to get started, reviewed
Copy link to sectionAs explained above, you have a selection of platforms to use as an onramp to the altcoin market. Any of the following apps are perfectly fine places to buy cryptocurrencies such as USDT, Ethereum, Solana, and Binance Coin.
We found 12 crypto platforms for users based in
1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account
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Overview
We love eToro because it’s a crypto trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.
The far-reaching catalog of 100 cryptocurrencies includes big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as smaller crypto tokens with high growth potential. Some supported tokens can be seamlessly transferred to the eToro Money crypto wallet for safekeeping.
One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. eToro crypto’s Smart Portfolios offer a great entry point into digital currencies, an opportunity to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.
If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across the 100 crypto tokens available.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 3600+ |
| Min. Deposit | $100 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | Yes |
| Supported assets | Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs, Crypto |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | Yes, on certain assets |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | Yes, on CFDs |
| Withdrawal fees | Yes |
| Spreads | Yes, on certain assets |
| Conversion fees | Yes, for non-USD currencies |
Pros & Cons
Crypto assets are unregulated & highly speculative. No consumer protection. Capital at risk.
2. Coinbase. Best secure trading platform for all types of trader
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Overview
We love Coinbase because it’s the leading public crypto platform. Coinbase offers more than 170 cryptocurrencies to trade, a secure wallet to store your coins in, and automatic staking rewards on 10+ cryptos through Coinbase Earn.
Coinbase’s user-friendly platform simplifies the buying, selling, and trading processes, making it one of the top crypto exchanges for all levels of trader. But, Coinbase isn’t just an easy to use platform, it’s one of the safest and most secure.
A public company brings transparency and renown, so you can trust that any money on Coinbase is safe and you’re sharing the platform with over 100 million other users. It stores 98% of customer assets offline in cold storage, minimizing the risk of theft. There is also insurance on all cash balances up to $250,000
The fees: Trading fees start from 0.6% but reduce the higher your trading volume. Bank transfer deposits and withdrawals are free, other payment methods may be charged. There is no fee for wallet-to-wallet crypto transactions but you will have to pay blockchain fees. Coinbase charges a 25% fee for its staking services.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 150+ |
| Min. Deposit | $10 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | No |
| Supported assets | Crypto, NFTs |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | FSA, FCA, NFA |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | Yes |
| Inactivity fees | No |
| Rollover/overnight fees | No |
| Withdrawal fees | Yes |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
3. Kraken: Best for simple, global cryptocurrency trading from your phone
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Overview
We love Kraken because it’s a beginner-friendly crypto trading platform, one that’s designed to make it quick and convenient to buy and sell crypto on the go. The Kraken mobile app provides access to over 200 cryptocurrencies making it one of the most diverse platforms around.
With an intuitive interface and many advanced features, the Kraken crypto app is suitable for those just starting, or experienced traders wanting to enhance their trading experience. The Kraken mobile app caters to different trading styles and preferences with spot, margin, and futures all available.
Kraken’s mobile app also supports up to 5:1 leverage allowing you to amplify your position and potentially increase your returns. With such a wide selection of tokens available and a solid range of features and tools, the Kraken app is one of the top cryptocurrency trading platforms while on the go.
The fees: Kraken charges a fee of between 0-0.26% on every crypto trade. There are no costs to set up an account and no flat trading fees.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 200+ |
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | Yes |
| Supported assets | Crypto, NFTs |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | FSA, AUSTRAC, FCA, MiFID II, FinCEN, FINTRAC |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | Yes |
| Inactivity fees | No |
| Rollover/overnight fees | No |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
4. Uphold. Best for building long term wealth
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Overview
We love Uphold because it’s a regulated and transparent digital asset platform. Uphold is an excellent platform for discovering important new tokens early, making it ideal for investors looking to get in on the ground floor of emerging cryptocurrencies.
Uphold offers a broad selection of coins, with over 250 tokens available catering to both seasoned and novice crypto traders. The platform regularly adds new assets allowing users to invest in promising projects before they gain mainstream attention.
Uphold isn’t just a platform for investing early. One of the main advantages of using Uphold is its transparent and competitive fee structure. The platform does not charge for deposits or withdrawals, and trading fees are clearly stated. You can also trade between different asset classes including fiat currencies.
The fees: Crypto spreads start from 0.9% and are usually lower than 1.3% for BTC and ETH. Other cryptocurrency spreads are higher. Average spreads on fiat currency are 0.2%. There is a $0.99 fee for transactions under $100 made with the Uphold card.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 250+ |
| Min. Deposit | $1 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | Yes |
| Supported assets | Crypto, Commodities, |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | FSA, FinCEN |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | No |
| Inactivity fees | No |
| Rollover/overnight fees | Yes |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.
5. Public. Best for AI analysis
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Overview
We love Public because it makes use of cutting-edge AI technology to enhance your trading and investing experience. Public’s AI-powered feature, Public Alpha offers personalized insights and recommendations through its natural language interface in real time.
Public’s AI technology helps you make more informed decisions by analyzing massive amounts of data and providing actionable insights. These AI-driven insights are easily accessible and give users access to the latest advancements in financial analysis and trading.
Not only do can you use AI to help your investments, Public is one of the lowest cost brokerage firms out there. You can invest in stocks and ETFs commission free. You can also buy and trade fractional shares and if you want to diversify, you can explore a range of alternative investments including music and film royalties. There’s even a selection of the biggest cryptocurrencies available.
