Ethereum Classic (ETC) - Complete Fundamental Analysis

What is Ethereum Classic (ETC) crypto?

Ethereum Classic (ETC): Comprehensive Overview

Core Definition and Technology

Ethereum Classic is a blockchain-based distributed computing platform that offers smart contract functionality and is open source, supporting a modified version of Nakamoto consensus via transaction-based state transitions executed on a public Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Ethereum Classic maintains the original, unaltered history of the Ethereum network.

Blockchain Architecture

Ethereum Classic is a blockchain-based distributed computing platform that offers smart contract scripting functionality and supports a modified version of Nakamoto consensus via transaction-based state transitions executed on a public Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The validity of each ether is provided by a blockchain, which is a continuously growing list of records called "blocks" that are linked and secured using cryptography, and by design, the blockchain is inherently resistant to modification of the data.

Project History and Founding

On 20 July 2016, as a result of the exploitation of a flaw in The DAO project's smart contract software, and subsequent theft of $50 million worth of Ether, the Ethereum network split into two separate blockchains – the altered history was named Ethereum (ETH) and the unaltered history was named Ethereum Classic (ETC).

There is no individual founder of Ethereum Classic. The platform originated as a hard fork of the Ethereum blockchain network, which was originally founded by Vitalik Buterin. ETC emerged as a result of a conflict within the Ethereum community, with some members believing in the immutable preservation of the blockchain, leading to the creation of Ethereum Classic.

The DAO Incident

Early in the history of the Ethereum blockchain, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) called "The DAO" raised millions of dollars to create an opportunity for crypto-based investments. The DAO was based on a set of smart contracts which ended up being hacked and resulted in many Ethereum users losing their valuable cryptocurrency. A flaw in The DAO's code led to a hack, resulting in the loss of about 3.6 million ether, worth approximately $50 million at the time.

Development Teams

December 11, 2016: IOHK's ETC development team forms, led by Ethereum founding member Charles Hoskinson. February 20, 2017: The ETCDEVTeam forms, led by early ETC developer Igor Artamonov (splix).

Primary Use Cases and Applications

Its main function is as a smart contract network, with the ability to host and support decentralized applications (DApps). Ethereum Classic supports smart contracts, code that automatically executes under specific conditions. This allows developers to easily build decentralized applications like DAOs and stablecoins.

International payments is an especially attractive use case for ETC because it is such a secure crossborder cryptocurrency, and it is programmable. Good use cases may be for payment of imports, collections of exports, and for salaries or contractor fees for international and remote employees or contractors. Because ETC has the same monetary policy as BTC (and it is programmable through smart contracts) then it is a perfect store of value for corporate treasuries.

Consensus Mechanism and Network Security

The consensus mechanism that ETC and BTC use is popularly called "proof of work" for simplicity but the real name of the system is "Nakamoto Consensus". In this system, miners solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions and secure the network. The first miner to solve the problem gets the opportunity to add a new block to the blockchain and is rewarded with ETC for their efforts.

While Ethereum moved to a Proof of Stake (PoS) model in September 2022, Ethereum Classic chose to remain Proof of Work (PoW) as the consensus mechanism to validate transactions in an effort to ensure maximum decentralization and censorship resistance.

Mining Algorithm Evolution

In response, the Ethereum Classic development community considered several network upgrades and ultimately adopted a modified version of the Ethash proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm, known as ETChash. This change was implemented through the "ECIP-1099 Thanos Upgrade" in November 2020. The upgrade recalibrated the Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) by reducing its size and slowing its growth rate by half, enabling 3GB Ethash mining hardware to continue securing the network.

Network Security Status

Following Ethereum's transition to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism in 2022, Ethereum Classic achieved a notable milestone by becoming the largest and most secure proof-of-work blockchain supporting smart contract functionality. In 2025, the network's ETChash hashrate surpassed 300 terahashes per second (TH/s), a level not observed since Ethereum's DeFi summer boom cycle.

