What is Ethereum Classic (ETC)?

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Philosophy

Ethereum Classic emerged in 2016 when Ethereum split over reversing the DAO hack. ETC’s community rejected altering transaction history, cementing its “Code Is Law” principle. This philosophy ensures blockchain immutability—no entity can modify or censor transactions, even in cases of exploits (CoinMarketCap).

2. Technology & Consensus

ETC uses Proof of Work (PoW) to secure its network, unlike Ethereum’s switch to Proof of Stake. Miners solve cryptographic puzzles to validate transactions, a system ETC advocates argue is more decentralized and resistant to control by large stakeholders. It also supports smart contracts and the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), enabling decentralized apps (DApps) (Ethereum Classic Blog).

3. Key Differentiators

• Capped supply: Fixed at 210 million ETC (vs. Ethereum’s uncapped supply).
• Censorship resistance: PoW miners can’t block transactions based on regulations, unlike PoS validators.
• Conservative upgrades: Prioritizes security over scalability, avoiding major protocol changes.

Conclusion

Ethereum Classic is a PoW smart-contract blockchain defined by its commitment to immutability, decentralization, and a Bitcoin-like monetary policy. While it shares technical roots with Ethereum, its refusal to compromise on “Code Is Law” sets it apart. As blockchain ecosystems evolve, will ETC’s focus on security and neutrality carve a niche in high-value, trust-minimized applications?