Purchase Celsius (CEL) with New Zealand Dollar (NZD) easily at Switchere and benefit from fast, secure transactions.
Celsius Network, with its native CEL token, emerged as a major centralized finance (CeFi) platform designed to bridge the gap between traditional banking and the world of digital assets. Its primary function was to offer users the ability to earn yield on their cryptocurrency holdings and to take out crypto-collateralized loans. The platform operated on a custodial basis, managing user funds to generate interest income through lending activities to institutional borrowers. This model positioned it as a user-friendly alternative for crypto holders seeking to put their assets to work without navigating complex DeFi protocols.
The CEL token was the core of its loyalty and rewards system. As a utility token, holding and using CEL provided tangible benefits within the Celsius ecosystem, such as preferential interest rates for both earning and borrowing. Users could receive higher yields on their deposited assets and lower rates on loans, with rewards often distributed weekly in the form of CEL. This tokenomics structure was designed to incentivize user loyalty and drive demand for the native asset. However, the platform faced significant operational challenges and market pressures, which ultimately led to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, profoundly impacting its users and reshaping the narrative around risk in the CeFi lending industry.
A direct NZD/CEL trading pair is rare due to CEL's current status. The most common fiat on-ramp method involves a two-step process: first, buy a major cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) with NZD on a New Zealand-based cryptocurrency exchange via bank transfer or debit card. Second, transfer that digital asset to an international exchange that lists CEL and trade it for CEL. This process requires KYC/AML compliance on both platforms.
The market for CEL is characterized by low liquidity and extremely high volatility, especially after the Celsius Network bankruptcy. A direct NZD/CEL order book is virtually non-existent. Trading typically occurs against stablecoins like USDT. Low liquidity means large orders can significantly impact the price (slippage), and high volatility means the price can experience drastic swings. Always check the order book depth on your chosen cryptocurrency exchange before executing a trade.
Yes, when using a New Zealand-based cryptocurrency exchange as a fiat on-ramp, you will be subject to local regulations. This includes mandatory KYC/AML (Know Your Customer/Anti-Money Laundering) checks. Exchanges operating in New Zealand are generally required to be registered as Financial Service Providers and must comply with rules overseen by bodies like the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
Celsius (CEL) is an ERC-20 token, meaning it operates on the Ethereum blockchain. It was originally designed as the native utility token for the Celsius Network, a crypto lending platform. However, following the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the token's original utility is no longer functional, and it is now considered a highly speculative digital asset.
As an ERC-20 token, CEL can be stored in any Ethereum-compatible digital wallet. For maximum security, especially for long-term holding, a hardware wallet (cold storage) like a Ledger or Trezor is recommended. For smaller amounts or active trading, a non-custodial software wallet (hot wallet) like MetaMask is a viable option. Always ensure you have sole control of your private keys and store your seed phrase securely offline.
Following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the Celsius Network, the original utility of the CEL token—such as earning higher yields or getting loan discounts on the platform—is defunct. Currently, the token's value is driven almost entirely by market speculation. This speculation may be tied to the bankruptcy proceedings' outcome or potential future plans for the asset. It is considered a high-risk asset with no functional utility in its original ecosystem.