Should You Buy Helium in 2025? Comprehensive Guide for South Africans

Helium in brief

How much does 1 Helium cost?

The price of Helium is rising this week. Currently, Helium (HNT) is trading at ZAR 124.85, showing a 24-hour increase of 2.3% and a 7-day growth of 7.8%. The market cap stands at ZAR 19.6 billion, with a 3-month average daily trading volume of about ZAR 621 million, ranking Helium 72nd among cryptocurrencies globally. There are 160.88 million HNT in circulation, representing around 0.12% of the total crypto market. As Helium remains relatively volatile in the ZA market, it presents unique opportunities for both cautious and adventurous investors.

Our complete review of the Helium cryptocurrency

Have we reached the inflection point for Helium after meticulously analysing its latest trends and HNT’s price evolution over the past three years? Our assessment integrates data from a multitude of sources—on-chain metrics, technical signals, market dynamics, and in-depth competitive benchmarking—processed using proprietary algorithms tailored for Web3 assets. So, why could Helium in 2025 re-emerge as a strategic entry point for investors looking to position themselves within the decentralized wireless and IoT connectivity ecosystem?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Recent Price Evolution

Over the last year, Helium (HNT) has experienced a pronounced market recalibration, following a sustained period of volatility and consolidation that marked both its 2022 drawdown and its early 2023 reversal pattern. The token staged a resilient comeback from its cyclical lows, propelled by a recorded uptick in trading activity and reinforced by renewed investor confidence. At the time of writing, HNT trades around 5.10 USD, representing a substantial recovery from its multi-year floor below 1.30 USD, posted during the depths of the last bear cycle. This rebound mirrors the broader altcoin rally and the inflow of capital into projects exhibiting strong real-world utility.

Noteworthy Recent Events

• Solana Migration Success: The migration of the Helium Network to Solana in April 2023 cemented Helium’s integration into one of the fastest-growing Layer 1 ecosystems. This technological leap considerably reduced transaction costs and latency, while expanding interoperability and developer access.
• 5G and Mobile Rollout: Helium’s accelerated implementation of its 5G mobile initiative has translated into increased usage metrics and coverage data, now boasting over 880,000 hotspots across 74 countries (as of Q2 2024), an all-time high for decentralized wireless infrastructure.
• Partnership Announcements: Helium’s string of recent partnerships with IoT hardware vendors and enterprise data integrators merits particular attention, enabling institutional-grade adoption of Helium's decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN).

Favorable Macro/Industry Environment

The current macro backdrop remains conducive to digital asset accumulation, especially those with tangible network effects like Helium:

• Web3 Infrastructure Investment: A marked increase in VC and corporate funding targeted at decentralized infrastructure and IoT/blockchain convergence.
• Regulatory Clarity: Regulatory developments in major jurisdictions, including South Africa, are providing clearer frameworks for utility tokens and IoT applications, reducing legal risk and improving institutional participation.
• Internet-of-Things Expansion: Global demand for low-cost, scalable, and permissionless wireless access continues to strengthen, underpinning the addressable market for Helium’s core offering.

Technical Analysis

Key Cryptocurrency Indicators (RSI, MACD, Moving Averages)

A technical deep-dive reveals an increasingly constructive setup for HNT:

• Relative Strength Index (RSI): The daily RSI oscillates in the 55–63 range, reflecting healthy upward momentum without overextended buying—indicative of sustainable accumulation rather than speculative excess.
• MACD: Weekly MACD shows a bullish crossover, confirming mid-term upward pressure and aligning with the ongoing trend reversal visible on higher timeframes.
• Moving Averages: HNT consistently holds above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. The 200-day MA (currently ~4.3 USD) acts as a robust support base, while recent golden cross formations have historically prefigured multi-month rallies.

Strong Support Levels and Bullish Reversal Signals

• Primary Support: 4.00 USD is a well-tested support zone backed by strong on-chain volume, while the 3.60–3.85 USD cluster aligns with prior accumulation phases.
• Bullish Triggers: Breakouts above the 5.90–6.30 USD band have potential to unlock accelerated momentum, in light of limited historical resistance up to 8.00 USD.
• Momentum Structure: Volatility compression on the daily chart suggests an imminent expansion. The confluence of positive funding rates and rising open interest also points to favorable positioning among derivatives traders.

Short/Mid-Term Momentum

The technical posture invites a constructive bias: a persistent uptrend in higher lows, supportive market breadth, and recurring volume spikes signal robust interest and the prospect of a multi-quarter advance.

