The cryptocurrency market is no stranger to network upgrades, and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is preparing for one of its scheduled protocol enhancements in 2025. As the blockchain ecosystem evolves, each upgrade brings technical improvements, investor anticipation, and potential price movement. This article explores the upcoming BCH upgrade, analyzes current market dynamics, and evaluates whether the event could trigger a standalone price surge amid broader market uncertainty.
Understanding the BCH 2025 Network Upgrade
Bitcoin Cash is set to undergo its fifth major network upgrade since its inception, continuing its biannual tradition of protocol improvements every May and November. The 2025 November upgrade—slated for activation on November 15—marks a significant milestone in the chain’s ongoing development. While not a contentious hard fork like past splits, this update introduces meaningful technical refinements aimed at enhancing security and script efficiency.
The core changes in this upgrade include:
- Schnorr Signature Support for OP_CHECKMULTISIG: This improvement allows more efficient multi-signature transactions by reducing script size and increasing privacy. Schnorr signatures enable multiple public keys to be aggregated into a single signature, improving scalability and lowering transaction fees.
- Enforcement of Minimal Push and Encoding Rules in Script: This change ensures that data pushed onto the stack follows optimal encoding standards, reducing bloating and potential exploits in smart contracts or complex scripts.
These updates were proposed months in advance by the Bitcoin ABC development team, with version 0.20.0 released well ahead of time to ensure node operators could upgrade smoothly. Unlike radical overhauls, this iteration focuses on stability and optimization—consistent with BCH's long-term vision of becoming a reliable peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
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Market Reaction: Why This Upgrade Feels Different
Despite the technical merit of the changes, market sentiment around this upgrade appears muted compared to previous cycles. During the May 2025 upgrade, BCH surged over 23% in a single day, with a cumulative gain exceeding 40% within four days. That rally coincided with Bitcoin’s breakout above key resistance levels, creating a bullish spillover effect across altcoins.
In contrast, current conditions lack the same momentum:
- Bitcoin remains range-bound, trading between $86,000 and $88,000 after a prolonged correction.
- Overall market sentiment is cautious, reflected in declining trading volumes and risk-off positioning.
- Macroeconomic uncertainty continues to weigh on digital assets, with interest rate expectations and regulatory scrutiny influencing investor behavior.
Moreover, internal governance issues—particularly leadership disputes within major BCH-supporting organizations—have added a layer of unpredictability. While not directly affecting the codebase, such controversies can dampen confidence among retail investors and traders who rely on ecosystem stability.
Given these factors, it's unlikely that the upgrade alone will catalyze a strong independent rally. Instead, any price movement is more likely to reflect broader market trends rather than fundamental excitement about the technical changes.
Technical Analysis: Key Cryptocurrencies in Focus
Bitcoin (BTC)
As the market leader, Bitcoin sets the tone for the entire crypto space. At press time, BTC is trading near $86,640. After seven consecutive bearish daily candles, a minor relief rally occurred—but volume remained low, indicating weak conviction.
From a technical standpoint:
- The price continues to make lower highs and lower lows.
- Resistance is firming around $88,000.
- The 240-day moving average acted as temporary support during recent tests.
Without a major catalyst, BTC is expected to remain range-bound between $86,000 and $88,000 in the short term. A decisive break above $88,000 could reignite bullish momentum; otherwise, renewed downside pressure toward $84,000 remains possible.
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum has repeatedly tested the $190 resistance level but has been pulled down by broader market weakness. Despite short-term setbacks:
- The overall uptrend structure remains intact.
- Weekly indicators suggest potential accumulation ahead of a larger move.
Traders should monitor the $180 support zone closely. Holding above this level increases the likelihood of a breakout. For now, ETH is likely to follow BTC’s lead but may outperform if network activity rises ahead of future upgrades.
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EOS
EOS has seen limited volatility recently, struggling to sustain breaks above its 120-day moving average at $3.60. However:
- Support at $3.30 remains firm.
- On-chain activity shows steady usage growth.
As long as the $3.30 level holds, the bullish case remains valid. Traders can use dips as entry points for medium-to-long-term positions.
Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
Ahead of its upgrade, BCH is showing signs of weakness—a notable departure from past upgrade cycles. The price has dipped below the 120-day MA, now acting as a key pivot point.
Key levels:
- Support: $270
- Resistance: $290
A close below $270 could signal further downside toward $250. Conversely, a successful upgrade without incident might spark short-covering rallies—if overall market sentiment improves.
Litecoin (LTC)
LTC has recorded four straight red candles and recently broke below $60. While $58 remains strong support:
- A close under $58 could trigger additional selling pressure.
- Recovery requires reclaiming $62 with volume.
For now, LTC mirrors broader altcoin trends—vulnerable but not broken.
XRP
XRP continues to underperform, showing weakness relative to both BTC and the general market. A potential double bottom is forming on the 4-hour chart, supported by strong demand near $0.265.
However:
- Short-term trading value is low.
- Long-term investors should wait for clear signs of stabilization above $0.275.
Ontology (ONT)
ONT has shown resilience with two consecutive green days despite market headwinds. Key observations:
- Yearly resistance remains a barrier near $0.95.
- Maintaining above the 5-day MA suggests ongoing buying interest.
If ONT clears $0.95 decisively, it could extend gains toward $1.05.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the purpose of the BCH November 2025 upgrade?
A: The upgrade enhances transaction efficiency and script security through Schnorr signatures and stricter encoding rules in Bitcoin Cash’s scripting language.
Q: Will the BCH upgrade cause a price spike?
A: Historically, upgrades have led to rallies—but only when combined with positive market conditions. Given current bearish sentiment and lack of strong momentum, a significant price jump is unlikely unless Bitcoin reverses course.
Q: How do Schnorr signatures benefit BCH users?
A: They allow multiple signatures to be combined into one, reducing transaction size and fees while improving privacy and scalability.
Q: Is BCH still relevant in today’s crypto market?
A: Yes—while overshadowed by larger chains, BCH maintains active development, merchant adoption, and a committed community focused on fast, low-cost payments.
Q: Should I buy BCH before the upgrade?
A: Not solely based on the upgrade event. With no clear bullish momentum and internal ecosystem uncertainties, it's wiser to wait for technical confirmation of strength post-upgrade.
Q: Where can I track BCH network activity before the upgrade?
A: Monitor blockchain explorers and node distribution tools for signs of widespread adoption of the new client version.
Final Thoughts: Realistic Expectations for BCH
The 2025 BCH upgrade represents solid engineering progress—but not a game-changing event. In isolation, such technical improvements rarely move markets. What matters most is context: macro trends, Bitcoin’s direction, and investor psychology.
For traders:
- Avoid FOMO-driven entries before upgrades.
- Watch for post-upgrade volatility for potential swing opportunities.
For long-term holders:
- Focus on adoption metrics and network health over short-term price action.
- Use pullbacks in strong projects like BCH as strategic accumulation points—when fundamentals align.
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While an independent BCH rally in this environment seems improbable, staying informed keeps you prepared for when conditions do shift in favor of innovation-driven momentum.