Blockchain explorer and mining pool BTC.com has now added support for Ethereum Classic (ETC) as the Ethereum network switches from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS) with the Merge. The mining pool has launched the mining pool, BTC.com ETC Pool, with “zero-fee” mining for 3 months.
BTC.com Launches ETC Mining Pool Ahead of Merge
According to BTC.com’s Ethereum The Merge Countdown, the Merge is estimated to trigger at the TTD of 58,750,000,000,000,000,000,000 on September 15 at 04:44:47. The network hashrate is 891.96 TH/s. However, as per Ethereum Foundation’s suggested tracker, the estimated Merge date is September 14 at 22:49:47 UTC.
With Ethereum miners becoming obsolete after the Merge, BTC.com has expressed support for Ethereum Classic (ETC) mining. The mining pool has even launched BTC.com ETC Pool to have miners switch to Ethereum Classic after the Merge. Also, a “zero fee” ETC mining for 3 months has been launched to reward miners and users to support BTC.com.
Users can connect ETC hashrate to BTC.com ETC Pool directly to take advantage of zero mining fees until December 1. Moreover, the mining pool has also released a tutorial and configuration related to ETC mining.
Top mining pools including Ethermine and Antpool have also announced support for ETC mining and turned down Ethereum PoW. Antpool has even committed a $10 million investment to support Ethereum Classic. It also promised to continue investments and support ETC payments.
Ethereum Classic (ETC) Price Shows Strength
Ethereum Classic price is showing strength amid the market-wide selling pressure. ETC price is trading at $32.08, up nearly 1% in a day and 4% in a week. Moreover, the hashrate has jumped higher as miners seem to switch from Ethereum to Ethereum Classic.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, ETC Cooperative, and Digital Currency Group CEO Barry Silbert believe miners should switch to Ethereum Classic. They have also criticized the Ethereum hard fork plan by EthereumPoW.
The prices have turned volatile before the Merge as ETH issuance will significantly drop post-merge.
Varinder is a Technical Writer and Editor, Technology Enthusiast, and Analytical Thinker. Fascinated by Disruptive Technologies, he has shared his knowledge about Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things. He has been associated with the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry for a substantial period and is currently covering all the latest updates and developments in the crypto industry.
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