Historical Security Challenges

Ethereum Classic (ETC) has experienced two major 51% double-spending attacks in its history. These attacks exploit the decentralized nature of the network by gaining control of more than 50% of its mining power, allowing malicious actors to reorganize the blockchain, manipulate transactions, and double-spend digital assets. The first significant incident occurred in January 2019, when Ethereum Classic was targeted by a double-spending attack resulting in approximately US$1.1 million worth of ETC being fraudulently spent.

Tokenomics

Supply Structure

ETC is digital gold because it is a proof of work blockchain, thus the cost to produce the money is the same as the cost to produce the blocks, and it has a fixed monetary policy with a supply cap of 210,700,000. The maximum supply is thus 210,700,000 ETC, roughly ten times that of Bitcoin (BTC), while ETH has no cap.

Distribution and Initial Allocation

The original distribution event occurred through a public token sale managed by the Ethereum Foundation, which sold roughly 60 million ETH (80% of the initial 72 million ETH supply). The remaining 12 million ETH (20% of the initial supply) were allocated to the Foundation and early contributors. When Ethereum and Ethereum Classic split following the DAO fork (on July 20, 2016), holders of ETH received equivalent amounts of ETH and ETC.

Inflation/Deflation Mechanics

On 11 December 2017, the total supply of Ether on Ethereum Classic was hard capped at ETC 210,700,000 via the Gotham hard fork upgrade. This added a bitcoin-inspired deflationary emission schedule that is documented in Ethereum Classic Improvement Proposal (ECIP) 1017. The emission schedule, also known as "5M20", reduces the block reward by 20% every 5,000,000 blocks.

Current Supply Metrics

Based on available data, the circulating supply of ethereum-classic (ETC) has been in the ballpark of the mid-100-million range (roughly around 147 million ETC) in recent years, trending upward slowly as block rewards continue until the cap is approached.

Unique Value Proposition and Philosophy

Existing in response to contract censorship on sister chain Ethereum™ (ETH) and to uphold and preserve the principle of Code is Law, Ethereum Classic (ETC) has proven its ability to resist censorship against all odds, and deliver the original Ethereum vision of unstoppable applications.

It upholds the concept of 'Code is Law', meaning that the rules and regulations of a decentralized network are enforced solely through its underlying code. The Ethereum Classic community stresses the core principals of censorship resistance and (most prominently) immutability. The Ethereum Classic community governs the network by the motto "Code is Law," which instills the belief that ETC transactions and dApps are truly censorship-resistant and immune to any third party interference.

Decentralization Philosophy

Ethereum Classic doesn't have any ICO or VC funding, big development team, or well funded foundation or corporation managing it. All these parts in the ecosystem are growing organically and in a distributed manner globally not only because the world is realizing that ETC has these true principles, but because its decentralist principles are actually encoded in its system.

Competitive Advantages

Ethereum Classic's unique attributes are a combination of the following features: Proof-of-Work: ETC is a will remain as a proof-of-work blockchain which is the most secure consensus mechanism known to man. Sound money: ETC is digital gold because it is a proof of work blockchain, thus the cost to produce the money is the same as the cost to produce the blocks, and it has a fixed monetary policy with a supply cap of 210,700,000. Programmability: ETC is programmable with smart contracts making it much more versatile and useful than other simpler cryptocurrency chains such as Bitcoin or Litecoin. Full replication: ETC is most secure because it is fully replicated across all nodes of the network. Where other smart contract blockchains are implementing "sharding", "parachains", or "sidechains" that reduce security, ETC will remain fully replicated.

Development Activity and Roadmap

This phase covers recent and ongoing developments and initiatives that aim to improve and grow Ethereum Classic. It includes the implementation of the Atlantis, Agharta, and Phoenix hard forks that made Ethereum Classic fully compatible with Ethereum, the launch of the MESS protocol that protects the network from 51% attacks, the introduction of the Thanos upgrade that extends the mining life of the platform, and the integration with other blockchain platforms and technologies such as Cardano, IPFS, and Filecoin.

