Ethereum Classic Price Prediction 2026, 2027, 2030, 2040: Will ETC Coin Reach $100?

If you’re curious about Ethereum Classic (ETC) price prediction, you’re not alone. Many investors are starting to look at ETC again after its recent price movement. In January 2026, the price of Ethereum Classic ranged from a monthly low of $11.3 to a monthly high of $13.5. Right now, it trades around $12.55, which marks a drop of nearly 10% from its peak this month.

This article will help you understand what Ethereum Classic is, how it works, and where its price might go in the future. Whether you’re just getting started or thinking of adding ETC to your portfolio, we’ll walk you through the basics. We’ll also explore expert ETC price predictions, technical analysis, and long-term forecasts for 2026, 2027, 2030, and beyond. If you’re wondering whether ETC can reach $100 or even more—read on.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) Overview

Ethereum Classic is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform. It was created in July 2016 as a result of a split from the original Ethereum blockchain. This split, known as a hard fork, happened after a major hack on a project called The DAO. Hackers stole over $50 million worth of ETH, and the Ethereum community had to decide how to respond.

Most developers and users supported rolling back the blockchain to return the stolen funds. However, a smaller group believed in the principle that “code is law.” They refused to change the chain’s history. This group continued running the original chain, which became known as Ethereum Classic.

Ethereum Classic shares the same early codebase as Ethereum, but the two have followed different paths since the split. ETC kept the immutability principle, meaning no transaction can ever be reversed or altered. This is one of its core values and what makes ETC unique.

The native token of Ethereum Classic is ETC. It is used to pay for gas fees, reward miners, and support smart contract operations. Like Ethereum, Ethereum Classic allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) on its blockchain. These apps are powered by smart contracts that run automatically based on rules written in code.

ETC runs on a Proof-of-Work system, which means that miners use computing power to validate transactions and secure the network. This is the same model Bitcoin uses. While Ethereum has moved to Proof-of-Stake, Ethereum Classic has committed to staying with PoW, making it one of the last major chains to do so.

Over the years, Ethereum Classic has faced security challenges, including 51% attacks, where attackers gained temporary control of the network. However, since 2021, upgrades and better mining security have helped stabilize the project.

Ethereum Classic is managed by an open community. Several independent developer teams contribute to its code and future upgrades. Some of the known contributors include ETC Cooperative and ETC Core.

Today, Ethereum Classic positions itself as a secure, decentralized, and censorship-resistant blockchain. While it may not be as popular as Ethereum, it has remained true to its original mission of immutability and decentralization.

Ethereum Classic Features

Ethereum Classic offers many of the same features as the original Ethereum network, but with its own unique approach. At the core, ETC is a smart contract platform. It lets developers create decentralized applications (dApps) that run on a blockchain without central control. Once a contract is deployed on the Ethereum Classic network, it runs exactly as programmed and cannot be changed.

One of the most important features of Ethereum Classic is its commitment to immutability. This means that once data is written to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted. ETC believes this principle is key to building trust in decentralized systems.

Another major feature is its Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism. ETC uses mining to validate transactions and secure the network. This makes it more similar to Bitcoin than Ethereum, which moved to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) in 2022. Many in the ETC community believe that PoW provides greater security and decentralization.

Ethereum Classic has a limited supply of tokens. The total supply of ETC is capped at 210 million coins, making it more like Bitcoin, which also has a hard cap. This fixed supply may appeal to investors who worry about inflation from unlimited token minting.

ETC also supports EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatibility. That means developers can easily migrate apps from Ethereum to Ethereum Classic. Most tools and programming languages used on Ethereum also work on ETC. This ensures developers can work with familiar tools like Solidity.

Security is a top priority for the ETC network. After a series of 51% attacks in 2020, the network implemented several upgrades. These include MESS (Modified Exponential Subjective Scoring), which makes such attacks more costly and harder to carry out.

In terms of governance, Ethereum Classic is managed by its community. There’s no central authority. Several independent teams, such as ETC Core and IOHK, help maintain the network. Decisions are made through open discussions and proposals.

How Is Ethereum Classic Different from Ethereum?

