What could affect the price of ETC?

Ethereum Classic’s price depends on upcoming protocol upgrades, changes in mining activity, and overall market mood.

1. Olympia Upgrade (2026) – New on-chain governance and fee burning could reduce supply.
2. Proof-of-Work Miner Shift – After Ethereum’s Merge, ETC remains a key option for GPU miners.
3. Regulatory Challenges – Environmental concerns put pressure on energy-heavy mining networks.

In-Depth Look

1. Protocol Upgrades (Positive Outlook)

What’s happening: The Olympia Upgrade, planned for late 2026, will introduce a system similar to Ethereum’s EIP-1559 fee burning. About 80% of base transaction fees will be sent to a DAO treasury instead of miners. It also adds on-chain governance, allowing the community to make decisions directly on the blockchain. This is a first for Proof-of-Work (PoW) Ethereum chains.

Why it matters: Burning fees reduces the number of new coins entering circulation, lowering ETC’s inflation from around 3.7% to 2.1% annually. This scarcity could increase value. The DAO governance might attract developers and users, but its success depends on active community participation.

2. Proof-of-Work Mining Trends (Mixed Effects)

What’s happening: ETC’s mining power increased by 18% in 2025 as some Ethereum miners switched over after Ethereum moved to Proof-of-Stake. However, mining profits are still about 92% lower than Ethereum’s peak before 2022 (CoinShares).

Why it matters: ETC benefits from miners who still prefer GPU mining, but its energy consumption (around 10 terawatt-hours per year) raises environmental concerns. The European Union is considering banning PoW mining by 2027, which could limit ETC’s growth unless it partners with greener mining operations.

3. Market Sentiment & Bitcoin Connection

What’s happening: ETC’s price moves closely with Bitcoin, showing an 0.84 correlation over 30 days. In 2025, ETC’s price rose to $24.55 alongside Bitcoin’s surge past $65,000 but lagged behind Ethereum by 37% year-to-date.

Why it matters: ETC often follows Bitcoin’s trends, making it a “beta play” for investors looking to ride altcoin waves. However, it’s vulnerable when Bitcoin prices drop. Keep an eye on the Altcoin Season Index; a sustained reading above 75 usually signals strong momentum for coins like ETC.

Conclusion

Ethereum Classic’s chance to break $20 depends on successfully implementing the Olympia Upgrade and keeping miners engaged despite regulatory pressures. Its commitment to “Code Is Law” appeals to a dedicated community, but slower developer activity (down 14% year-over-year) limits growth in decentralized finance (DeFi). The big question: Will ETC’s DAO funding model outperform other PoW chains like Kaspa in 2026? Watch for testnet activity and how much ETC’s treasury burns each quarter.

What are people saying about ETC?

The Ethereum Classic (ETC) community is debating its future, caught between fun memes and serious technology. Here’s what’s trending right now:

1. Traders are watching for ETC to rise above $14.80 if it breaks through $13.60 — this is a positive sign.
2. A bearish pattern suggests ETC could drop 10% if it falls below $12.47 — a warning sign.
3. There’s an ongoing debate between those who believe “code is law” and those who support Ethereum’s upgrades — a mixed outlook.

Deep Dive

1. @CryptoJobs3: Swing traders eye $14.80+ — bullish

"Upper levels I'm watching: 🎯14.80–15.10. Pump potential: 15%+ 💥"
– @CryptoJobs3 (41.5K followers · 32K impressions · 2026-01-06 15:34 UTC)
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What this means: This is a positive sign for ETC. Traders who use charts and price patterns see breaking above $13.60 as a signal that ETC could gain momentum and possibly increase by 15% or more if buying continues.

2. @KlondikeAI: Bearish pennant signals risk — bearish

"Short entry at $11.87, target $10.73. Beware volatility near upper boundary."
– @KlondikeAI (3K followers · 7.6K impressions · 2025-12-31 00:00 UTC)
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What this means: This is a warning sign for ETC. The chart pattern called a “bearish pennant” suggests ETC could drop about 10% if selling pressure increases. Also, because trading volume is low, price swings could be more extreme.

3. @nizacoin: ETH vs ETC philosophy debate — mixed

"ETC keeps 'code is law' vs ETH's upgrades. Original chain resists major changes 🌐"
– @nizacoin (39.5K followers · 1.7K impressions · 2025-11-18 17:56 UTC)
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What this means: This is a neutral point for ETC. Some people strongly support ETC’s principle that “code is law,” meaning the blockchain should not change after launch. This attracts fans of decentralization but also limits ETC’s growth compared to Ethereum, which regularly updates its technology.

Conclusion

The outlook for Ethereum Classic is mixed. Short-term price movements are uncertain, but the project’s core appeal remains its commitment to being Ethereum’s original, unchanging version. Traders are focused on the $12 to $14 price range, with $14.10 as a key resistance level. If ETC breaks above $14.10, it could confirm positive momentum and renew interest in ETC’s unique position as a “proof-of-work smart contracts” platform.

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What is the latest news about ETC?

