What is Ethereum Classic (ETC)?

Deep Dive

1. Origin and Immutability

ETC originated in 2016 when Ethereum split after the DAO hack—a $50M exploit. While Ethereum (ETH) reversed the hack via a hard fork, ETC preserved the original chain, cementing its philosophy of immutability (CoinMarketCap). This means transactions, once confirmed, cannot be modified, even in cases of fraud or errors.

2. Technology and Security

ETC uses Proof of Work (PoW) consensus, requiring miners to solve cryptographic puzzles to validate blocks. This ensures decentralization but limits scalability compared to Proof of Stake (PoS) chains. Its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility allows developers to build DApps, but with stricter adherence to code-as-law principles (Ethereum Classic blog).

3. Tokenomics and Governance

ETC has a fixed supply cap of 210.7M coins, reducing inflation risks. Recent upgrades like Olympia (2025) introduced protocol-level funding via a decentralized treasury, enabling community-driven governance. Unlike ETH, ETC avoids major protocol changes, focusing on stability and censorship resistance.

Conclusion

Ethereum Classic is a decentralized, immutable smart contract platform that prioritizes security and predictability over scalability trends. Its adherence to PoW and fixed supply mirrors Bitcoin’s ethos, while its EVM compatibility bridges it to Ethereum’s developer ecosystem.

As blockchain regulation grows, can ETC’s “Code Is Law” philosophy coexist with evolving compliance demands?