ETC's structure varies from most blockchain projects, incorporating multiple development teams (IOHK, ETC Labs, and ETC Cooperative), each with their own goals. In general, most of these teams have focused on providing sidechain scaling solutions, improving development tools (SDKs), and promoting cross-chain transactions so others can build on Ethereum Classic. Some of these efforts, including Connext's state channels and ChainSafe's bridge to Ethereum and Cosmos SDK-based chains, have already launched.

Market Position

Following Ethereum's transition to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism in 2022, Ethereum Classic achieved a notable milestone by becoming the largest and most secure proof-of-work blockchain supporting smart contract functionality. In 2025, the network's ETChash hashrate surpassed 300 terahashes per second (TH/s), a level not observed since Ethereum's DeFi summer boom cycle. Ethereum Classic subsequently established itself as the leading blockchain utilizing the Ethash algorithm family.

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Is Ethereum Classic (ETC) a good investment?

I'll retrieve the necessary data on Ethereum Classic and gather additional information for a comprehensive analysis.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) price prediction

ETHEREUM CLASSIC (ETC) PRICE PREDICTION ANALYSIS

Current Market Context

ETC is currently trading at $10.76 USD with a market capitalization of $1.67 billion. The asset ranks #49 by market cap with 155.3 million coins in circulation. Recent price action shows a 7.31% decline over the past 24 hours and 6.96% decline over 7 days, reflecting current market headwinds.

SHORT-TERM PREDICTIONS (2025-2026)

2025 Forecast Range

Predictions for 2025 vary significantly across analyst platforms:

Source	Low	Average	High
CoinGape	$19.68	$20.23	$20.79
Cryptopolitan	$11.73	$33.63	$37.89
CoinPedia	$26.00	$40.50	$55.00
Oriole Insights	$11.94	$28.03	$44.57

CoinCodex projects ETC to trade within $11.60-$11.74 this week, with a forecasted decline of 1.07% to reach $11.48 by February 21, 2026.

2026 Forecast Range

2026 predictions show broader divergence, reflecting uncertainty about market recovery:

Source	Low	Average	High
Coinpedia	$30.00	$55.00	$80.00
Cryptopolitan	$46.58	$47.92	$56.26
3Commas/TradingBeasts	$12.66	$13.40	$13.40
Oriole Insights	$8.14	$27.49	$47.95
CEX.IO	$21.00	$25.00	$42.00

CoinPedia identifies 2026 as a recovery year, with ETC expected to trade between $30 and $80, setting an average target near $45.

MEDIUM-TERM PREDICTIONS (2027-2028)

2027 Forecast

Source	Low	Average	High
Coinpedia	$40.00	$70.00	$100.00
Changelly	$26.24	$27.17	$31.24
CoinPedia (Detailed)	$52.68	$65.09	$77.51
DigitalCoinPrice	$16.70	$17.88	$19.39

2028 Forecast

Source	Low	Average	High
Coinpedia	$80.00	$100.00	$150.00
Changelly	$36.25	$37.61	$45.65
CoinPedia (Detailed)	$80.00	$95.38	$95.38
DigitalCoinPrice	$21.34	$25.51	$25.51

LONG-TERM PREDICTIONS (2029-2030)

2029 Forecast

Source	Low	Average	High
Coinpedia	$130.00	$175.00	$220.00
Changelly	$56.04	$57.92	$62.81
CoinPedia (Detailed)	$94.46	$106.00	$117.00
CoinFomania	$60.06	$103.46	$176.14

2030 Forecast

Source	Low	Average	High
Coinpedia	$200.00	$250.00	$300.00
Changelly	$84.60	$87.50	$99.08
CoinPedia (Detailed)	$108.20	$133.48	$158.75
CoinFomania	$91.27	$155.63	$279.20
CEX.IO	$22.00	$30.00	$42.00
CoinLore	$230.37	$343.52	$420.69

EXPERT AND ANALYST FORECASTS

Methodology Approaches

CoinCodex uses historical price datasets accounting for past volatility and market movements, incorporating the cyclical nature of Bitcoin halvings which introduce supply-side pressure every 4 years.

