Should You Buy Internet Computer in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the development of the Internet Computer cryptocurrency for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users in South Africa trust us to analyse market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In accordance with our ethical guidelines, HelloSafe has never purchased Internet Computer nor received remuneration from any entities associated with its ecosystem.

Internet Computer in brief

How much does 1 Internet Computer cost?

The price of Internet Computer is on the rise this week. Currently, ICP is trading at approximately R92.99, marking a 0.58% increase over the past 24 hours and a solid 4.5% gain for the week.

Internet Computer remains a dynamic asset—while it offers innovative technology and growth potential, its price history reflects the volatility seen across global cryptocurrencies.

Our full review of the cryptocurrency Internet Computer

Have we truly grasped the full potential of Internet Computer after three years of technological turbulence and breakthrough innovations? Drawing on the latest ICP price action, ecosystem expansion, and leveraging our proprietary multi-source algorithms—combining on-chain analytics, technical signals, market structure, and competitive analysis—we present a fresh, cohesive outlook. So, why might Internet Computer reclaim its status in 2025 as a strategic entry point within the Layer 1 and decentralized AI ecosystems?

Performance and Recent Market Context

ICP Price Evolution: 2022–2025

Internet Computer (ICP) has experienced a remarkable transformation over the last three years, rebounding decisively from its all-time low of $2.87 (September 2023) to its present value of $4.98 (June 2025)—a robust 74% rally. After periods of sharp volatility and significant downtrends from its 2021 post-listing highs, ICP’s recent trajectory indicates restored momentum, highlighted by a 58.7% one-year performance and notable weekly outperformance against both the global crypto market and Layer 1 peers.

Recent events have further solidified market sentiment and attracted institutional and retail attention:

• Roadmap 2025 Update: Over 20 new functions and protocol enhancements were unveiled in February, signalling strong commitment to innovation.
• World Computer Summit (Zurich, June 2025): Brought together top developers, VCs and institutional players, placing ICP at the center of Layer 1 narratives.
• Launch of Caffeine.ai: A cutting-edge platform enabling AI-driven app creation, cementing the project’s DeAI (Decentralized AI) positioning.

Macro trends are increasingly favorable: institutional flows into crypto infrastructure, a re-acceleration of Layer 1 adoption, and growing regulatory understanding have created constructive tailwinds for next-generation “World Computers” like ICP.

Technical Analysis

Key Crypto Indicators

• RSI (14d): Standing at 43.66, ICP’s RSI signals neutral conditions, neither overbought nor oversold—a constructive base for accumulation before momentum surprises.
• MACD: Currently in bearish alignment, but oscillators show signs of a potential bullish crossover as downside momentum wanes.
• Support & Resistance: Robust support has formed near $4.93, validated by repeated retests. Key resistance zones lie at $5.06 (short-term), then $6.08 and $7.33, which could trigger breakout phases if overcome.

Moving averages over the medium term are converging; historic volatility is compressing, suggesting a possible regime change. Volume profile analysis confirms that negative spikes are absorbed, with $55M in recent daily turnover underlining active participation at current levels.

Momentum structures—especially in relation to ICP’s 1-year +58% performance—indicate increasing demand and buyer confidence, particularly amongst longer-horizon holders.

Fundamental Analysis

Structural Strengths and Positioning

• Adoption and Ecosystem Development
• The ICP ecosystem has achieved impressive traction:
• DeFi protocols: Sonic, ICPSwap, InfinitySwap scaling TVL and user adoption.
• Social dApps: OpenChat (100K users) and Distrikt (70K accounts), underscoring real-world stickiness.
• NFT/Gaming: Full-stack integrations with Ethereum Metaverse and 3D projects widen addressable markets.
• Relative Valuation
• At a market cap of $2.66B with circulating supply locked at 534M ICP, ICP trades at a multi-year discount compared to Layer 1 competitors, while TVL and network activity point upward.
• Fully Diluted Valuation remains attractive, especially given planned deflationary mechanisms: recent tokenomics updates have reduced inflation from 10% to 6%, and the burning of tokens (via conversion to “cycles”) constantly decreases marketable supply.
• Technological Differentiation
• ICP’s “World Computer” vision is unique: the only blockchain able to natively host full web applications at internet scale.
• Chain Key Cryptography enables seamless, trustless interoperability with major chains including upcoming Solana (“Helium”) and Dogecoin (“Meridian”) integrations.
• Reverse gas model: Developers and dApps are liberated from user gas fees, driving onboarding and lowering friction.
• Governance and Community
• Decentralization is tangible: The Network Nervous System (NNS) operates as a protocol-embedded DAO, incentivizing active governance with staking rewards.
• A developer-centric foundation and vibrant, bullish community (75% positive sentiment on CoinGecko polls) consolidate ICP’s place among top Layer 1s.

