The crypto world is abuzz with debates and discussions on various cryptocurrencies, blockchain networks, and their underlying technologies

One such heated debate revolves around Ethereum Classic (ETC) and Ethereum (ETH), which emerged as a result of an ideological rift in the Ethereum community

To provide a comprehensive understanding of this debate, let's dive into the history, key differences, and philosophical perspectives of Ethereum Classic and Ethereum in this informative article.

Hacking and a Contentious Fork

In 2016, a third-party application, known as The DAO, was hacked and running on the Ethereum blockchain, leading to the theft of millions of dollars worth of ether (ETH). In response to this significant hack, the Ethereum blockchain underwent a contentious hard fork, with the intention of reversing the hack and returning the stolen ETH to its original owners.

The unedited branch of this fork, however, decided to preserve a 100% immutable ledger, which included the hack's record. This original branch continued as Ethereum Classic, while the edited blockchain retained the Ethereum moniker. The two blockchains now differed in only one aspect: one still contained the record of the hack and the stolen ETH, while the other essentially rolled back the clock, acting as if the hack never happened.

The Origin of Ethereum Classic

Ethereum Classic (ETC) emerged as a result of an ideological rift in the Ethereum community. After the hard fork that reversed the hack, a faction of the Ethereum community maintained that a blockchain should remain immutable and unaltered under all circumstances.

These community members believed that any attempts to change the blockchain went against the core principles of decentralization and transparency. As a result of this unwavering stance, this group championed the unedited branch and established Ethereum Classic.

Key Differences Between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic

Ideology and immutability: ETC remains dedicated to the principle of immutability, even in the face of hacks and thefts, while ETH believes that blockchains can be modified under certain circumstances for the greater good.

Community and development: ETH currently boasts a larger and more active community, which enables faster development and implementation of new features. As a result, ETH is more commonly used for dApps and smart contracts compared to ETC.

Monetary policy: ETH's monetary policy is designed to keep inflation in check and provide incentives for staking, while ETC has a different inflationary schedule, and there is no staking mechanism.

Philosophical Perspectives and the Future Path

The ETC vs. ETH debate essentially boils down to a clash of philosophies. Proponents of ETC prioritize immutability, decentralization, and the importance of maintaining a truly transparent and unaltered record. Conversely, ETH advocates believe in making adjustments when necessary, upholding the values of community governance and the ability to evolve with the changing times.

Deciding which cryptocurrency and underlying philosophy aligns with personal beliefs and preferences is a matter of individual choice. However, it's essential to equip oneself with the requisite knowledge and proper context to make informed choices.


The Ethereum Classic vs. Ethereum debate stems from an ideological rift on the role and purpose of blockchain technology.

By understanding the history, key differences, and philosophical perspectives, you can make an educated decision as to which camp aligns more closely with your views and values.

References:

ETC vs. ETH: Ethereum Classic’s Ideological Rift | Gemini. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/ethereum-classic-etc-vs-eth

elegant_solution. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2024, from https://www.freepik.com/author/user28432665

Freepik - Goodstudiominsk. (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2024, from https://www.freepik.com/author/goodstudiominsk

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