Ethereum vs Ethereum Classic
Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC) side by side: what each is for, how each network works, and the live numbers. Neutral, no ranking, no advice.
At a glance
| Ethereum | Ethereum Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Ticker | ETH | ETC |
| Launched | 2015 | 2016 |
| How it runs | Proof of stake (since 2022) | Proof of work |
| What it is | A programmable blockchain for smart contracts and decentralized apps. It moved from mining to proof of stake in September 2022; ETH pays the network's fees. | The original Ethereum chain that continued unchanged after the 2016 fork that followed the DAO hack. Still proof of work. |
Live comparison
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The last 12 months, both starting at 100
Each line starts at 100 on the same day, so you can see which moved more, up or down, regardless of the price per coin.
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Past performance says nothing about future returns.
How to read this comparison
Size: compare market cap, not the price of one coin. A coin at $0.10 can be worth more in total than one at $100, if far more units exist.
Supply: a maximum supply means no new coins beyond a fixed number; "no fixed cap" means new coins keep being created, which spreads the value over more units over time.
Risk: both can move fast. Smaller coins usually swing harder, which is what volatility measures. A big move in the chart is history, not a forecast.
Terms on this page
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Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic?
Ethereum: A programmable blockchain for smart contracts and decentralized apps. It moved from mining to proof of stake in September 2022; ETH pays the network's fees. Ethereum Classic: The original Ethereum chain that continued unchanged after the 2016 fork that followed the DAO hack. Still proof of work.
Which is bigger, Ethereum or Ethereum Classic?
Compare market capitalisation, not the price of one coin: market cap is the price multiplied by the circulating supply. The live table on this page shows both market caps and their current rank; the ratio changes every day.
Is Ethereum or Ethereum Classic a better investment?
That depends on what you need, and this page does not rank them. The two differ in purpose, design and risk, and both can lose a large part of their value. Past performance, including the chart above, does not predict future returns. This is not investment advice.
Other comparisons
Coin pages: Ethereum · Ethereum Classic. Market data: CoinGecko. Educational information only — not investment, legal, tax or financial advice.