Ethereum Classic brings programmability to Proof-of-Work.

Use ETC across decentralized applications on Ethereum Classic. ETC can be transferred, traded, collateralized, and programmed in smart contracts powering exchanges, stablecoins, payments, lending, liquidity provision, automation, and other on-chain services — with ETC as the native asset for fees and settlement.

Ethereum Classic is secured by global miners running real hardware. By contributing hash power, miners validate blocks, secure transactions, and earn ETC through a transparent Proof-of-Work reward system.

Build and deploy EVM-compatible smart contracts on a decentralized execution layer designed for longevity. Ethereum Classic supports familiar EVM tooling while prioritizing stability, neutrality, and final settlement.

Individuals who use ETC within decentralized markets and smart-contract applications built on Ethereum Classic. Programmability enables financial primitives familiar to traditional markets — exchanges, lending, settlement, liquidity provision, and automated strategies — to operate on a global, public network. For users in regions with limited banking access, unstable currencies, or fragmented financial infrastructure, ETC-based systems provide access to stable digital currencies and scarce assets through protocol-enforced rules rather than intermediaries. This allows capital to move from higher-risk local systems into more predictable, globally accessible markets wherever an internet connection is available. For users in established economies, Ethereum Classic offers a low-friction, non-discretionary settlement layer that enables global value transfer without rent-seeking fees, custody risk, or unnecessary delay.

Proof-of-Work miners, hardware manufacturers, data centers, and energy operators who secure the network with real computation. Ethereum Classic enables the monetization of underutilized energy resources, including remote hydro, curtailed renewables, and off-grid generation, as well as the capture of wasted energy such as flared or vented methane. As a flexible, location-agnostic load, Proof-of-Work can absorb excess supply during periods of low demand and shut down during congestion, helping stabilize grids and support capacity expansion. This makes mining viable wherever power, hardware, and connectivity exist, allowing energy producers to convert idle or wasted capacity into productive, globally liquid output. Participation does not require long-term contracts or trusted counterparties, enabling operators to deploy capital incrementally and respond dynamically to energy, market, and regulatory conditions.

Engineers building applications, infrastructure, and services on Ethereum Classic across a wide range of scales, from individual developers to institutional teams. As the original EVM network, Ethereum Classic supports the most widely adopted smart-contract execution environment in the blockchain ecosystem, with mature tooling, libraries, standards, and extensive production history. This enables developers to deploy systems ranging from micro-transactions to high-value settlement while preserving the trust-minimization properties of Proof-of-Work that are difficult to replicate in validator-based systems. Ethereum Classic provides a stable base layer where long-lived software can be built, upgraded carefully, and integrated with broader EVM, Proof-of-Work, and traditional financial systems. Builders can operate hybrid architectures that combine centralized services at the application layer with decentralized settlement and execution at the protocol layer, without sacrificing auditability or finality.

Governments, financial institutions, and enterprises that require a neutral, globally accessible settlement layer for value transfer and asset issuance. Ethereum Classic functions as a public utility where capital can move worldwide at the cost of blockspace, settling transactions in roughly 13-second intervals and securing them with Proof-of-Work backed by substantial real-world computation. This enables organizations to reduce friction across jurisdictions, currencies, and operating hours, replacing fragmented financial rails with continuous global settlement. Enterprises can deploy centralized or decentralized applications that settle transparently on-chain, while institutions can issue digital assets, operate markets, or offload operational processing to a public blockchain without compromising auditability or control over their products. Because settlement occurs on a public, protocol-enforced ledger, organizations can integrate Ethereum Classic alongside existing systems while maintaining clear compliance boundaries and operational continuity.