What could affect the price of ETC?
The future price of Ethereum Classic (ETC) depends on a major upcoming upgrade, its unique position as a leading proof-of-work (PoW) smart contract platform, and current weak market sentiment.
- Olympia Upgrade – Scheduled for late 2026, this hard fork will introduce fee burning and on-chain DAO governance, aiming to fund development sustainably and reduce supply over time.
- PoW Niche vs. Competition – ETC is the biggest PoW smart contract chain, attracting miners after Ethereum’s switch to proof-of-stake, but it faces challenges growing its ecosystem compared to more active competitors.
- Bearish Sentiment & Technicals – ETC is oversold near $8 support, which could lead to a short-term bounce, but the strong downtrend and market fear suggest risks of further decline.
Deep Dive
1. The Olympia Upgrade (Positive Outlook)
What it is: The Olympia Upgrade, expected by the end of 2026, is ETC’s most important planned update. It includes four Ethereum Classic Improvement Proposals (ECIPs) that will add a fee-burning mechanism similar to Ethereum’s EIP-1559, burning 80% of base transaction fees, and create an on-chain treasury managed by a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). This treasury would fund ongoing development in a transparent and decentralized way.
Why it matters: Burning fees reduces the total supply of ETC during times of network use, which can increase value over time. More importantly, the treasury could fix ETC’s long-standing problem of underfunded development, helping the network grow and improve faster. The success of this upgrade depends on community support and smooth rollout. (Ethereum Classic DAO)
2. ETC’s Position as a PoW Smart Contract Chain (Mixed Outlook)
What it is: ETC stands out by sticking with Proof-of-Work and the principle that “code is law,” meaning transactions are final and unchangeable. After Ethereum moved to Proof-of-Stake, ETC became the largest PoW blockchain that supports smart contracts, attracting miners and investors who prefer PoW’s security model.
Why it matters: This gives ETC a unique place in the market and could attract capital when PoW is favored. However, ETC competes with faster and more developed blockchains that have larger developer communities and more projects. Its smaller ecosystem and lower total value locked (TVL) mean growth is limited unless it can attract more developers and users.
3. Current Market Sentiment & Technical Analysis (Negative Outlook)
What it is: ETC’s price is currently $8.71, well below key averages like the 200-day moving average at $15.84, indicating a strong downtrend. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is 38, showing the coin is oversold, but the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains negative. Overall market sentiment is “Extreme Fear,” with ETC down over 32% in the last month amid a weak altcoin market.
Why it matters: These technical signals suggest any price increase is likely a short-term bounce within a larger downward trend. The critical support level is around $8; if ETC falls below this, it could drop further toward $6.33. To reverse the trend, ETC needs to break above $10.26 (the 50% Fibonacci retracement level) with strong momentum, which seems unlikely without a broader crypto market recovery.
Conclusion
Ethereum Classic faces a battle between a promising long-term upgrade and tough short-term challenges. Traders might see a bounce from oversold conditions, but the dominant trend remains bearish. Long-term holders are hopeful that the Olympia Upgrade will strengthen ETC’s fundamentals and boost adoption. The key question is whether the $8 support level can hold long enough for this upgrade story to gain traction or if broader market pressures will push prices lower.
What are people saying about ETC?
The Ethereum Classic (ETC) community is cautiously watching for a possible price rebound while questioning its long-term role in the crypto space. Here’s what’s trending right now:
- A technical analyst sees signs of a short-term upward move, hinting that the price trend might soon reverse.
- A market expert points out ETC’s difficulty holding its support level amid strong competition and low developer activity.
- A trader thinks ETC could be an attractive altcoin to watch in February if the current trend continues.
In-Depth Look
1. @Londinia_IA: Signs of short-term bullish momentum
"🤖 $ETC $ETCUSD #ETHEREUMCLASSIC - 1H: The current short-term bullish acceleration on ETHEREUM CLASSIC - ETC/USD should quickly allow the basic trend to return to bullish."
– @Londinia_IA (1,306 followers · 2026-02-07 21:40 UTC)
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What this means: This is a positive sign for ETC, suggesting that on the hourly chart, the price may soon start moving upward again. Traders are showing interest in a short-term bounce from recent lows.