The fees: There are no fees for investing in stocks during regular trading hours in the US – 9.30am-4pm EST. There is a $2.99 fee for trades outside of regular hours. Alternative investments, including cryptocurrency, are charged a 2.5% fee per transaction.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 9,000 + |
| Min. Deposit | $20 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | No |
| Supported assets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, , , |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | SEC, FINRA, SIPC |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | Yes |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | No |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
How to trade ETC
Copy link to sectionYou can trade Ethereum Classic on a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange using a few simple steps. Here’s a quick example that clearly lays out how ETC crypto trading works:
- Monitor the price: For simplicity, let’s say the price of ETC/USDT is $1. You read the price charts and decide that now is a good time to start purchasing ETC.
- Open a trade: You trade one USDT for one ETC ($1 USD for 1 ETC).
- Continue to monitor the price: The following month, one ETC token is now worth $2, a 100% increase.
- Close your trade: You trade your ETC token back to USDT for $2.
In this example, you buy and sell Ethereum Classic, doubling your money (trading). While the steps are simple, executing them in a profitable way is not so easy. You need to spend countless hours learning to trade, reading charts, technical patterns, and understanding markets and margin trading; which you can do right here on Invezz.com.
What is the best way to pay for Ethereum Classic (ETC)?
Copy link to sectionBecause you can’t buy Ethereum Classic using fiat currencies like US dollars, the simplest way to buy Ethereum Classic cryptocurrency is by swapping an altcoin for it. Here are some of the top ways to pay for altcoins:
- Buy altcoins with a credit card or debit card. Card payments are convenient and instantaneous but you may have to pay a higher fee to make a deposit this way. Binance charges 1.8% for a card deposit and some platforms charge as much as 4%.
- Buy altcoins with bank transfer. A bank transfer is usually the cheapest way to buy crypto. Crypto platforms like Crypto.com and Coinbase do not charge for bank transfer deposits, while Binance only charges a $1 fee, and these transactions are more or less instant as they run through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) in the US, Faster Payments System (FPS) in the UK, or Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) in Europe.
- Buy altcoins with PayPal. Some crypto brokers accept deposits via PayPal. Not many exchanges offer this option, however you can find here the best crypto exchanges that accept PayPal.
- Alternative payment methods. Crypto brokers often let you pay with other providers or money transfer services, like Neteller, Venmo, or Payoneer. The options vary by broker, though, so check what’s accepted before you sign up.
How do I store Ethereum Classic (ETC)?
Copy link to sectionYou can keep your Ethereum Classic stored perfectly safely on MetaMask. If you’ve followed this guide, you won’t need to set up anything additionally as you’ll already have your coins in the MetaMask wallet.
Is now a good time to buy Ethereum Classic?
Copy link to sectionThe answer depends on the current price and your own investment goals. Put simply, buying Ethereum Classic, selling Ethereum Classic, and trading ETC are all the exact same process in literal terms. It’s really just your personal investing intentions that defines whether ‘now’ is a good time to invest or not.
- If you’re a trader: as a cryptocurrency trader, your goal is to make money trading regularly. What do we mean by regularly? Hourly, daily, weekly. Traders buy and sell a coin quickly to secure their profit (or to avoid a loss). They don’t #HODL a coin long term in the hopes of larger profits. In this sense, any time is a good time to trade Ethereum Classic.
- As a long-term investor: a long term investor is not concerned if the price is up or down 10% on any given day. Rather, they care that the price of the native token is overall up months or years later, when they’re ready to sell that investment. So if you’re a firm believer in the foundations of ETC, then a good time to purchase Ethereum Classic is on any major dip.
In our experience, most newcomers to the crypto market sit between the two. You don’t want to wait several years for a return, but buying Ethereum Classic and selling it the next day probably isn’t why you’re here either.
How has Ethereum Classic (ETC) performed this year?
Copy link to sectionThe current Ethereum Classic price today is $15.23, which is -91.35% versus its all time high of $176.16, which it reached on 06 May 2021. ETC is -41.50% this year, with a 52 week high of $39.92 and a 52 week low of $12.88.
Regardless, closely following Ethereum Classic price news & analysis will help you decide when to pull the trigger.
Is Ethereum Classic (ETC) a good investment?
Copy link to sectionWhether it’s good for you depends on your goals and the fundamentals of the project. Here are some key features of Ethereum Classic and its token to help you decide whether to invest in ETC.
- Ethereum Classic is intended to maintain the integrity of the original Ethereum project. It allows developers to build innovative decentralised apps via the use of smart contracts and blockchain technology on the Ethereum network, and it is also useable as a store of value.
- It is a popular crypto with a loyal community of supporters. When compared to Ethereum, ETC has a much smaller community. However, it still does have many supporters who believe in its immutable nature. ETC is designed to be immutable, meaning transactions cannot be altered once recorded on the blockchain.
- There is a limited supply of ETC tokens. Unlike Ethereum, which can produce as many tokens as required, ETC has a fixed supply of 240 million. This means that as time goes on, fewer tokens will be available, which should increase scarcity and value.
- ETC is not as valuable as Ethereum. Ethereum has far surpassed Ethereum Classic in terms of value, and many feel its technical credentials are superior. Some feel this renders Ethereum Classic obsolete since it still uses the original blockchain with the decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO) that created many security issues in 2016.
Use this quick summary of pros and cons to compare Ethereum Classic with other, similar projects.
Pros
Copy link to section- Ethereum Classic is, by its nature, more decentralised than some of its rivals
- Despite some negative press, Ethereum Classic still has strong support
- Ethereum Classic has solid core principals based on a commitment to immutability
Cons
Copy link to sectionUltimately, many different factors play into the answer. Cryptocurrency is inherently volatile but you can reduce the risks by investing in quality projects that provide value to the community.