Ethereum Classic is gaining fresh attention from institutional analysts and receiving new funding for its ecosystem. Meanwhile, a major stablecoin issuer is broadening its reach by adding support for multiple blockchains.

1. ETC $100 Price Prediction (January 13, 2026) – Experts predict Ethereum Classic could hit $100 by 2030, thanks to upcoming upgrades and growing interest from institutional investors.
2. Brale Expands to Algorand (January 8, 2026) – The stablecoin company Brale has launched on the Algorand blockchain, after previously issuing its stablecoin on Ethereum Classic.

In-Depth Look

1. ETC $100 Price Prediction (January 13, 2026)

Summary: A detailed report from BitcoinWorld highlights Ethereum Classic’s potential to reach $100 by 2030. Key factors include the upcoming Mystique hard fork upgrade, inflows from Bitcoin ETFs, and ETC’s unique status as a proof-of-work smart contract platform. The report also points out ETC’s close relationship with Bitcoin’s price and its appeal to institutions looking for assets that can protect against inflation.
What this means: This outlook is positive for Ethereum Classic because it emphasizes the coin’s long-term value and could attract new investors. However, hitting $100 depends on overall market trends and how well the network upgrades perform.
(BitcoinWorld)

2. Brale Expands to Algorand (January 8, 2026)

Summary: Brale, a company that issues stablecoins, has launched its digital currency on the Algorand blockchain. Previously, Brale deployed its USC stablecoin on Ethereum Classic in 2025, taking advantage of ETC’s security for international transactions.
What this means: This development is neutral for Ethereum Classic. It confirms ETC’s role as a reliable platform for stablecoin settlements but doesn’t indicate new direct improvements to the network. It does show that established projects still consider ETC a viable blockchain option.
(CoinMarketCap)

Conclusion

Ethereum Classic’s story focuses on its strong proof-of-work foundation and increasing interest from institutional investors. However, for the ecosystem to grow, it needs more than just price speculation. The upcoming Mystique upgrade could be a key factor in boosting developer activity in the first quarter of the year.

What is expected in the development of ETC?

Ethereum Classic (ETC) is moving forward with a community-led plan that highlights decentralized upgrades, with a major update called the Olympia Upgrade expected by late 2026.

1. Olympia Upgrade (Late 2026) – Introduces on-chain governance through a DAO, new funding methods, and a system to redistribute fees.
2. Decentralized Development Approach – Gradually adopts proven Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) improvements and strengthens security.
3. Commitment to Immutability – Stays true to the principle that “Code is Law,” keeping transaction history unchangeable despite market trends.

Deep Dive

1. Olympia Upgrade (Late 2026)

Overview:
The Olympia Upgrade, detailed in ECIP-1111 to ECIP-1114, brings four major changes:

• EIP-1559 Fee Burn: Redirects 80% of the base transaction fees into a decentralized treasury fund.
• On-Chain DAO Governance: Lets ETC holders vote on how funds are used and which upgrades to approve.
• Immutable Treasury Contract: Ensures transparent and secure management of development funds.
• Permissionless Proposals: Anyone can submit ideas for improvements through the Ethereum Classic Funding Proposal (ECFP) process.

Testing is currently happening on test networks, with the goal to launch on the main Ethereum Classic network by late 2026.

What this means:

• Positive: Could lower the total supply of $ETC through fee burns and encourage long-term holding by aligning incentives.
• Risks: Delays in rollout or disagreements within the community could slow progress.

2. Decentralized Development Approach

Overview:
Ethereum Classic doesn’t follow a strict development roadmap. Instead, it carefully adopts proven upgrades from the broader Ethereum ecosystem, like Optimistic Rollups, after they’ve been tested elsewhere. Recent focus includes fixing compatibility issues and improving tools for tracking coin supply, as explained in the Ethereum Classic Blog.

What this means:

• Neutral: This cautious approach limits rapid innovation but helps maintain network stability.
• Positive: Using Ethereum’s existing tools (like MetaMask) can attract developers and users familiar with the ecosystem.

3. Commitment to Immutability

Overview:
Ethereum Classic strongly opposes any changes that rewrite transaction history, a principle known as “immutability.” Upgrades like “versioned contracts” are designed to allow improvements without compromising this core value, as described in Future Classic.

What this means:

• Positive: Appeals to users who value censorship resistance and predictable smart contract behavior.
• Negative: Could fall behind if newer Layer 2 scaling solutions don’t catch up with competitors.

Conclusion

Ethereum Classic’s upcoming Olympia Upgrade and its community-driven governance model set it apart as a blockchain focused on immutability and decentralized development. While its careful upgrade path reduces technical risks, wider adoption will depend on balancing Proof of Work security with compatibility in the evolving Ethereum ecosystem.

Will ETC’s dedication to “Code is Law” continue to attract users in a market increasingly favoring chains designed for institutional use?

What updates are there in the ETC code base?

Ethereum Classic (ETC) is updating its technology to focus on decentralized decision-making and compatibility with Ethereum’s smart contract system.

