What is Ethereum Classic (ETC)? The Origin and Key Differences from ETH (Ethereum) - 2025 Updated Guide

TL;DR

Ethereum Classic (ETC) emerged from a hard fork of Ethereum (ETH) in July 2016.
ETC functions as a smart contract network supporting decentralized applications (DApps).
Top exchanges for ETC trading include Binance and KuCoin.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) Basics

Chinese Name: 以太經典 / 以太坊經典
English Name: Ethereum Classic
Symbol: ETC
Official Website: https://ethereumclassic.org/
Creators: Originally part of ETH, founded by Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood.

👉 Current ETC Price (As of January 2025: $28.52 USD ≈ 939.28 TWD)

Total Supply: 210,700,000 ETC (fixed cap).

What is Ethereum Classic (ETC)? Why Does ETC Exist?

Ethereum Classic (ETC) is the original Ethereum blockchain that continued unchanged after the 2016 hard fork that created Ethereum (ETH). It operates as a smart contract platform for DApps, with ETC being its native cryptocurrency.

The DAO Hack and the Birth of ETC

In 2016, a decentralized organization called The DAO was hacked, losing 5% of all ETH in circulation. The Ethereum community voted (97% approval) to reverse the hack via a hard fork, creating ETH. Those who opposed the fork continued using the original chain, renamed Ethereum Classic (ETC).

Core Philosophy: "Code Is Law"

ETC upholds immutability—blockchains should never be altered, even to reverse theft. This contrasts with ETH’s more flexible governance.

ETC vs ETH: Key Differences

Feature	Ethereum Classic (ETC)	Ethereum (ETH)
Origin	Original chain post-DAO fork (2016)	New chain post-fork (2016)
Consensus	Proof of Work (PoW)	Proof of Stake (PoS)
Ecosystem	Smaller DApp/developer adoption	Largest smart contract platform
Governance	"Code is Law" – No chain reversals	Community-driven upgrades
Energy Use	High (PoW mining)	Low (PoS validation)

The Future of ETC

ETC’s roadmap emphasizes:

Immutable smart contracts ("Code is Law").
Resistance to censorship or third-party interference.
A decentralized ethos contrasting ETH’s evolving governance.

Critics argue ETC’s limited adoption and PoW model hinder growth, but proponents value its ideological purity.

How to Buy & Trade ETC

Top exchanges for ETC:

Binance – Highest liquidity.
KuCoin – Competitive fees.
MEXC – Beginner-friendly.

👉 Trade ETC on OKX (Low fees, high security).

FAQ

1. Is ETC a good investment?

ETC suits those who value blockchain immutability, but its smaller ecosystem limits utility compared to ETH.

2. Can ETC reach $100?

Market-dependent. ETC’s price hinges on adoption and crypto trends.

3. Why does ETC still use PoW?

PoW aligns with ETC’s decentralization principles, though it’s less energy-efficient than PoS.