CoinCheckup employs technical analysis tools including SMA, EMA, RSI, MACD, Stochastic Oscillators, and Pivot Points to generate predictions.

Key Analyst Perspectives

Coinpedia expects ETC to trade between $30 and $80 in 2026, setting an average target near $45, describing 2026 as a recovery year dependent on the wider crypto cycle.

99 Bitcoins shares a more cautious view, expecting an average price near $33 in 2026 with a range from $20 to $45, noting a strong base between $10 and $15.

The Olympia Upgrade planned for late 2026 is identified as a major catalyst, introducing EIP-1559-style fee burns sending 80% of base fees to a decentralized treasury and bringing on-chain governance via a DAO.

AI AND ALGORITHMIC PREDICTION AGGREGATIONS

Machine Learning Models

CoinFomania's Machine Learning Model forecasts ETC achieving its peak value in 2025 at approximately $22.04, with potential lows of $17.56.

CoinLore's algorithmic system suggests the price may exceed the all-time high of $129.73 and reach as high as $1,364 within the next ten years.

Consensus Observations

CoinCodex's algorithm estimates the highest expected price at $35.83 by 2050, representing a conservative long-term outlook compared to more bullish models.

HISTORICAL PRICE PATTERN ANALYSIS

Recent Price Action Context

In 2025, Ethereum Classic's price action displayed a recovery-oriented but volatile price structure, beginning with ETC rebounding from prior cycle lows and forming higher highs with key support zones around $15-$20.

However, upside momentum capped near the $30-$40 resistance levels where repeated rejections led to consolidation phases, with ETC trading within a broad ascending range for much of the year reflecting cautious optimism rather than aggressive speculative demand.

Historical Highs and Lows

ETC launched in 2016 at approximately $2.08, dipped below $1, then soared above $40 during the late 2017/early 2018 market bubble. During the early 2021 bull run, ETC hit an all-time high of $176.16 on May 6, closing the year at $34.12.

KEY PRICE CATALYSTS AND POTENTIAL TRIGGERS

Positive Catalysts

The Olympia Upgrade planned for late 2026 could be a major catalyst, introducing EIP-1559-style fee burns and on-chain governance via a DAO, potentially reducing supply over time and creating price growth.

New listings, such as on Bitstamp for global users, add further exposure.

Should the crypto market undergo a bullish reversal under Trump's presidency, the demand for Ethereum Classic could surge, potentially pushing its price beyond $40.

Negative Catalysts

The recent 51% attack on Monero has led to security concerns around PoW chains like ETC.

Security concerns, including the history of 51% attacks, affect confidence and price.

ETC is considered a legacy smart contract asset with cyclical relevance rather than continuous ecosystem-driven growth, with price action often influenced by broader market sentiment, proof-of-work narratives, and Bitcoin-led momentum.

FACTORS THAT COULD INVALIDATE PREDICTIONS

Fundamental Risks

Ethereum Classic's long-term outlook depends largely on its ability to retain relevance as a proof-of-work smart contracts network.

ETC's price action is often influenced by broader market sentiment, proof-of-work narratives, and Bitcoin-led momentum, with forward price outlook increasingly sensitive to the recovery phase in the wider crypto market.

Market Volatility

Ethereum Classic recorded 13/30 (43%) green days with 3.78% price volatility over the last 30 days, indicating significant short-term uncertainty.

The current sentiment is Bearish while the Fear & Greed Index is showing 20 (Extreme Fear).

