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Investing in Ethereum in the UK – Is ETH a Good Investment?

With an price increase of over 500,000% since its launch, Ethereum is giving tough competition to Bitcoin for the “market leader” spot. So can you cash in on the progress of this crypto? Read ahead to learn how to invest in Ethereum (ETH), which is the best trading platform for this investment, and a lot more.
Invest in Ethereum uk
Invest in Ethereum uk

Invest in Ethereum

Ethereum price all-time growth, via Coinbase

Before Ethereum came up and completely shook the crypto market, experts had believed that Bitcoin would always be the clear market leader. Today, there is nothing that Bitcoin can do which Ethereum can’t, and it arguably has more of a use case and potential for adoption.

Having witnessed a rise of over 500,000 percent since its launch, Ethereum is enterprising the blockchain solutions and fueling the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) through its cutting-edge technology.

It is already home to cross-border payments, digital money, wide range of applications, and its increasing use in other sectors is allowing a lot of investors to make money from this crypto.

Want to invest in Ethereum (ETH)? In this article, we would tell you how to invest in Ethereum, why ETH is a good investment, taxes related to your crypto investments, and more.

How to Invest in Ethereum in the UK

Often dubbed as the “currency of the internet”, Ethereum’s strong fundamentals, anonymity, and smart contracts make it the best alternative to fiat and commodity currencies. That is why it is always on priority in the wish list of every investor.

If you want to add Ethereum to your portfolio, then consider buying it via Coinbase, Binance or eToro. All three of these top crypto exchanges have of tens of millions of customers worldwide and accept UK signups.

As well as being a platform to invest in cryptocurrency, eToro offers stocks, forex, commodities and other trading features such as copytrading, and social trading features that keep you up to date with expert opinions, price history research, and more. Follow the steps below to invest in Ethereum (ETH) using eToro:

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Create an account

The first step is to open an account on eToro. You will be required to provide your username and a valid email address once you reach the sign-up page.

etoro signup account

Always come up with a strong and unique password for ensuring the safety and privacy of your account.

Verify your identity

Once you have registered on this platform, make sure you get your identity verified, as eToro requires all its users to complete a know-your-customer (KYC) process.

Verification could be completed with any valid ID, let’s say, a copy of your official passport or driver’s license. Some registrants may also need to present a recent utility bill to prove their residence.

Deposit Funds

To acquire Ethereum stock, you’ll need to fund your trading account once it’s been verified. You should make a minimum deposit of at least $200 (about £160).

On eToro makes you can fund your account using a variety of methods, the most popular being bank wire transfer and debit cards. Another option is to buy Ethereum crypto with a crypto asset such as Bitcoin.

Buy Ethereum (ETH)

Now, it’s time to buy Ethereum. Go to the search bar and type in “Ethereum”. From the multitude of options presented to you, choose the very first one. You will be forwarded to the Ethereum page if you click on it.

By pressing the “Stats” and “Chart” buttons on the display, you can get an overview of the crypto asset’s performance. You can also click on the “Feeds” button to read other traders’ opinions on the digital asset.

Buy ethereum uk

Different features in eToro such as Charts, Feeds & Stats

When you’re ready, go to your upper right corner and select the “Trade” button. You will be sent to an order page where you can place trades.

Once users buy Ethereum on eToro and hold it in their exchange wallet they can also receive staking rewards for doing so – eToro takes daily snapshots of your Ethereum balance and issues rewards to users.

Invest in Ethereum on eToro

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Is Ethereum a Good Investment?

Ever since cryptocurrencies began to increase significantly, Ether, the native currency of the Ethereum network, has been a top performer. Investors that bought and kept ETH have made huge returns over the last several years. Some billionaire investors, such as Mark Cuban, are more bullish on ETH than BTC.

ETH is a cryptocurrency with an abundance of new world features. Here are four reasons why you should invest in Ethereum (ETH).

Financial Returns

This point doesn’t require much explanation. Within just two years of launch, Ether reached an all-time high of $1,400. This year saw the dream run of this crypto as its price went as high as $4,850, thereby registering a rise of more than 100,000 percent. Keeping all these figures in the calculation, a £500 investment in 2015 would now be worth more than £700,000.

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Smart Contracts

Smart contracts have gained huge significance in the past few years. A smart contract is a piece of code that allows two or more individuals to create a self-executing contract. The conditions of the contract cannot be changed or modified after they have been placed on the Blockchain. They have the ability to solve many legal issues, ease up the prize money distribution process, and other things.

Ethereum is admired for its unparallel ability to support smart contract transactions.