While both platforms started from the same code, they now follow separate paths. Ethereum has chosen speed, scalability, and innovation. Ethereum Classic has chosen stability, decentralization, and immutability. Ethereum now uses Proof-of-Stake. Ethereum Classic stays with Proof-of-Work. Ethereum allows reversing transactions in rare cases. ETC never does.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) Price History Highlights

• Ethereum Classic entered the crypto market in June 2016. Back then, it traded for just $0.98. The coin’s price was low, but interest slowly started to grow.
• In 2017, ETC saw big gains. In March, the price jumped by 130% to hit $3.15. By November, it surged again—this time by 145%, reaching $32. ETC kept rising and eventually hit $42, setting a strong new high.
• The bull market ended in 2018. In January, ETC reached its all-time high at the time: $47. But soon after, it dropped to $28, and by the end of the year, it was down to just $4. The bear market hit Ethereum Classic hard.
• In 2019, the price stabilized. Between February and May, ETC slowly climbed and reached $9 by June. It wasn’t a massive spike, but it showed that the project was still alive and active.
• 2020 started strong. In January, ETC gained 157% and hit $12. In February, it rose a bit more to $13. For the rest of the year, it traded between $3 and $7, with lots of short-term ups and downs.
• Then came 2021, one of the best years in crypto. ETC began at around $5, and by January, it reached $9. The real boom came in May when Ethereum Classic hit its all-time high of $176.16. This was during the peak of a massive bull run across the market.
• 2022 brought a correction. ETC traded between $13 and $49 for most of the year. Investors were cautious, and the excitement faded.
• In 2023, bulls tried to push the price up again in April, aiming to break the $23 resistance. But they failed. The price was rejected multiple times at that level between December and January.
• In 2024, ETC had a short rally. In March, it climbed to $37.22, but it couldn’t hold that level. By December, it touched $38, showing some signs of recovery.
• So far in 2025, Ethereum Classic started at $29, then dropped hard to $14 in April. Then, the price has gone up again, in July, it hit a local high of $25. By the end of the year, the price had dropped significantly, to around $12.
• 2026 began with a rise from a low of $11.3 to $13.5, representing an increase of about 20%.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) Price Chart

CoinGecko, January 16, 2026

Ethereum Classic Price Prediction: 2026, 2027, 2030–2050

Ethereum Classic Price Prediction 2026

DigitalCoinPrice expects ETC to enter a gradual recovery phase in 2026. Their forecast places Ethereum Classic between $14.28 (+13%) and $16.22 (+30%), suggesting moderate upside as market conditions improve.

PricePrediction.net is more optimistic. Their models project a range between $17.16 (+35%) and $21.36 (+70%), assuming stronger capital inflows and renewed interest in legacy PoW chains.

Telegaon’s 2026 outlook is extremely bullish. They forecast ETC between $69.71 (+450%) and $163.48 (+1,200%), reflecting expectations of a strong speculative cycle and renewed attention to proof-of-work assets.

Ethereum Classic Price Prediction 2027

DigitalCoinPrice sees continued growth in 2027, with ETC ranging from $17 (+35%) to $19.74 (+55%).

PricePrediction.net expects a much stronger move. Their 2027 projection places Ethereum Classic between $25.54 (+100%) and $30.13 (+140%), suggesting ETC could clearly outperform the broader market.

Telegaon remains bullish, estimating a 2027 range of $165.53 (+1,200%) to $187.08 (+1,400%), assuming a full bull-market environment.

Ethereum Classic Price Prediction 2030

By 2030, DigitalCoinPrice expects ETC to trade between $35.99 (+185%) and $41.39 (+230%), reflecting long-term but relatively moderate growth.

PricePrediction.net is far more aggressive. Their 2030 forecast places ETC between $84.64 (+570%) and $100.58 (+700%), assuming Ethereum Classic survives multiple cycles and keeps a niche role in the PoW ecosystem.

Telegaon’s 2030 outlook is even more bullish, projecting a range between $266.15 (+2,000%) and $315.63 (+2,400%).

Ethereum Classic Price Prediction 2040

PricePrediction.net’s 2040 long-term model is extremely optimistic. They project ETC between $9,021 (+71,500%) and $11,510 (+91,000%), assuming Ethereum Classic becomes a major legacy settlement layer and benefits from long-term scarcity narratives.

Telegaon’s 2040 forecast is far more conservative, but still very strong, placing ETC between $513.32 (+4,000%) and $546.89 (+4,250%).

Ethereum Classic Price Prediction 2050

Looking further ahead, PricePrediction.net estimates that ETC could trade between $13,420 (+106,000%) and $15,584 (+123,500%) by 2050, assuming extreme long-term survival and relevance.

Telegaon’s 2050 model suggests a lower but still massive range, with ETC between $1,162.51 (+9,100%) and $1,531.38 (+12,000%), reflecting a more conservative adoption curve.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) Price Prediction: What Do Experts Say?