Regulatory and Competitive Pressures

Ethereum (ETH) has more developer support, innovation, and real-world usage, powering the majority of DeFi and NFTs, while Ethereum Classic focuses on immutability and Proof-of-Work.

PREDICTION SUMMARY TABLE

Timeframe	Conservative	Mid-Range	Optimistic
2025	$12-15	$20-30	$37-55
2026	$12-20	$30-50	$60-80
2027	$15-30	$50-70	$80-100
2028	$25-50	$80-100	$120-150
2029	$50-80	$100-130	$150-220
2030	$80-120	$150-200	$250-300

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How high can Ethereum Classic (ETC) go?

Ethereum Classic Price Potential Analysis

Current Market Position

Ethereum Classic's all-time high is $175.00, which was reached on May 6, 2021. At current levels around $10.76, ETC trades approximately 94% below its peak. The network maintains a market capitalization of approximately $1.67 billion with a circulating supply of 155.3 million ETC out of a maximum supply of 210.7 million tokens.

Historical Context and ATH Analysis

The all-time high of $175.00 represents a -93% change from current price levels. This peak occurred during the 2021 bull cycle when broader cryptocurrency sentiment favored alternative smart contract platforms. The price spike was driven by speculative demand rather than fundamental adoption metrics, as ETC's developer activity and network usage remained modest relative to competing platforms.

In 2025, Ethereum Classic's price action displayed a recovery-oriented but volatile price structure, with the year beginning with ETC rebounding from prior cycle lows and forming a series of higher highs with key support zones around $15-$20, though upside momentum capped near the $30-$40 resistance levels.

Supply Dynamics Impact

The maximum supply is 210,700,000 ETC, roughly ten times that of Bitcoin (BTC), while ETH has no cap. This fixed supply structure creates deflationary mechanics similar to Bitcoin, though the larger total supply relative to Bitcoin means each unit represents a smaller percentage of the total monetary base. The ETC block reward decreases with time at a rate of 20% every two years or 5 million blocks.

Network Adoption and Development Status

Ethereum Classic's on-chain metrics currently indicate a stabilization phase rather than aggressive expansion, with active address activity remaining relatively steady near long-term averages, suggesting sustained network participation despite muted price performance.

The Ethereum Classic community released draft ECIPs for the Olympia Upgrade, introducing an on-chain DAO, protocol treasury, and EIP-1559-style fee redirection, with testnet deployment planned for 2026. Ethereum Classic is exploring Optimistic Rollups to scale transaction throughput while retaining PoW security, following Ethereum's successful L2 experiments, which ETC could adopt post-2026.

Market Cap Comparison Analysis

ETC's current market cap of $1.67 billion positions it as a mid-tier cryptocurrency. For context, Bitcoin commands approximately $2.1 trillion, Ethereum approximately $400 billion, and Solana approximately $80 billion. The proof-of-work smart contract category remains niche, with ETC as the largest PoW-based smart contract platform after Bitcoin.

Realistic Price Scenarios

Conservative Scenario ($25-$35 by 2026)
This scenario assumes modest adoption gains and continued consolidation. ETC would need to reach a market cap of approximately $3.9-$5.4 billion. This represents recovery to 2023-2024 price levels and reflects stabilization without significant new catalysts. Adoption of the Olympia upgrade and modest Layer 2 progress could support this range.

Base Scenario ($40-$60 by 2026)
ETC is projected to trade between $30 and $80 in 2026, depending on market recovery, Bitcoin momentum, and proof-of-work demand. A midpoint of $40-$60 implies a market cap of $6.2-$9.3 billion. This assumes successful Olympia deployment, improved developer tooling, and broader institutional interest in proof-of-work assets as a hedge against centralization concerns. This scenario requires meaningful progress on scalability solutions and sustained mining security.