Market Capitalization

Another reason to consider investing in Ethereum is its large market capitalization. A high marketcap translates to more liquidity and more usage by general public. Ranked second in terms of its market cap, Ethereum’s marketcap of over 470 billion dollars makes it more valuable than most New York Stock Exchange corporations.

Many companies and even stores are accepting Ethereum as a token of exchange, just as fiat money, all because of the increased recognition it has got. When you consider the challenges that the Ethereum Network is attempting to tackle as well as its market reach, you’ll notice that the valuation is still quite low. As a result, buying Ethereum right now is still a good deal.

Some traders and analysts predict that one day Ethereum will ‘flip’ Bitcoin i.e. overtake its marketcap (of approx. $1 trillion), in an event the cryptocurrency scene terms ‘the flippening‘.

Currently its marketcap requires around a 2x increase to do that. For example if the price of 1 ETH hit $8000 with Bitcoin at $50,000, or $16,000 with BTC at $100,000, it would then have a larger marketcap.

Technology

Ethereum is undoubtedly technically superior to Bitcoin. While Bitcoin doesn’t serve many other purposes other than storage of value, it’s not the same case with Ethereum. The Ethereum blockchain underpins the majority of today’s cryptocurrencies. This means they don’t have their technology and instead rely on the Ethereum network.

Many of these cryptocurrencies are ‘ERC-20’ tokens, which require the Ethereum network to operate, and many projects choose this route since, unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum’s network makes it simple for anybody to produce cryptocurrencies. Since these tokens are developed, demand for the Ethereum coin rises, as users require the digital asset to function on the network.

Where can you buy Ethereum in the UK?

1. eToro – Overall Best Platform to Buy ETH

When it comes to investing in Ethereum, choosing the right platform is a must. eToro is one of the best crypto trading platforms, offering users a comprehensive trading experience with top level security.

etoro investment

Various cryptos and assets that can be traded on eToro

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

eToro isn’t just a trading platform but has several other features such as a Copytrade tool, a ‘Feed’ where users can interact with other investors, and so on. Furthermore, eToro has a low minimum deposit ($50), low fees, and an excellent track record for security. For all of these reasons, eToro is our recommended platform to invest in cryptocurrency.

2. OKX – Crypto Exchange Providing Competitive Fees

The next best exchange to purchase ETH is the OKX exchange. OKX is a leading cryptocurrency exchange that offers a secure and user-friendly platform for trading Ethereum and other digital assets. With its wide range of features and robust trading infrastructure, OKX provides a seamless experience for both beginners and seasoned traders.
OKX Platform

Purchase ETH on OKX

OKX offers a diverse selection of trading pairs with Ethereum, allowing users to easily exchange it with various cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies. The exchange prioritizes security by implementing advanced encryption protocols and employing stringent security measures to safeguard user funds. Additionally, OKX provides liquidity through its global network, ensuring smooth and efficient trading even during periods of high demand.

Furthermore, OKX offers advanced trading tools, including order types, charting capabilities, and customizable interfaces, empowering traders to make informed decisions. The exchange also provides access to real-time market data and comprehensive trading analytics, enabling users to track Ethereum’s performance and identify profitable trading opportunities.

3. Bybit – User-Friendly Crypto Exchange

Bybit is a great choice of crypto exchange for purchasing Ethereum due to several reasons. Firstly, Bybit is a reputable and secure platform that prioritizes the safety of user funds. It employs advanced security measures such as cold storage and two-factor authentication to protect user assets.

Bybit also offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive trading tools, making it easy for both beginners and experienced traders to buy and sell Ethereum. The platform provides real-time market data, charting tools, and order types to enhance trading efficiency.

Bybit Exchange

Purchase ETH on Bybit

Furthermore, Bybit has competitive fees and low slippage, ensuring cost-effective transactions. It also provides high liquidity, enabling users to easily enter and exit positions without significant price impact.

Bybit also offers advanced trading features like margin trading and futures contracts, allowing users to maximize their trading opportunities and potentially earn higher profits. Plus, the platform charges minimum trading fees, ranging from 0.1% to 1% depending on the cryptocurrency.

Ethereum Staking

Staking is simply a process of locking up an amount of ETH for a specific period of time. We have written a detailed guide to crypto staking. What does it help in? It helps in contributing to the security of the Blockchain and helps in earning rewards too.

Once an Ethereum user conducts this process, he is known as Validator or staker. It serves the dual purpose of bolstering the Ethereum Blockchain system & also helps the validators in earning passive income.

As per experts at InsideBitcoin, Ethereum staking is going to grow in the future as it is more environmentally sustainable and provides decent earning opportunities to the staker. Platforms such as eToro provide staking feature for their users, where they can stake Ethereum alongside other stakeable cryptocurrencies.