Fundamental Analysis

Expanding Adoption and Strategic Partnerships

Helium distinguishes itself with a model rooted in tangible network effects and real-world asset deployment:

• Adoption Curve: Network analytics indicate exponential hotspot growth—over 880,000 globally—underscoring Helium’s entrenchment in the DePin, IoT, and telecommunication space.
• Strategic Alliances: Ongoing integrations with smart city initiatives, supply chain IoT firms, and municipal partners fuel a self-reinforcing ecosystem, boosting real-world demand for HNT.

Relative Valuation Metrics

• Market Capitalization: Helium’s market cap (~830M USD, Q2 2024) represents a compelling risk/reward asymmetry versus centralized wireless providers or Layer 1s with inferior adoption metrics.
• FDV and TVL Perspective: The fully diluted valuation (FDV) remains at a discount to other high-visibility DePin protocols, while the nascent DeFi integrations on Solana offer untapped TVL upside.

Structural Strengths: Innovation, Community, Differentiation

• Technological Edge: Helium is a pioneer in proof-of-coverage and decentralized wireless infrastructure—an unchallenged segment with compelling first-mover advantage.
• Active Community: A passionate developer and user base, alongside a robust Grant Program, stimulates organic innovation and network resiliency.
• Unique Use Case: A direct, utility-driven linkage between token incentives and physical infrastructure deployment distinguishes HNT from generic utility tokens and meme coins.

Volume and Liquidity

• Sustained Trading Volume: 24h volume consistently surpasses 12M USD, reflecting deep liquidity—a critical factor for larger and institutional market participants.
• Market Dominance: HNT ranks among the top DePin tokens by market cap and exchange coverage, ensuring active price discovery and minimal slippage for significant trades.

Positive Catalysts and Forward-Looking Perspectives

• Upcoming Protocol Upgrades: Roadmap milestones include enhanced hotspot onboarding, Layer 2 scaling pilots on Solana, and expanded mobile/5G coverage, each primed to trigger network and token growth.
• Integration Into Web3/DeFi: The opening of new liquidity pools and yield products on major DEXes, paired with NFT-linked IoT access, extends new utility vectors for HNT holders.
• Improved Regulatory Landscape: Helium benefits from mounting institutional dialogue and positive regulatory moves in key markets (notably the US and ZA), easing compliance for mission-critical IoT/DePin deployments.

Investment Strategies (Based on Holding Horizons)

Short-Term Entry

• Favorable for active traders eyeing breakout opportunities above technical resistance (~6.30 USD), capitalizing on imminent protocol upgrades and heightened social sentiment.
• Tactical entries can be considered on short-term pullbacks toward the 4.50–4.85 USD support band, especially as volatility expansion looms.

Medium-Term Positioning

• Accumulation on range retracements remains justified by the combined momentum of new partnerships and Solana DeFi integrations.
• Layering entries before slated major updates—such as the Layer 2 scaling pilot or extended carrier collaborations—could allow participants to capture the bulk of intermediate upside.

Long-Term Holding

• Investors focused on the 2–5 year horizon may find Helium’s leadership in decentralized IoT and DePin uniquely positioned to harness institutional adoption, IoT proliferation, and Web3 infrastructure capital flows.
• Prudent position sizing can help navigate volatility, but the macro trend signals a wide window for strategic allocation ahead of anticipated exponential growth.

Helium Price Forecast

Is Now the Right Time to Consider Helium?

Helium presents a compelling convergence of strong technical posture, robust adoption fundamentals, and a pipeline of high-impact catalysts. The project’s entrenchment at the heart of decentralized wireless, together with its innovation-driven moat and active ecosystem, justify renewed investor interest.

Notable takeaways that reinforce the current opportunity:

• Sustainable rally and price momentum confirmed by on-chain and technical indicators.
• Real-world utility and exponential adoption curve, with broad-based hotspot rollouts and strategic partnerships.
• Market cap, liquidity profile, and developer traction all signal a healthy, liquid, and growing asset.
• Roadmap visibility, persistent protocol development, and alignment with macro trends (IoT, decentralization, and regulatory clarity) underpin long-term value.

Helium could be poised for a new bullish phase as it leads the DePin sector—its network growth, innovative roadmap, and market positioning making it stand out in a rapidly expanding digital infrastructure ecosystem. For investors seeking dynamic growth opportunities within the crypto space, Helium demonstrates the hallmarks of a high-conviction project that merits serious portfolio consideration as we approach a defining moment for decentralized wireless.

How to buy Helium?