Optimistic Scenario ($80-$120 by 2026)
This scenario assumes accelerated adoption, successful Layer 2 implementation, and significant institutional interest in proof-of-work smart contracts. A market cap of $12.4-$18.6 billion would represent meaningful market share gains. Ethereum Classic is expected to trade between $40 and $100 in 2027, driven by cyclical market recovery and renewed interest in proof-of-work assets. Reaching $100+ would require ETC to capture meaningful developer mindshare and establish clear use cases beyond Bitcoin-like store-of-value narratives.

Growth Catalysts

Positive Drivers:

ETC Grants DAO announced a push into Hong Kong, leveraging the city's new Web3 regulations to promote Ethereum Classic's Proof-of-Work model, strategically positioning ETC in a regulatory-friendly Asian hub.
Successful Olympia upgrade implementation reducing sell pressure through fee burning mechanisms
Layer 2 adoption enabling DeFi and NFT applications
Institutional recognition of proof-of-work as a security model amid centralization debates
Bitcoin mining ecosystem expansion potentially benefiting ETC mining economics

Limiting Factors:

Ethereum Classic's long-term outlook depends largely on its ability to retain relevance as a proof-of-work smart contracts network, with long-term growth likely to remain cyclical and sentiment-driven, with price expectations closely tied to broader market recoveries rather than organic adoption alone.

Slower innovation versus competitors like Ethereum remains a bearish narrative. ETC is cheaper because it has lower adoption, less developer activity, and faces security concerns, while Ethereum has more users and applications.

ETC can be less attractive to developers who want the latest tools and features, and many people see Ethereum Classic as a lesser version of Ethereum, which can affect its market value and investor interest.

TAM and Competitive Positioning

The total addressable market for proof-of-work smart contract platforms remains constrained. In 2025, PoW assets still command a huge share of crypto, with CoinGecko's PoW category showing $2.13 trillion total market cap. However, most of this value concentrates in Bitcoin, with ETC competing in a narrow segment alongside smaller chains.

ETC's positioning as an ideological alternative to Ethereum's proof-of-stake model appeals to a specific subset of developers and users prioritizing immutability and decentralization over scalability. This niche positioning limits total addressable market but provides defensibility against direct competition.

Long-Term Outlook

By 2030, Ethereum Classic could trade between $200 and $300 if long-term market growth and proof-of-work relevance continue. Reaching these levels would require sustained adoption of Layer 2 solutions, successful governance through the Olympia upgrade, and broader institutional acceptance of proof-of-work security models.

The path to maximum realistic potential requires ETC to establish clear differentiation beyond ideological positioning. Success depends on execution of technical roadmap items, developer ecosystem growth, and favorable macroeconomic conditions supporting risk assets.

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How to buy Ethereum Classic (ETC)?

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Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing Ethereum Classic (ETC)

Quick Overview of Purchase Options

Ethereum Classic is available on major exchanges including Binance, OKEx, HTX and Coinbase. There are over 55 crypto exchanges where you can buy Ethereum Classic, with the top 3 being Binance, MEXC Global, and Gate. Purchases can be made through centralized exchanges (CEX) using fiat currency or cryptocurrency, or through alternative methods like payment processors.

Major Exchanges for Purchasing ETC

Exchange	Type	Payment Methods	Minimum	Key Features
Binance	Centralized	Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Crypto	$15	Largest volume, multiple trading pairs, 24/7 trading
Coinbase	Centralized	Bank Account, Debit Card, Wire Transfer	Varies	User-friendly, available in 103+ countries, strong security
Kraken	Centralized	Credit/Debit Card, ACH, Bank Wire, Apple/Google Pay	$10	Flexible payment options, strong security measures
eToro	Centralized	Multiple fiat options	Varies	Fiat currency support (non-US customers)
ChangeNOW	Decentralized	Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Apple/Google Pay	$2	Fast transactions (4-10 minutes), minimal KYC options
MEXC Global	Centralized	Multiple options	Varies	High liquidity, diverse trading pairs
Gate.io	Centralized	Multiple options	Varies	Global access, competitive fees

Step-by-Step Purchase Guide: Coinbase Method

Coinbase provides one of the most beginner-friendly approaches to purchasing ETC.