2. @Nicat_eth: ETC struggles with support and competition
"Ethereum Classic ( $ETC ) — struggling to hold structural support as market-wide risk-off sentiment accelerates... Weak Developer Activity — Ecosystem growth is slow compared to L1 competitors..."
– @Nicat_eth (7,528 followers · 2025-12-01 20:53 UTC)
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What this means: This is a warning sign for ETC. It’s having trouble maintaining key price support and is falling behind newer, faster blockchains. The slow pace of developer involvement raises concerns about its long-term future.
3. @AvrgJoeCrypto: Possible altcoin opportunity in February
"$ETC Ethereum Classic could be a juicy Altcoin Play in Feb. if the trend holds..."
– @AvrgJoeCrypto (995 followers · 2026-01-07 04:24 UTC)
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What this means: This is a mixed outlook. The trader sees potential for ETC as a speculative investment in February, but this depends on the overall market staying favorable rather than any specific developments in the project.
Conclusion
Opinions on Ethereum Classic are divided. Some traders see a chance for a short-term price bounce, while others worry about its declining relevance and weak developer support. The main theme is whether ETC can maintain value as an older Proof-of-Work cryptocurrency during a cautious market. Keep an eye on whether ETC can hold the $8 support level. According to recent analysis by CoinJournal, falling below this level could lead to a drop toward $6.33.
What is the latest news about ETC?
Ethereum Classic is facing some market challenges and important changes in its ecosystem. Here’s the latest update:
- Price Nears $8, Facing Pressure (February 10, 2026) – ETC is under selling pressure, testing key support levels, with experts warning of early signs of a bear market.
- DAO Hack Funds Turned Into Security Endowment (January 29, 2026) – Unclaimed funds from the 2016 DAO hack, now worth $220 million, are being used to create a permanent security fund for Ethereum.
In-Depth Look
1. Price Nears $8, Facing Pressure (February 10, 2026)
Summary: On February 10, Ethereum Classic traded around $8.30, dropping nearly 3% during the day and over 12% for the week. This decline reflects a wider sell-off in the cryptocurrency market. Analysts from CryptoQuant pointed out that new investments into ETC have slowed down, meaning the sell-off isn’t being balanced by fresh money coming in—something often seen at the start of a bear market. Technical signals showed the Relative Strength Index (RSI) was in oversold territory, and there was a possible bullish crossover in the MACD indicator, which could hint at a short-term price bounce if the $8 support level holds.
What this means: In the short term, this is a negative sign for ETC because ongoing weakness and lack of new investment could push prices down further, possibly toward the next support level near $6.33. However, the oversold condition and increased trading volume might signal a fragile chance for a rebound if overall market sentiment improves. (CoinJournal)
2. DAO Hack Funds Turned Into Security Endowment (January 29, 2026)
Summary: Almost ten years after the 2016 DAO hack—which caused the split between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic—the unclaimed funds from that event are now being repurposed. TheDAO Security Fund will stake 69,420 ETH (about $206.6 million) to generate roughly $8 million annually. This money will support ongoing security efforts for the Ethereum ecosystem, including smart contract audits and infrastructure improvements.
What this means: This development is neutral to positive for Ethereum Classic’s long-term outlook. While the fund directly benefits Ethereum’s security, it also highlights the historical importance of the split that created ETC. It reinforces ETC’s identity as the original, unaltered blockchain that follows the principle “code is law.” (CoinMarketCap)
Conclusion
Ethereum Classic is currently facing short-term price challenges amid a cautious market, but long-term developments like the security fund emphasize its strong foundational values. The key question remains: will the community’s dedication to “code is law” and Proof-of-Work mining provide enough strength to get through this market downturn?
What is expected in the development of ETC?
Ethereum Classic’s development is guided by its community rather than a fixed plan.
- Olympia Upgrade (End of 2026) – Will add decentralized governance, burn transaction fees, and create an on-chain treasury.
- Adoption of Proven EVM Upgrades (Ongoing) – Carefully integrates tested improvements from other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks.
- Technical & Sovereignty Improvements (No Set Date) – Focuses on fixing compatibility issues and ensuring community control over core software.
In-Depth Look
1. Olympia Upgrade (End of 2026)
What it is: The Olympia Upgrade is a major update planned through four Ethereum Classic Improvement Proposals (ECIPs). It will activate EIP-1559, which burns part of the transaction fees, sends another part to a permanent on-chain treasury, and sets up a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) for community governance and funding (Ethereum Classic DAO). The goal is to launch this on the main network by the end of 2026 after community feedback and testing.