Stake Ethereum

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

Ethereum price predictions

Since 2021, ETH has been home to digital money, worldwide payments, and a wide range of decentralized applications.

Ethereum is the second most popular cryptocurrency, trailing only Bitcoin (BTC). ETH has a wide range of applications that help investors and the general public, from smart contract capabilities to decentralizing the financial industry via DApps.

In light of these things, experts, through their price predictions for Ethereum, anticipate a continued bull market for ETH in the upcoming years.

2021-2022

After achieving a new all-time high in October 2021, some analysts anticipate Ethereum will reach $6000 or higher by early 2022. The Ethereum price is expected to reach $8,000 shortly after, according to Goldman Sachs, a prestigious financial institution.

Ethereum is then expected to hit $10,000 or more by the end of 2022, according to some professional traders. The most optimistic projections give a top prediction of $25,000.

2022 to 2025

The market anticipates ETH to perform well as a result of partnerships, alliances, and community investment, reaching a price of $7,572 by the end of 2022, which is quite ambitious in terms of price but probably doable soon. Ethereum may experience some corrections and flash crashes as a result of any policy or regulatory changes.

By the middle of the year, we expect the price of ETH will rise to $9,276 and then to $10,946 by the end of 2023, indicating a +142 percent increase. Ether will continue to rise in price in 2024 and 2025, reaching roughly $14,206 and $15,477, respectively, due to increased partnerships and projects.

2026 and beyond

By 2030, the price of Ethereum will be largely determined by the progress made in the adoption of this blockchain solution by both people and large businesses. As blockchain develops becomes the cornerstone for a new digital economy, the price of ETH will continue to reach unprecedented heights by 2030.

We believe that in ten years, ETH will reach Shuster’s anticipated price threshold of $100,000 per token. This Ethereum price prediction is backed up by prominent investors like Dan Morehead, the CEO of Pantera Capital, who believes ETH will reach six figures in ten years.

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Best alternatives to Ethereum (ETH)

As a wise proverb goes ‘Never puts all your eggs in one basket’, following the suit, a wise investor will always diversify his cryptocurrency holdings to avoid having all of his money locked up in a single asset. If you want to diversify your portfolio, these are some Ethereum alternatives for you that you may buy alongside ETH:

Bitcoin

The trend of cryptocurrency was set by Bitcoin. It gathers a chunk of total crypto market cap in the whole world. After reaching an all-time high price in November 2021, it has seen a slight correction, indicating perfect buying opportunity for investors.

Experts predict that it will reach a staggering $330,000 by the end of 2025, after rising over 9 million percent from its starting worth of $0.08 in 2009. Furthermore, because of its excellent fundamentals and deflationary tendencies, it is the ideal coin for long-term investment. Experts consider buying Bitcoin a safe investment option because of its wide usage & recognition in the whole world.

Invest in Bitcoin

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano has the potential to become great player, all thanks to its fair pricing and strong fundamentals. The blockchain has established itself as one of the most famous “Ethereum killers,” or blockchains that want to take Ethereum’s market share and overtake the blockchain behemoth. Backed with solid fundamentals, many investors are buying Cardano and holding it for long term.

As a decentralized proof of stake (PoS) blockchain, Cardano improves processing and app development efficiency. The platform aims to increase the interoperability, scalability, and long-term viability of proof-of-work (PoW) blockchains such as Bitcoin and – for the time being – Ethereum.

Invest in Cardano

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Dogecoin (DOGE)

Memecoins such as Dogecoin should be in the portfolio of an investor too. The year 2021 saw this coin reach incredible heights in terms of price, with a gain of nearly 20,000% from its debut value.

This crypto is ready to give strong returns to its investors, thanks to the increased use of this coin by reputable networks like Twitter and Reddit. The meme currency is expected to reach a value of $0.64 by the end of 2025, indicating that it has a bright future. For all of these reasons, you should consider investing in Dogecoin.

Invest in Dogecoin

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

How to store your Ethereum (ETH) investment in a secure wallet

Ethereum, unlike traditional money, cannot be stored in a physical wallet. Considering these factors, Ethereum wallets are useful in this situation.

To store Ethereum, you’ll need secure crypto wallets that can keep your digital assets safe with their high-security system. eToro Mobile Wallet, Binance Trust Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet are some of the most popular crypto wallets, and they allow you to store over 50 different cryptos and keep all of your assets safe with their advanced technology.

We recommend you to use eToro Mobile Wallet. This wallet includes converting capabilities in addition to storage. Furthermore, its availability on Android and iOS devices makes it widely accessible.