Step 1: Create and Verify Account

Visit Coinbase.com or download the Coinbase mobile app
Sign up with your email address
Download the Coinbase app, sign up, and have a valid ID (and possibly proof of address) ready for verification
Complete identity verification with your government-issued ID

Step 2: Add Payment Method

Navigate to the payment method section
Connect a bank account, debit card, or wire transfer in the payment method section
Verify the payment method through the confirmation process

Step 3: Purchase ETC

Click "Buy/Sell" in the main menu
Select Ethereum Classic (ETC) from the available cryptocurrencies
Enter the amount in USD (or your local currency)
Review the transaction fee and total cost
Confirm the purchase
ETC will be deposited to your Coinbase wallet

Step-by-Step Purchase Guide: Binance Method

Binance offers lower fees and more trading pairs for experienced users.

Step 1: Account Setup

Go to Binance.com
Register with email and create a strong password
Complete email verification
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for security

Step 2: Identity Verification (KYC)

Navigate to Account > Identity Verification
You will need a photo ID and phone number to get SMS verifications
Complete the verification process

Step 3: Add Funding Method

Go to Wallet > Fiat and Spot
Select your preferred payment method (credit card, bank transfer, etc.)
The minimum purchase amount on Binance is $15

Step 4: Purchase ETC

Navigate to the Buy Crypto section
Enter the USD amount you wish to spend
Once you've entered the amount, simply click on the "Continue" button to proceed. The platform will prompt you to add a new card to process the transaction. Enter your card details and click "Continue" to proceed
Once you're done, you'll need to complete a verification process. After that, your coins will be deposited into your Binance wallet

Trading Pairs Available for ETC

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin, Tether, and Ethereum have been the top three trading pairs for Ethereum Classic, out of a total of 19 pairs.

Common ETC Trading Pairs:

ETC/USDT - Ethereum Classic paired with Tether (stablecoin)
ETC/BTC - Ethereum Classic paired with Bitcoin
ETC/ETH - Ethereum Classic paired with Ethereum
ETC/USD - Ethereum Classic paired with US Dollar (fiat)
ETC/EUR - Ethereum Classic paired with Euro (fiat)

Currencies with which you will be able to get ETC faster include: Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum, KRW, USD, EUR, USD Coin, Binance USD, TRY, and IDR.

Recommended Wallets for Storing ETC

After purchasing ETC, secure storage is essential. When you're done buying ETC, don't forget to get your coins out of the exchange, as this is vital to keeping control of your money and minimizing the trust you put in third parties. Depending on where you bought your ETC from, there may be some fees related to withdrawing the coins but in my opinion it's worth the peace of mind.

Hardware Wallets (Cold Storage - Most Secure)

Because hardware wallets are the most secure way to store cryptocurrency it comes as no surprise that the popular Ledger Nano S is a top choice among Ethereum Classic users.

Ledger Nano S/X

The Ledger Nano S includes recovery seed, PIN protection, 2-factor authentication, and a proprietary secure operating system together with a smart chip to make the wallet tamper-proof. Moreover, because this is a hardware wallet, it keeps your private keys offline and away from the threat of hackers. When you sign a transaction with a Ledger, it remains on the device so even if you did have malware or viruses on your PC, there is no way that they could read your private key.

Trezor

When it comes to securely storing your Ethereum Classic (ETC), Trezor is an excellent choice. As an Ethereum Classic wallet, Trezor ensures your asset access remain offline, providing top-notch security against hacks and unauthorized access.
Trezor users can buy ETC securely via the "Buy & sell" tab in the Trezor Suite app. Enter the amount (fiat currency) you want to spend on ETC, select a compatible exchange provided by Invity.io, and then follow the necessary steps to complete the purchase.