Volume and Liquidity

• Sustained 24h trading volume above $55M validates strong market confidence and liquidity—even during periods of sector-wide risk aversion.
• ICP maintains solid listings on tier-1 exchanges (Binance, Coinbase, OKX, etc.) and consistently ranks in the top 50 by market capitalization—key benchmarks for investor trust.
• The token enjoys healthy liquidity depth, minimizing slippage for significant trade sizes—notably, the largest volumes are seen on the ICP/USDT pair.

Positive Catalysts and Outlook

• Protocol Upgrades: Chain Fusion, DeAI agent deployments and the self-writing internet paradigm are positioned to drive exponential network effects.
• Ecosystem Synergies: Partnerships with emerging AI and Layer 1 communities (Solana, Ethereum, Dogecoin) expand ICP’s relevance and composability.
• Potential Regulatory Tailwinds: The project’s Swiss jurisdiction (DFINITY Foundation in Zurich) provides clarity and resilience relative to competitors facing regulatory hurdles.
• Institutional Signals: The presence of major VCs, the World Computer Summit, and expanding developer toolkits continue to bolster long-term adoption trajectories.

Investment Strategies by Horizon

Short-Term (<6 Months)

• For tactical investors, entering near recent support ($4.93–$5.06) increases the probability of effective risk/reward, with breakouts above $6.08 and $7.33 as near-term performance triggers.
• Beta traders may find momentum strategies attractive as technical oscillators suggest a possible bullish reversal.

Medium-Term (6–18 Months)

• The run-up to major protocol upgrades—such as the Chain Fusion integration and DeAI tooling releases—are typically moments when Layer 1s re-rate, often outperforming the wider sector.
• Staking participation via NNS governance can amplify rewards and enhance yield, providing attractive risk-mitigated carry.

Long-Term (18 Months+)

• The convergence of blockchain and decentralized AI, alongside direct application hosting at the web layer, positions ICP as a leading infrastructural asset for the next tech cycle.
• Long-term accumulation at this discount to all-time high (-99% off 2021 peak) appears particularly compelling given the growth trajectory of DeFi, SocialFi, and Web3 AI.
• Strategic positioning ahead of the next ecosystem inflection (for example, before the next major Summit or tech milestone) maximizes asymmetric upside.

Projected Price Evolution of Internet Computer

Is Now the Time to Buy Internet Computer?

Consider the following fundamentals shaping ICP’s outlook:

• Multi-year undervaluation: ICP is currently trading at a compelling discount not seen since before its AI pivot, despite robust ecosystem metrics.
• Unique competitive moat: Its blend of “World Computer” architecture, advanced interoperability, and the reverse gas fee model places ICP apart from other Layer 1 protocols.
• Ecosystem expansion & sticky adoption: Real community-driven projects (DeFi, SocialFi, NFTs) are delivering sustained usage and developer activity.
• Liquidity and structural resilience: Healthy market depth, prominent listings, and market capitalization ranking reinforce entry confidence.
• Extraordinary upside potential: The convergence of major protocol upgrades, DeAI narrative momentum, and expanding cross-chain integrations creates a rare window for high-conviction, strategically timed accumulation.

Looking ahead, the technical and fundamental signals converge: Internet Computer appears poised at a critical accumulation stage. Its next chapter—propelled by technological leadership, a disciplined governance model, and expanding ecosystem use cases—could well mark the start of a substantial revaluation. While risk management remains essential given prior volatility, ICP’s structural strengths and innovation trajectory justify renewed investor attention.

Internet Computer remains a high-volatility cryptoasset that offers excellent opportunities for dynamic, risk-aware investors. The recent acceleration in price demonstrates ICP’s ability to generate rapid, powerful moves; the macro context reinforces the need for selectivity. Key technical levels to watch are 114 ZAR as immediate support and 147 ZAR as the next primary resistance. The next scheduled protocol upgrade (Chain Fusion), expected in H2 2025, may prove to be a decisive catalyst for ICP’s future trajectory.

How to buy Internet Computer?

It’s now simple and secure to buy Internet Computer (ICP) crypto online in South Africa via a regulated platform. Investors can choose between two main methods: buying ICP “spot” (owning the real token in a wallet) or trading on its price movements with crypto CFDs (no actual ownership, leveraged trading). Each method has distinct features, costs, and risk profiles. For a direct comparison of leading platforms and their fees, check out our comparison table lower on this page.

