Ethereum Classic (ETC) has surged 19.58% over the past 24 hours, reaching a new price high of $27.24. With a total trading volume of $106 million and a market capitalization of $4.019 billion, ETC now ranks 22nd among all cryptocurrencies by market cap. This notable rally highlights growing investor interest in alternative blockchain networks amid broader crypto market recovery trends.
At the time of writing, Ethereum Classic hit a 24-hour high of $27.82 and a low of $22.40, with a circulating supply of 149,412,995 ETC tokens. The sharp upward movement follows increasing on-chain activity and renewed speculation around legacy blockchain platforms gaining traction in decentralized application (DApp) ecosystems.
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Understanding Ethereum Classic: A Legacy Blockchain with Lasting Appeal
Ethereum Classic emerged in July 2016 as a hard fork of the original Ethereum (ETH) blockchain, following the controversial DAO hack and subsequent reversal of transactions on the main Ethereum chain. While Ethereum moved toward a revised ledger that reversed the hack, a portion of the community chose to preserve the immutability principle — “code is law” — leading to the creation of Ethereum Classic.
Unlike its more prominent counterpart, Ethereum Classic maintains the original blockchain’s uninterrupted transaction history. Its native token, ETC, powers smart contracts and supports decentralized applications (DApps), serving as both a medium of exchange and a means to pay for computational resources on the network.
Over time, Ethereum Classic has differentiated itself through a commitment to decentralization, immutability, and resistance to centralized governance changes. While Ethereum transitioned to a proof-of-stake consensus model in 2022, Ethereum Classic continues to operate under a proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism, attracting miners and users who value energy-competitive mining ecosystems.
Recent Price Trends and Market Performance
The recent 19.58% surge in ETC’s value is part of a broader upward trend observed over multiple timeframes:
- 7-day change: +5.70%
- 30-day change: +18.68%
- 90-day change: +22.73%
- 180-day change: -15.57%
- Year-to-date (YTD): +2.22%
These figures reflect growing resilience despite volatility in the wider cryptocurrency market. The positive momentum over the last quarter suggests increasing confidence in Ethereum Classic’s long-term viability, especially as developer activity and network usage show signs of stabilization.
Notably, the six-month performance indicates a challenging mid-year period, likely influenced by macroeconomic pressures and reduced speculative trading across digital assets. However, the strong rebound since October 2025 underscores renewed institutional and retail interest in PoW-based blockchains.
Why Is Ethereum Classic Gaining Attention Now?
Several factors may be contributing to ETC’s recent price rally:
1. Resurgence of Proof-of-Work Sentiment
As environmental debates around crypto mining evolve, some investors are reevaluating proof-of-work networks for their security and decentralization benefits. Ethereum Classic remains one of the few major PoW chains still actively developed and mined.
2. Increased DApp Activity
Although smaller than Ethereum or BNB Chain, the ETC ecosystem hosts several decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and NFT projects. Recent spikes in transaction volume suggest rising adoption of these applications.
3. Market Rotation into Undervalued Assets
With Bitcoin and Ethereum stabilizing, traders are rotating capital into mid-cap altcoins offering higher growth potential. Ethereum Classic’s relatively low valuation compared to its historical peaks makes it an attractive target.
4. Network Upgrades and Developer Engagement
Ongoing improvements to the ETC protocol — including compatibility updates and enhanced smart contract functionality — have helped maintain developer engagement and user trust.
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FAQ: Common Questions About Ethereum Classic
Q: What is the difference between Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC)?
A: Ethereum Classic is the original Ethereum blockchain that continued after a 2016 hard fork. ETH adopted changes to reverse a hack, while ETC preserved the unaltered transaction history, emphasizing immutability.
Q: Is Ethereum Classic still using proof-of-work?
A: Yes, Ethereum Classic continues to use proof-of-work (PoW) consensus, unlike Ethereum, which transitioned to proof-of-stake (PoS) in 2022.
Q: Can I stake Ethereum Classic?
A: No, you cannot stake ETC directly since it operates on PoW. However, some exchanges offer yield-generating products based on ETC holdings.
Q: What are the main use cases for ETC?
A: ETC is primarily used to execute smart contracts and support decentralized applications (DApps), similar to early versions of Ethereum.
Q: How does Ethereum Classic ensure network security?
A: By maintaining a robust proof-of-work mining ecosystem, which requires significant computational effort to alter the blockchain — ensuring resistance to attacks.
Q: Where can I buy Ethereum Classic safely?
A: You can purchase ETC on major regulated exchanges that support digital asset trading with strong security measures.
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These keywords naturally align with user search intent related to price updates, technical fundamentals, investment potential, and ecosystem developments surrounding Ethereum Classic.
Looking Ahead: Will the Momentum Continue?
While short-term price movements remain subject to market sentiment and macro conditions, Ethereum Classic’s recent performance signals enduring relevance in the evolving blockchain landscape. Its adherence to core cryptographic principles — particularly immutability and decentralization — continues to resonate with a dedicated community of developers, miners, and investors.
Moreover, as interest grows in alternative consensus models and censorship-resistant networks, ETC could see further integration into DeFi platforms, cross-chain bridges, and Web3 infrastructure projects.
For investors considering exposure to established yet undervalued blockchains, Ethereum Classic presents a compelling case — combining historical significance with ongoing technological development.
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As always, prospective investors should conduct thorough research and consider risk tolerance before entering any cryptocurrency position. Market dynamics can shift rapidly, but assets like Ethereum Classic demonstrate that legacy projects can still play a meaningful role in the future of decentralized systems.