D'CENT Wallet

EAL5+ certified chip ensures offline private key storage and protection from hacks. Manage 70+ blockchains in one secure wallet.

Hot Wallets (Mobile/Desktop - Convenient for Active Use)

Trust Wallet

Keep your Ethereum Classic safe with features like the Trust Wallet Security Scanner and Encrypted Cloud Backup. We secure your Ethereum Classic wallet, but don't control or have access to your private keys or secret phrase - only you do.
The Trust Wallet is available as a mobile app and desktop browser extension.

MetaMask

If you want to hold small amounts of ETC for use with decentralized applications, then try MetaMask and connect it to Ethereum Classic.

Guarda Wallet

Guarda is a non-custodial wallet that supports more than 400K+ assets. Use an online wallet right in your browser or download a mobile version. You can download the application from the Apple AppStore, or Google Play, or install a desktop wallet.

Web Wallets (Least Secure - Quick Access Only)

Web wallets shouldn't be used to secure large amounts, but allow you to easily interacting with ETC without downloads.

Security Best Practices

For Purchasing:

Use only official exchange websites or verified mobile applications
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all exchange accounts
Use strong, unique passwords for each exchange account
Verify SSL certificates (look for the padlock icon in your browser)

For Storage:

If you are holding larger amounts, it is highly recommended to purchase a Hardware Wallet
Don't save your paper wallet in any electronic form on your PC. This will defeat the purpose if a hacker can get access
Always be skeptical of unsolicited messages or emails asking for your wallet information. Verify the source and never click on suspicious links, as they may be phishing attempts to steal your assets
Keep private keys and recovery phrases in secure, offline locations
Never share your seed phrase or private keys with anyone

KYC Requirements Overview

On some exchanges, you will need to go through KYC, so you will need a photo ID and phone number to get SMS verifications.

Typical KYC Requirements:

Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, national ID)
Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
Phone number for SMS verification
Sometimes: selfie verification or video call verification

KYC-Lite Alternatives:
ChangeNOW requires minimal personal information, allowing you to engage in cryptocurrency exchanges with ease, efficiency, and an emphasis on privacy. Some of the transactions don't require any KYC at all.

Regional Availability Notes

United States:

In United States, you can buy Ethereum Classic on Coinbase's centralized exchange. Coinbase is the most trusted place for people and businesses to buy, sell, and manage Ethereum Classic
US customers can only invest in Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Bitcoin Cash on eToro

International:

Coinbase supplies an easy brokerage solution for buying ETC with your local currency IF you're located in one of the 103 supported countries
You can buy it with over sixty fiat currencies, including the U.S. Dollar, Euros, British Pounds, Hong Kong dollars, etc

Alternative Purchase Methods

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Trading:
Some exchanges offer P2P platforms where users can buy directly from other users without going through the exchange's order book.

Crypto-to-Crypto Swaps:
If you already own other cryptocurrencies, you can exchange them for ETC on decentralized exchanges or through swap services like ChangeNOW.

ATMs and In-Person:
Some Bitcoin ATMs support ETC purchases in select locations, though availability is limited.

Fee Comparison Considerations

Most exchanges charge fees for ETC transactions. These include trading fees and deposit fees. The fees vary by payment method.

Fee Factors:

Payment method (credit card typically higher than bank transfer)
Exchange chosen (Coinbase generally higher than Binance)
Trading volume (higher volume sometimes results in lower fees)
Account tier (some exchanges offer reduced fees for higher-volume traders)

Official Resources

Ethereum Classic Official: https://ethereumclassic.org
Binance: https://www.binance.com
Coinbase: https://www.coinbase.com
Kraken: https://www.kraken.com
Trust Wallet: https://trustwallet.com
Ledger: https://www.ledger.com
Trezor: https://trezor.io