Experts see 2026 as a key year for Ethereum Classic. Most agree on one point. The market needs a clear trend first. Coinpedia offers one of the freshest views. The firm expects ETC to trade between $30 and $80 in 2026. It sets an average target near $45. Coinpedia calls 2026 a recovery year. Much depends on the wider crypto cycle.

Their analysts describe two simple paths. In a positive case, ETC holds above $30. That move could push price toward $42 to $50. Volume would need to rise. In a weak case, price fails to hold support. Then ETC could drift near $8 to $10. On-chain data supports a calm phase. Activity looks stable. It does not show hype. This pattern often points to accumulation, not distribution.

99 Bitcoins shares a more cautious view. The team expects an average price near $33 in 2026. They see a range from $20 to $45. Their report notes a strong base between $10 and $15. This zone acts as a long-term floor. For real momentum, buyers must break $40. That level remains the main barrier.

They also highlight important upgrades. The Olympia update in 2025 added fee burning and better governance. These changes improve the network’s appeal. They also support a long-term story. If ETC clears $40 and holds it, 99 Bitcoins sees a path to $80. In a strong cycle, price could even challenge the old $178 high from 2021.

Community voices sound even more optimistic. On Reddit, long-term holders often point to the ETC to ETH ratio. Some believe ETC can pass $100 if history repeats. Others expect a new record near $260 in a full altcoin season. These views carry more risk. Still, they show growing confidence.

In summary, experts agree on one thing. 2026 looks like a turning point. The downside stays limited if support holds. The upside depends on a market-wide rally. For investors, ETC now sits in a phase of patience and quiet buildup.

ETC USDT Price Technical Analysis 

This technical analysis uses monthly data from Investing.com, which gives a clear long-term view of the ETC/USDT trend. Right now, the picture stays very weak. The overall summary shows a Strong Sell signal. Both major groups, indicators and moving averages, point in the same direction.

Investing, January 16, 2026

Let’s start with momentum. The RSI stands near 41. This level shows weak demand and no real buying pressure. The MACD also stays deep below zero. This confirms that the downtrend still controls the market. The ADX remains low, which means the trend is not strong, yet it still points down. The Ultimate Oscillator and ROC also print sell signals. Together, they show that sellers still dominate.

Some indicators already show stress. The Stochastic RSI and Williams %R sit in oversold zones. This often appears near local bottoms. However, oversold does not mean a reversal. It only means that selling pressure has gone too far in a short time. The CCI and Bull/Bear Power also stay negative. This confirms that buyers do not control the market yet.

Now look at moving averages. Here the signal is even clearer. 11 out of 12 averages show a sell. Price stays below the 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100-period averages. This means the short, medium, and long trends all point down. Only the simple 200-period average gives a buy signal. However, the exponential 200-period average still shows a sell. So, the long-term structure remains weak.

Pivot points help define key levels. The main pivot sits near 12.37. This level acts as the first important barrier. Below it, supports appear near 10.42 and 9.36. If price breaks lower, the next zone sits near 7.40. On the upside, resistance starts near 13.43 and then near 15.38.

Volatility stays limited, based on ATR. This means the market moves slowly, but in a steady direction. Right now, that direction stays down.

In summary, ETC/USDT remains in a clear bearish structure on the monthly chart. Oversold signals may bring short bounces. However, the trend still favors sellers. Buyers need a break above key moving averages to change this picture. Until then, caution stays the best strategy.

Ethereum Classic (ETC) Price Prediction: Questions and Answers

Is Ethereum Classic a Good Investment?

Ethereum Classic can be a good investment for those who value decentralization and immutability. It has a fixed supply and strong community support. However, it’s more volatile than larger coins like Bitcoin or Ethereum, so it’s better suited for long-term holders who understand the risks.

Will Ethereum Classic Have a Future?

Yes, Ethereum Classic likely has a future as a secure, Proof-of-Work blockchain. It continues to attract developers and miners after Ethereum moved to Proof-of-Stake. Its commitment to decentralization and code integrity gives it a unique position in the crypto space, though growth may be slower than Ethereum’s.

Why Is ETC So Cheap?

ETC is cheaper because it has lower adoption, less developer activity, and faces security concerns. Ethereum has more users and applications. However, ETC has a capped supply and strong core values, which some investors believe could drive its price higher over time if demand increases.

What Is the All-Time High for Ethereum Classic?

The all-time high for Ethereum Classic is $176.16, reached in May 2021. This price spike happened during a massive crypto bull run. Since then, the price has dropped significantly, but some investors hope it can return to those levels during future market rallies.

Will Ethereum Classic Reach $100?