Buying ICP “Spot”

Buying Internet Computer (ICP) “spot” means you purchase real ICP coins, which are stored in your crypto wallet (either directly on the platform, or in your own external wallet for extra security). You truly own the crypto and can move, withdraw or stake it as you like.

Typical fees in South Africa: Expect a fixed commission per transaction, often charged in ZAR (South African rand). (For example, major platforms typically charge ~0.75% per buy).

Example with R20,000 investment

(approx. €1,000; 1 EUR ≈ 20 ZAR for illustration): If ICP costs $4.98 (≈R92 per coin), you could buy about 217 ICP coins with R20,000, accounting for roughly R150 of transaction fees.

✔️ Profit scenario: If ICP rises 10%, your holding is now worth R22,000. Result: R2,000 gross gain (+10% return).

Trading ICP via CFDs

Trading ICP with CFDs (Contracts for Difference) allows you to speculate on ICP’s price without owning the actual tokens. You trade a contract based on ICP’s price—from your broker—and can use leverage to amplify exposure. CFD trading involves specific costs: the spread (difference between buy/sell price) and, if you keep your position overnight, overnight financing fees.

Example with R20,000 deposit and 5x leverage

You open an ICP CFD position with 5x leverage, giving R100,000 exposure to the market.

✔️ Profit scenario: If ICP rises by 8%, your CFD position gains 8% × 5 = 40%. Result: R8,000 gross gain on your R20,000 initial margin (excluding fees).

Key Reminders Before Investing

Always compare the fees and conditions on various platforms before investing, as costs and features can vary widely for spot vs. CFDs. Your choice will depend on your investment goals, risk appetite, and trading experience. For a detailed platform comparison (including regulatory status and local payment methods in ZA), see the table further down this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Internet Computer

The latest news about the Internet Computer

Internet Computer (ICP) has outperformed broader crypto markets and smart contract platforms over the past week. ICP recorded a 4.5% price increase over the last seven days, compared to a marginal 0.3% decline for the total crypto market, and a relative outperformance of 0.2% versus other smart contract layer 1 platforms. This positive trend aligns with strong community sentiment, with 75% of ICP holders expressing a bullish outlook according to CoinGecko, indicating robust confidence and renewed momentum for Internet Computer in the current market cycle.

DFINITY’s updated 2025 roadmap and World Computer Summit signal accelerating innovation and ecosystem growth. DFINITY Foundation, which drives ICP development, presented a refreshed 2025 roadmap in February touting more than 20 new features—many now coming to fruition, as showcased at the World Computer Summit in Zurich in June. Among the headline innovations, the launch of Caffeine.ai—a platform enabling users to build AI-driven applications directly on-chain—demonstrates Internet Computer’s commitment to making advanced tech accessible and bolstering its “world computer” vision. These events and deliverables highlight an ambitious trajectory and are likely to stimulate developer engagement globally, including in emerging markets like South Africa.

ICP’s integration with major blockchains and AI models positions it as a competitive Layer 1 for African enterprises. The upcoming Chain Fusion milestones bring interoperability with prominent networks such as Solana and Dogecoin, while the Decentralized AI (DeAI) initiative embeds Large Language Models (LLMs) and autonomous AI agents directly on-chain. This positions ICP as a unique infrastructure for African startups and enterprises seeking flexible, cutting-edge solutions in DeFi, AI, and Web3 development—particularly valuable as South Africa’s tech sector pursues digital transformation and cross-chain interoperability.

Tokenomics improvements and decreased inflation strengthen ICP’s case as a sustainable long-term asset. ICP’s recent reduction in inflation rate from 10% to 6%, combined with ongoing token burns (via conversion to “cycles” for computation fees), reflects a more disciplined and deflationary-friendly monetary design. These adjustments are intended to improve store-of-value properties, potentially appealing to South African investors navigating a volatile currency environment, and support healthy, long-term network growth by aligning user incentives with ecosystem stability.

Internet Computer’s global accessibility through top-tier exchanges ensures ample liquidity for South African institutional and retail participants. ICP maintains high trading volumes (over $55M USD per 24h) and is readily accessible for ZA users via international platforms like Binance, Coinbase, and OKX. As local adoption of digital assets grows and regulatory clarity improves in South Africa, this easy market access, paired with ICP’s expanding ecosystem (DeFi, NFT, and social dApps), presents substantial opportunities for both professional and retail crypto investors in the region to engage with innovative digital infrastructure safely and at scale.

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.