Is It Too Late to Buy? Will Ethereum Go Up From Here?

Back in 2017, I remember watching Ethereum skyrocket from double digits to over $1,400 and thinking, well, that escalated quickly. A few years later, it dipped to nearly $80, leaving most of us wondering if we were just caught in the middle of a digital fever dream. Fast-forward to today, and Ethereum is still a major player in the crypto scene—maybe the major player, depending on who you ask.

So, naturally, a lot of people are once again asking the big question: is it going to keep climbing, or are we gearing up for another faceplant? Before we dive into any solid takes, let’s get something out of the way—predicting the price of Ethereum (or any crypto, really) is kind of like predicting the weather three months from now. You can look at patterns, sure, but one weird gust of wind and everything shifts. That said, some trends, fundamentals, and gut instincts can help paint a more realistic picture.

Let’s talk through it—no charts, no jargon. Just a human take on what might come next.

What’s Driving Ethereum in 2025?

Ethereum isn’t just a coin; it’s a whole ecosystem. It powers decentralized applications, smart contracts, NFTs, DeFi platforms—the list goes on. It’s like the app store of blockchain. That’s a big reason why it's managed to stay relevant while other coins came and went like a fad.

A major shift happened with Ethereum’s move to proof-of-stake in 2022, called “The Merge.” This transition not only made the network more energy efficient (cutting energy use by 99% or so), but it also changed the way ETH gets issued. Some people even compare ETH now to “ultrasound money” because of the deflationary pressure when network usage spikes.

All this to say—it’s not just about speculation anymore. Ethereum has real-world use, developer interest, and staying power.

So… will Ethereum go up?

That depends on a lot more than just tech.

Factors That Could Push Ethereum Higher

Let’s look at some of the reasons people are still optimistic.

1. Institutional interest is growing.
BlackRock, Fidelity, and other traditional finance giants are starting to dip their toes into crypto, including ETH. If spot Ethereum ETFs get full approval across the board (like Bitcoin did), we could see serious inflows of capital.

2. The deflation narrative is sticky.
Post-merge, ETH isn’t inflating like it used to. In fact, during periods of heavy usage, the supply has been shrinking. It’s simple economics—less supply + same (or more) demand usually = higher price.

3. The roadmap is still unfolding.
Ethereum isn’t done yet. There’s a whole lineup of upgrades planned—“The Surge,” “The Verge,” and beyond. Each one aims to make Ethereum more scalable and more efficient, meaning cheaper and faster transactions. If that pans out, more users will jump on board.

4. Use cases are expanding.
More games, apps, and financial products are launching on Ethereum than anywhere else. As the ecosystem grows, demand for ETH to power those apps goes up too.

Still, it’s not all sunshine and Lambos.

What Could Hold Ethereum Back?

1. Gas fees are still a pain.
Even with upgrades, Ethereum can still get clogged during high traffic. You might spend more in fees than the value of your transaction if you’re not careful. While layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism are helping, the experience isn’t always seamless.

2. Regulation looms.
The SEC and other regulators haven’t given Ethereum a free pass. Depending on how things go legally, it could affect how institutions and developers approach ETH.

3. Competition isn’t sleeping.
Solana, Avalanche, and a dozen other platforms are positioning themselves as “Ethereum killers.” Whether they truly are is up for debate, but they’re faster and cheaper in many cases.

4. Public perception is volatile.
Let’s be honest: crypto still has a branding problem. Hacks, scams, and wild speculation make headlines more often than innovation does. That doesn’t help Ethereum’s broader adoption.

So… Will Ethereum Go Up?

Here’s the honest, human answer: probably. But not in a straight line.

If you're holding Ethereum and wondering whether it’ll go up over the next year or two, the odds seem in your favor—especially with ETFs potentially opening the floodgates. Add in the ongoing upgrades and the move toward more scalable, affordable transactions, and you’ve got a solid foundation.

That said, you’ll need patience. This isn’t a get-rich-next-week type of investment anymore. There will be dips. There will be headlines trying to scare you out of your position. There will likely be moments when it feels like ETH is stuck in place while other assets surge.

And still, Ethereum has shown it knows how to weather storms.

My Two Cents as Someone Who's Been Burned and Blessed

I’ve bought ETH at highs and lows. I’ve cursed the gas fees and celebrated during bull runs. If there's one thing I’ve learned, it's that Ethereum isn’t just another coin—it’s the infrastructure that so many projects rely on. That alone gives it value that goes beyond just price charts.

But here's the key: zoom out. If you're looking to flip it next week, this probably isn't the market for you. But if you're in it with a long-term mindset, asking “will Ethereum go up” might be less about if and more about when.

No one can guarantee where it’ll land in six months, but looking ahead to the next three to five years, Ethereum still appears to be one of the best-positioned assets in crypto.

And that’s not investment advice—just one person’s take after riding this rollercoaster more times than I care to admit.