Ethereum Classic (ETC) might not have the name recognition of Bitcoin or Ethereum, but it is one of the oldest projects still active today. Born from the original Ethereum chain after the 2016 DAO hack, Ethereum Classic has held firm to the principle of immutability. It has survived multiple 51% attacks and market cycles despite somewhat limited developer activity compared to newer chains. If you plan on adding this “battle-hardened” coin to your portfolio in 2025, this guide breaks down how to buy Ethereum Classic safely and easily.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
➤ Ethereum Classic is the original Ethereum chain that split after the 2016 DAO hack over immutability concerns.
➤ ETC is a widely traded cryptocurrency and available on most major centralized exchanges.
➤ ETC has shown long-term growth but can be volatile in the short term, so assess entry points carefully.
How to buy Ethereum Classic (ETC)
In a nutshell:
- Sign up on a crypto exchange that lists Ethereum Classic.
- Complete email or phone verification, then finish KYC if required.
- Add funds to your account. If using fiat, convert it to a base currency like USDT.
- Search for ETC and select a trading pair such as ETC/USDT.
- Choose between a market or limit order and complete the purchase.
Now, let’s walk through the full process. We are using Bitget for this demonstration, but most centralized platforms follow a similar flow, barring maybe a few minor changes here and there.
Step 1: Register for a Bitget account
If you are new to Bitget, you’ll need to create an account. Follow these steps:
➤ Visit Bitget’s official site in your browser. If the standard domain (.com) isn’t accessible, try the alternate one (.site). You can also download the Bitget app via Google Play or the Apple App Store (or directly from the website).
Just in case you are unable to find the app on your local store, head to Bitget’s homepage — the download links are near the bottom.
➤ Click on the “Sign Up” button (usually either at the top right or elsewhere on the home page).
➤ Enter your registration details and complete the email and/or phone verification. Make sure you create a secure password.
➤ Enter the confirmation code sent to your phone and/or email to activate your account.
Step 2: Verify your identity (KYC)
Before buying and trading ETC, you may need to complete identity verification (unless you are using a platform that allows no-KYC transactions). For Bitget, here’s how to do it:
➤ Click your profile icon at the top right, go to “Settings,” then find “Identity Verification” on the sidebar.
➤ Upload a government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, or national ID), along with a live selfie.
➤ Wait for confirmation — approval typically takes a few minutes but could take longer during high-traffic periods.
Step 3: Add funds to your Bitget wallet
After completing verification, you’ll need to fund your Bitget account to buy Ethereum Classic. You have two options here — you can either add fiat or transfer crypto from an external wallet.
Here’s how you add fiat:
You can use various options depending on your preference:
➤ Credit/debit cards (Visa/Mastercard)
➤ P2P (peer-to-peer) transfers from verified sellers
➤ OTC (over-the-counter) services
➤ Quick buy using bank cards or e-wallets
To begin, click on “Buy Crypto” at the top menu, select a funding method, and follow the prompts to complete your payment.
Since ETC cannot be directly bought with fiat, convert your fiat into USDT or another listed base currency first. On Bitget, go to “Assets” > “Buy Crypto” and follow the instructions.
You could do without adding fiat if you have some crypto lying around in an external wallet. Here’s how you deposit crypto from an external wallet:
➤ Go to “Assets,” select “Deposit.”
➤ Choose the asset and blockchain network from the dropdown list. As of 2025, Bitget offers ETC/USDT, so you’ll need USDT to proceed.
➤ If you’ve deposited something else (like BTC or ETH), convert it into USDT before placing your ETC order.
Step 5: Locate Ethereum Classic (ETC) on Bitget
Now that your wallet is loaded, search for ETC on the platform.
➤ Click on “Trade,” then “Spot.”
➤ Use the search bar to look up “ETC” or the relevant trading pair, such as ETC/USDT.
Step 6: Buy Ethereum Classic
You can place either of the following order types:
➤ Market order: Buy immediately at current prices
➤ Limit order: Set your preferred price and wait for the order to fill
To place your order, select the order type, enter the quantity, click “Buy,” and confirm.
Step 7: Secure your ETC
Once your purchase is successful, decide how you want to store it:
➤ Keep it on Bitget (useful if you plan to trade regularly)
➤ Move it to a self-custody wallet (strongly recommended for long-term holding)
What is Ethereum Classic?
Ethereum Classic (ETC) was born out of one of crypto’s earliest and most controversial landmark events — the DAO hack in 2016.
The DAO was a decentralized autonomous organization and investment fund built on Ethereum that raised over $150 million in ETH shortly after launch.
However, a flaw in its code allowed an attacker to drain roughly a third of those funds. This forced the Ethereum community to make a high-stakes decision: roll back the chain to recover the stolen funds or stick to the principle that blockchains should be immutable.
Most supported the rollback, and that’s what led to Ethereum (ETH) as we know it today. But, a smaller group disagreed, arguing that “code is law” and tampering with the blockchain would set a dangerous precedent. They continued on the original chain, which became Ethereum Classic.
ETC has stood by its founding principle — immutability — even when it meant going against popular opinion. That decision cemented its identity as the version of Ethereum that didn’t change history.
Over the years, ETC has faced major tests, including 51% attacks and declining developer activity. But it’s still here, still running, and still attracting users who value its no-compromise approach to decentralization.
Ethereum Classic is the 36th largest cryptocurrency by market cap as of mid-May 2025. Despite major price swings, as shown in the chart above, ETC has remained in profit over the long term (although it has bled red over the 1M and 1Y time frames as of press time).
Check out our ETC price prediction for a closer look at its potential over the short, mid, and long haul.
Is ETC a good investment in 2025?
Ethereum Classic has held its ground through years of volatility while sticking to its founding principles — a sign of long-term potential. Still, short-term price swings remain a concern, like with any other cryptocurrency.
You could either hold ETC with a long-term view if you believe in its fundamentals, or trade it during periods of high volatility — though that’s far riskier. Either way, make sure you understand the risks. Always do your own research, consider consulting with a financial advisor, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investing in any crypto is a high-risk activity.
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