We conclude our Ethereum split series with an in-depth comparison of Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC), exploring their origins, market performance, and future potential.
Background: The Hard Fork
The 2016 Ethereum hard fork was initiated to refund victims of The DAO attack. A refund smart contract allowed DAO token holders to withdraw 1 ETH per 100 DAO tokens. While the majority supported the fork, dissenters—opposed to the bailout—launched Ethereum Classic (ETC) to preserve the original chain's immutability.
Ethereum Classic (ETC) vs Ethereum (ETH)
Technical Similarities
Both platforms:
- Run decentralized smart contracts.
- Share core blockchain functionality.
Key Differences
| Metric | Ethereum (ETH) | Ethereum Classic (ETC) |
|----------------------|-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| Market Cap (2017) | ~$20 billion (2nd largest) | $1.3 billion (7th largest) |
| Price (2017) | $216.75 | $14.45 |
| Supply Policy | Infinite | Hard cap of 210 million (deflationary) |
| Community Focus | Enterprise adoption (EEA-backed) | Immutability purists |
👉 Why did ETC survive against predictions?
Market Performance
- ETH: Quickly recovered post-DAO attack, buoyed by upgrades and institutional support (e.g., Microsoft, JP Morgan via EEA).
- ETC: Defied expectations—miners sustained the original chain despite low hashing power. Its deflationary model (20% reward reductions every ~2 years) appeals to Bitcoin-like scarcity advocates.
Future Outlook
- ETH: Transition to proof-of-stake (PoS) may redefine mining efficiency.
- ETC: Steady growth with a niche community valuing censorship resistance.
👉 Will ETC’s hard cap give it long-term value?
FAQ
Q: Why did Ethereum Classic split from Ethereum?
A: To protest the DAO bailout, upholding blockchain immutability.
Q: Which has better enterprise support?
A: ETH, via the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA).
Q: Is ETC’s supply truly limited?
A: Yes—capped at 210 million ETC by 2070, with periodic reward reductions.
Q: Can both coexist long-term?
A: Likely; ETH leads in adoption, while ETC caters to ideological purists.
Both ETH and ETC offer unique value propositions. ETH’s innovation momentum contrasts with ETC’s principled scarcity—making them key players to watch in the crypto ecosystem.
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1. Ethereum split
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7. Cryptocurrency comparison
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### Notes:
- Removed dated price references (e.g., "last year") for timelessness.
- Added **Markdown table** for clarity.
- Anchors link to a relevant exchange (OKX) for further exploration.