Why it matters: This upgrade is positive for Ethereum Classic (ETC) because it creates a sustainable funding model owned by the community and introduces deflationary mechanics by burning fees. However, the timeline is uncertain since decentralized projects often face delays, and the upgrade needs broad agreement to avoid splitting the network.
2. Adoption of Proven EVM Upgrades (Ongoing)
What it is: Ethereum Classic values security and stability. It stays fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), adopting new features—like Optimistic Rollups—only after they have been thoroughly tested and proven safe on other EVM-based blockchains (Future Classic).
Why it matters: This cautious approach reduces risks and keeps smart contracts reliable, which appeals to developers who prioritize security. On the downside, it may slow down Ethereum Classic’s ability to add the latest features, potentially limiting growth compared to faster-moving competitors.
3. Technical & Sovereignty Improvements (No Set Date)
What it is: The community is working on fixing backward compatibility issues to prevent smart contracts from breaking during upgrades. They also want to move core development tools to a community-controlled repository to maintain network sovereignty (Donald McIntyre). These improvements are important but don’t have a set timeline.
Why it matters: These efforts strengthen the network’s foundation and reinforce its decentralized nature, which is good for ETC’s long-term health. The challenge is that these technical tasks depend on volunteers and could take years to complete.
Conclusion
Ethereum Classic is focused on maintaining a secure, unchangeable Proof-of-Work network. The Olympia Upgrade is its most significant upcoming change, aiming to improve governance and economics. The big question is whether the community can reach consensus and deliver this upgrade on schedule.
What updates are there in the ETC code base?
Ethereum Classic is focusing on a major upcoming upgrade to improve how the network funds itself and is governed.
- Olympia Upgrade Proposal (End of 2026) – Plans to create a decentralized treasury and on-chain governance system funded by transaction fees.
- EVM Compatibility Maintenance (2022) – The Mystique upgrade was implemented to keep Ethereum Classic aligned with the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Deep Dive
1. Olympia Upgrade Proposal (End of 2026)
Overview: This upgrade aims to build a self-sustaining treasury for Ethereum Classic, managed by a decentralized community group called a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization). It’s a big step toward letting the network fund its own development without outside help.
The upgrade involves four Ethereum Classic Improvement Proposals (ECIPs). The key change activates EIP-1559, which adds a base fee to transactions. But instead of destroying (burning) this fee like Ethereum does, 80% of it will go into a permanent treasury contract. The other 20% still goes to miners as a tip. This treasury will be controlled by the "Olympia DAO," where ETC holders can propose and vote on how to spend funds on projects that benefit the ecosystem. The goal is to create a transparent, community-driven way to support ongoing development.
Why it matters: This is positive for Ethereum Classic because it offers a long-term, decentralized way to fund growth. It could speed up ecosystem development without relying on external grants. It also adds value to ETC by giving holders a say in governance and creating some deflationary pressure on the token. The upgrade is optional and won’t change how everyday transactions work.
2. EVM Compatibility Maintenance (2022)
Overview: The last network upgrade, called "Mystique," happened in February 2022. It was part of Ethereum Classic’s ongoing plan to stay compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which is the technology that runs smart contracts on Ethereum.
Mystique brought in changes from Ethereum’s "London" hard fork, including the important EIP-1559 fee system. For Ethereum Classic, this made transaction fees more predictable. Historically, ETC adopts Ethereum upgrades like Berlin, Istanbul, and Constantinople after a delay of 3 to 6 months to carefully review security. This cautious approach reflects ETC’s "Code is Law" philosophy, prioritizing security and immutability. It also helps developers easily move their applications between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic.
Why it matters: This is neutral news for ETC. It shows the network is sticking to its core strategy of being a secure, compatible smart contract platform. It focuses on stability rather than rapid innovation.
Conclusion
Ethereum Classic is evolving with careful, principle-driven updates. It continues to maintain important compatibility with Ethereum’s smart contract system while planning a major upgrade to create a community-funded governance and treasury model. The big question is whether the market will value ETC’s steady reliability alongside its ambitious plan for self-sustaining development.