Ethereum Classic (ETC) successfully executed its "Agharta" hard fork on January 12 at block height 9,573,000, marking another step toward compatibility with Ethereum. The upgrade, confirmed by blockchain explorer Etcnodes, follows 2019’s Atlantis hard fork and further aligns ETC’s protocol with Ethereum’s ecosystem.
Key Details of the Agharta Upgrade
- Purpose: Boost cross-chain interoperability between Ethereum Classic and Ethereum.
- Node Compliance: Over 57% of nodes updated by the deadline, with 42% still pending.
- Non-Contentious: Framed as a routine protocol update, not a community-divisive fork.
ETC Labs CEO Terry Culver emphasized: "Compatibility accelerates ecosystem growth for Ethereum Classic."
Post-Fork: A Push for Coexistence
Born from Ethereum’s 2016 DAO hack split, ETC has long prioritized technical reconciliation with Ethereum. The Atlantis (2019) and Agharta upgrades are strategic moves to:
- Strengthen developer tools.
- Encourage dApp migration.
- Foster shared infrastructure.
Node Operator Updates
ETC’s network relies on four main clients:
| Client | Updated Nodes | Status |
|----------------|---------------|----------------------|
| Parity Ethereum| 167 | Active |
| Multi-Geth | 77 | Active |
| Geth Classic | 17 | Deprecated |
| Besu | 2 | Active |
Bob Summerwill (ETC Cooperative):
"Geth Classic is unsupported now—most operators are migrating."
Afri Schoedon (Parity Ethereum):
"Legacy nodes with poor maintenance naturally drop post-upgrade."
Market Response
- Price Surge: ETC rose 12.5% weekly to $5.47 (pre-fork).
- Ranking: #20 by market cap, hitting a 4-month high.
👉 Track real-time ETC price trends
FAQ Section
1. Why did Ethereum Classic hard fork?
To sync with Ethereum’s upgrades, improving smart contract portability and developer incentives.
2. Is Agharta a contentious split?
No—it’s a planned technical upgrade with broad community support.
3. Which nodes are affected?
Geth Classic users must switch to active clients like Parity or Multi-Geth.
4. How does Agharta benefit ETC?
By attracting Ethereum developers and enhancing DeFi/DeFi tool compatibility.
5. What’s next for Ethereum Classic?
Focus on adoption tools and cross-chain bridges to Ethereum.
Further Reading
- Binance Research: DeFi’s Role in Ethereum’s Growth
- 2019 Public Chain Rankings: Top Performers Analyzed
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