Ethereum Classic could reach $100 again, but it depends on market conditions, adoption, and investor confidence. If Ethereum rises to new highs and ETC gains more users or developer interest, $100 is possible. Still, it would require strong momentum and broad support from the crypto community.

Can ETC Reach $1,000?

Reaching $1,000 would require a massive market cap and major adoption. While not impossible, it’s unlikely in the near term without a major shift in how Ethereum Classic is used or perceived. It would need huge growth in user base, utility, and developer interest.

Will ETC Reach $5,000?

ETC hitting $5,000 is extremely ambitious. It would need to outperform most of the crypto market, including Ethereum. Such a price would require widespread institutional adoption, a strong use case, and significant global interest. Right now, there’s little evidence supporting that kind of future growth.

Can Ethereum Classic Reach $10K?

A $10,000 price tag for ETC is highly unrealistic based on current trends. The network lacks the innovation and adoption needed for such growth. While anything is technically possible in crypto, this would require a market cap in the trillions, which ETC has never approached.

Can ETC Reach 20K?

It’s not practical to expect ETC to reach $20,000. That would place it far above Ethereum’s current value, which doesn’t align with ETC’s development activity or market demand. Long-term holders should focus on more achievable targets, like $50 or $100, depending on market cycles.

Will Ethereum Classic Hit $50,000?

No credible forecast suggests that ETC could reach $50,000. That would imply it becoming the most valuable cryptocurrency on the market, which contradicts its current position. While ETC has strong principles, it lacks the market influence to hit such a massive price level.

Will ETC Hit $100,000?

Reaching $100,000 is beyond any realistic scenario for Ethereum Classic. That price would require a level of adoption and market dominance that ETC has never approached. It’s a speculative dream, not a forecast supported by technicals, fundamentals, or current growth trends.

Will $ETC Go Up Again?

Yes, Ethereum Classic can go up again. Like most cryptocurrencies, it moves in cycles. If the broader market turns bullish and demand increases, ETC is likely to rise. Price gains depend on momentum, volume, and positive news. It’s important to monitor key resistance levels and investor interest.

How High Can ETC Go?

Realistically, ETC could return to $50–$100 in a strong bull market. Some long-term forecasts even suggest $150 or more over several years. However, breaking past its all-time high of $176.16 would require sustained market interest, stronger fundamentals, and a broader narrative driving growth.

How High Will ETC Go in 2026?

In 2026, some forecasts place ETC around $15 to $20, while more optimistic models point toward $40–$160. Price depends on Bitcoin’s performance, general crypto trends, and whether Ethereum Classic gains any new traction among developers or investors.

How Much Is Ethereum Classic Worth in 2030?

Long-term projections suggest ETC could reach $50 or more by 2030. This depends on adoption, market trends, and its ability to remain relevant. If Ethereum Classic continues to be a trusted PoW alternative, its price could slowly grow over time, especially in bullish market cycles.

How High Can Ethereum Classic Go in 2040?

By 2040, some optimistic forecasts suggest Ethereum Classic could trade between $100 and $200. These projections rely on sustained market adoption and increased demand for decentralized, immutable blockchains. However, reaching these levels would still require strong investor confidence and long-term utility.

What Is the ETC Price in 2050?

Estimates for 2050 vary widely. Conservative models place ETC around $150–$250, while bolder predictions suggest it could approach $300 or more. These long-term forecasts are highly speculative and depend on future use cases, market cycles, and the broader adoption of blockchain technology.

Ethereum vs Ethereum Classic: Is It Better to Buy ETH or ETC?

Ethereum (ETH) has more developer support, innovation, and real-world usage. It powers the majority of DeFi and NFTs. Ethereum Classic (ETC) focuses on immutability and Proof-of-Work. ETH is more popular and widely adopted, while ETC may appeal to those who prefer decentralization and code integrity.

Where to Buy Ethereum Classic?

StealthEX is here to help you buy ETC coin if you’re looking for a way to invest in this cryptocurrency. You can buy Ethereum Classic privately and without the need to sign up for the service. StealthEX crypto collection has more than 2,000 different coins and you can do wallet-to-wallet transfers instantly and problem-free.

How to Buy ETC Crypto: Quick-Step Guide

Just go to StealthEX and follow these easy steps:

• Choose the pair and the amount you want to exchange — for instance, ETH to ETC. 
• Press the “Start exchange” button.
• Provide the recipient address to transfer your crypto to.
• Process the transaction.
• Receive your crypto coins.

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Don’t forget to do your own research before buying any crypto. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Tags: crypto price prediction ETC Ethereum classic price analysis price prediction