Security and risks of Ethereum investing

As of now, there doesn’t appear any security issues with Ethereum, however the infamous 51% attack is a cause of concern. The 51% attack happens when an attacker is able to gain more than 50% of the hashing power. This allows them to manipulate the data on the Blockchain, defeating the benefit of decentralization.

While it is almost impossible in case of established cryptos such as Bitcoin & Ethereum, there have been past cases of 51% attack in Bitcoin SV, Bitcoin Gold, & the infamous DAO attack of 2016 can’t be forgotten too.

invest in Ethereum in UK

eToro feed section helps in knowing the sentiments of market & other investors

Apart from the 51% attack, the only risk in Ethereum investing is the high gas fee that is charged on the network. This high gas/transaction fee is making some users search for other avenues that charge lower fee. It is expected that with better technological Upgradation, the issue would be solved in the future.

Selling your Ethereum investment

Following these steps, you can sell your Ether on the eToro platform. Choose your account’s withdrawal channel, terminate all active trade positions, and make sure your account has the minimum withdrawal amount.

Start the withdrawal procedure by clicking the withdraw funds button and then entering the amount of money you want to take out. Mention your withdrawal amount and channel, and you’ll be able to take your funds quickly from your Ether investment.

Sell Ethereum

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Responsible Investing

There are always some risks when investing in crypto or any asset classes, so exercise caution. Though this crypto has a bright future in the crypto market, you should act responsibly while making your investment in Ethereum.

You must undertake thorough research, examine market conditions, investigate Ethereum price movements, and then make an informed decision about how much money should be invested in Ethereum at what time.

Never put all of your money into a single cryptocurrency because you run the risk of losing it all if the price of that cryptocurrency drops. Diversify into other cryptos, and split your orders up into several limit orders to scale into a position slowly. Place bids at important support levels, such as the 21 weekly moving average (MA).

Use the crypto discussion and education parts of eToro trading platform to do market research, analyze market circumstances, and further inform you on your trading journey.

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.

Taxes and regulations regarding Ethereum in the UK

Investing in Ethereum is subject to taxation in the United Kingdom. The official UK government website has a policy paper titled ‘Tax on Crypto assets’ that explains how Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) taxes cryptocurrency.

The sale of Ethereum falls within the capital gains tax bracket. This category also includes situations in which Ethereum is received as money for work or mining, or when it is swapped for another crypto asset, when it is used to buy goods or services, or when it is given to someone else, except for gifting it to a spouse or civil partner. You can compute how much capital gains tax has been paid on your income based on your overall income.

Short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains are the two types of capital gains tax. Profits received from selling Ethereum after keeping it for less than a year are classified as short-term capital gains, while profits earned from selling Ethereum after holding it for more than a year are classified as long-term capital gains.

Certain allowable charges are allowed to be deducted from your gains. These expenses include transaction fees, which are normally paid at the time of every transaction on a blockchain network, charges incurred during the establishment of any transaction contract, buyer or seller promotional expenses, and so on. If you have any capital losses, you can only offset these against your profits after they have been declared to HMRC.

Conclusion

The majority of Ethereum price forecasts indicate that the largest altcoin will experience tremendous growth in the coming years. Leading analysts’ expectations are all over the place, yet even the most conservative predictions suggest that anyone who invests in Ethereum could make a decent profit.

So, should you buy Ethereum? As the second-largest cryptocurrency, it represents one of the more stable bets in an otherwise volatile market.

Due to its wide range of applications, ETH has a lot of room for growth, and if the demand for smart contracts continues to grow, it might be a great investment in the medium and long term.

You can learn more about ETH, its price projections, and other key information about the crypto’s prospects by visiting the eToro exchange platform – all traders have their own news feed where they can ask questions about Ethereum and receive responses from other users.

FAQ

What is Ethereum?

Ethereum is an open-source, decentralized blockchain system with its coin, Ether. ETH serves as a platform for a variety of different cryptocurrencies as well as decentralized smart contract execution.

How to mine Ethereum?

All that is required to begin CPU mining is a computer. Ethereum mining just requires a computer with specific software installed on it. By far the most popular method of cryptocurrency mining is GPU mining. Miners use one or more graphics processing units to mine Ethereum. Using GPUs to build a mining machine is both cost-effective and efficient.

Where to store Ethereum?

Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies can be stored in digital wallets such as eToro's. This is because Ether, like every other cryptocurrency, is not saved in your physical wallet because it does not exist in any tangible form.

How to stake Ethereum?

You can stake Ethereum by depositing 32 ETH to activate validator software. This process is known as staking. You'll be in charge of storing data, processing transactions and adding new blocks to the blockchain as a validator. This will keep Ethereum safe for everyone while also earning you more ETH. eToro also provides a staking service for its users who hold ETH on the platform.