1. Olympia Upgrade Draft (July 2025) – Plans to create a community-controlled funding system using DAO governance and redirect certain transaction fees to support development.
2. EVM EOF Compatibility (2024) – Improves smart contract security and efficiency by adopting Ethereum’s latest standards.

Deep Dive

1. Olympia Upgrade Draft (July 2025)

Overview:
The Olympia Upgrade aims to set up a decentralized treasury and on-chain governance system. This means that a portion of transaction fees (base fees from EIP-1559) will be redirected to a treasury controlled by the community through a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization).

Key points:

• ECIP-1111: Instead of burning transaction fees like Ethereum, ETC will send these fees to a treasury fund.
• ECIP-1113: Creates a DAO that lets ETC holders vote on how to use the treasury funds for ecosystem growth.

Why it matters:
This upgrade is positive for ETC because it builds a sustainable, community-driven way to fund projects without relying on outside grants. It keeps ETC’s Proof-of-Work security while encouraging long-term development.
(Source)

2. EVM EOF Compatibility (2024)

Overview:
Ethereum Classic is adopting Ethereum’s EVM Object Format (EOF) upgrades to stay compatible with Ethereum’s smart contract system. This improves security and efficiency for smart contracts.

Key changes:

• EIP-3540: Separates code and data storage to reduce security risks.
• EIP-3670: Checks contract code before deployment to avoid errors during execution.

Why it matters:
This update is neutral for ETC’s growth—it focuses on keeping ETC technically aligned with Ethereum rather than introducing big new features. Developers get safer tools, and the network remains stable by avoiding major disruptive changes.
(Source)

Conclusion

Ethereum Classic’s updates highlight a balance between giving the community more control and maintaining compatibility with Ethereum’s technology. The Olympia Upgrade could boost decentralization and funding, but its success depends on active community involvement. The question remains: can ETC’s cautious upgrade approach keep pace with faster-moving Layer 1 blockchains?

Why did the price of ETC go up?

Ethereum Classic (ETC) increased by 8.5% in the last 24 hours, outperforming the overall cryptocurrency market, which rose by 4.75%. Over the past week, ETC has gained 2.2%, but it is still 45% below its highest price of the year. The main factors behind this rise are:

1. Positive technical breakout – ETC moved above the $12.40 support level and is now targeting $14.10 based on Fibonacci analysis.
2. Increased mining activity – The network’s hashrate has doubled since the start of 2024, showing stronger network security.
3. Speculation around upgrades – A governance proposal from Olympia DAO aims for a 2026 upgrade, renewing investor interest.

Deep Dive

1. Technical Breakout (Positive Signal)

Overview:
Ethereum Classic recently rose above its 7-day simple moving average (SMA) of $12.64 and passed a key Fibonacci retracement level at $13. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 58, indicating there’s still room for the price to go up. The MACD indicator also turned positive (+0.079) for the first time in two weeks, suggesting upward momentum.

What this means:
Traders see the $12.40 price level as a strong support, which encouraged buying in the short term. The next resistance level to watch is $14.10, based on Fibonacci extension. However, a more significant resistance is the 200-day SMA at $17.38, which could slow down gains.

Key watch: If ETC can stay above $13.50, it may speed up its rise toward $15.

2. Mining Activity Surge (Mixed Effects)

Overview:
Ethereum Classic’s hashrate reached 300 terahashes per second (TH/s) in April 2025, a 136% increase year-to-date. This makes ETC the most mined coin using GPUs after Ethereum switched to Proof of Stake (PoS). New mining hardware like the Jasminer X16-Q (costing about $3,000 and delivering 1.95 TH/s) has improved mining efficiency.

What this means:
A higher hashrate means better network security, which is positive. However, it also means miners are selling more ETC to cover costs—about $2.8 million worth daily last week. The overall impact depends on whether new large miners, such as BITMAIN with $10 million in grants, can balance out these sales.

3. Olympia Upgrade Speculation (Positive Outlook)

Overview:
The Ethereum Classic DAO has shared draft proposals for the Olympia upgrade (Ethereum Classic DAO), planned for late 2026. This upgrade would introduce features similar to Ethereum’s EIP-1559 fee-burning mechanism and add on-chain governance.

What this means:
This upgrade aims to fix two long-standing issues with ETC: the absence of deflationary features (which help reduce supply over time) and the lack of decentralized funding for development. Although the upgrade is still years away, the announcement has sparked speculative buying, similar to what happened with Ethereum’s EIP-1559 upgrade in 2021.

Conclusion

Ethereum Classic’s recent price increase is driven by a mix of technical momentum, stronger mining infrastructure, and promising long-term upgrades. The 24-hour trading volume jumped 74% to $95 million, showing strong market interest. However, ETC is still 18% below its 30-day high, indicating potential price swings ahead.

Key watch: Can ETC maintain prices above $13.50 to prove this rally is sustainable and not just a temporary bounce? Keep an eye on mining activity and progress on the DAO’s upgrade proposals for signs of lasting strength.

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