It’s now simple and secure to buy Helium cryptocurrency online from South Africa, especially when using a regulated platform. Two main methods are available: you can either buy Helium directly (spot purchase) and actually own the coin, or you can trade via crypto CFDs (Contracts for Difference), which lets you speculate on Helium’s price without holding the coin itself. Each method has its pros and cons in terms of fees, risk, and potential gains. Below, we explain both in detail—then, you’ll find a platform comparison table further down the page.

Spot Purchase

Spot purchasing Helium means buying the real HNT coin, stored securely in your crypto wallet. You fully own the asset and can transfer or sell it at any time. Platforms usually charge a fixed commission per transaction, typically ranging from 0.5% to 2% of the trade amount, and these fees are often displayed in ZAR (South African Rand).

Example

Suppose Helium (HNT) is trading at ZAR 220 per coin. With ZAR 20,000 (roughly equal to €1,000), you could buy about 90 HNT coins, accounting for a ZAR 100 transaction fee.

• Scenario if the price increases:
  If Helium’s price rises by 10%, your holding would now be worth around ZAR 22,000.
• Result: That’s a ZAR 2,000 gross gain (+10%) on your initial investment.

Trading via CFD

Trading Helium via CFDs means you don’t own the coin itself; instead, you take a position on its price evolution, up or down. This is ideal for short-term strategies and allows the use of leverage. Fees on CFDs include the spread (the small difference between buy/sell prices) and, if you hold your position overnight, a financing charge.

Example

You open a CFD position on Helium with ZAR 20,000 and apply 5x leverage, increasing your exposure to ZAR 100,000.

• Scenario if Helium gains 8%:
  With 5x leverage, an 8% movement equals a 40% change on your invested capital.
• Result: That’s a ZAR 8,000 gain (before fees), from an initial ZAR 20,000 stake.

Final advice

Before investing, always compare the fees, available features, and conditions from different trading platforms. Your choice should align with your investment goals and experience—whether you want the safety of owning real Helium tokens, or the trading flexibility (and higher risk) of CFDs. To help you decide, a comprehensive platform comparison is available below on this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Helium

The latest news about Helium

Helium Foundation has announced new South Africa-focused partnerships to expand Helium IoT coverage nationwide.
On 26 June 2024, the Helium Foundation confirmed a collaboration with Africa Data Centres and multiple ZA-based IoT solution providers, aiming to increase the density of Helium's LoRaWAN infrastructure in key metros and industrial zones. The initiative includes planned installation of 500+ new Helium-compatible hotspots in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban by Q3 2024, a move projected to enhance network reach for supply chain, agriculture, and smart city use cases. Stakeholders anticipate accelerated local onboarding of enterprises to Helium’s decentralized network, highlighting growing demand for secure IoT connectivity in South African industry.

Binance South Africa listed Helium (HNT) for direct ZAR trading, driving renewed local investor interest.
On 25 June 2024, Binance—South Africa’s market-leading crypto exchange—officially introduced the HNT/ZAR trading pair. This listing grants South African traders direct access to the Helium token without requiring USD stablecoin intermediaries, lowering costs and improving liquidity. Early market activity reports substantial buy-side inflows, particularly from institutional and professional investors seeking diversification into decentralized wireless infrastructure assets. Binance’s press release emphasizes alignment with rising African appetite for blockchain-powered connectivity.

South Africa’s ICASA (communications regulator) publicly recognized Helium’s compliance with local spectrum policies for IoT.
In an official update on 24 June 2024, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) noted Helium’s LoRaWAN deployment operates within license-exempt ISM spectrum bands, confirming no regulatory obstacles for planned scale-up. This clear stance reassures South African ecosystem participants, removes legal uncertainty for enterprises deploying Helium-powered IoT solutions, and could foster further institutional collaborations.

Helium Network usage in South African logistics has surged, with Imperial Logistics reporting pilot program success.
A press briefing on 23 June 2024 revealed that Imperial Logistics, a leading SA supply chain group, completed a three-month pilot tracking high-value shipments using Helium-connected sensors. The program improved route optimization and reduced loss rates by 18%, according to Imperial’s CTO. Expansion to other business units is under evaluation, with the group citing Helium’s low-cost, decentralized connectivity as critical to operational efficiency and data integrity.

HNT market performance in South Africa has shown resilience despite broader altcoin volatility, underpinned by positive sector developments.
Helium’s token (HNT) price denominated in ZAR experienced a moderate gain of 4.2% week-on-week as of 27 June 2024, outperforming the overall altcoin index on regional exchanges. Analysts at Centbee Research attribute this relative strength to high-profile enterprise adoption stories and regulatory clarity in South Africa, factors which are drawing attention from local crypto funds and venture investors amidst global market uncertainty.

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.