What happened
CryptocurrencyEthereum Classic (ETC 4.16%) is having a week to write home about. According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum Classic is up 72% over the past seven days, and it's likely because of upcoming changes to Ethereum (more on that in a moment).
Interestingly,Bitcoin Gold (BTG 0.05%) is also up big over the past seven days: 47% as of this writing.But this Bitcoin alternative doesn't have a clear catalyst like Ethereum Classic.
This week's outsize moves from Ethereum Classic and Bitcoin Gold are interesting considering they're both hard forks -- of Ethereum and Bitcoin, respectively.
Cryptocurrencies are decentralized. Private, independent parties volunteer their computers for the blockchain network. However, if developers tweak the code, miners or validators could choose to keep using the old code and no one could stop them -- a fork. Moreover, developers could tweak things in different directions, leaving parties to decide which blockchain to use.
Ethereum is getting closer to completely changing from a proof-of-work blockchain to a proof-of-stake blockchain, which greatly alters the network's incentive structure. Miners won't be able to operate as they have in the past. And for this reason, there's speculation that miners will jump over to Ethereum Classic instead, which could explain why it has been gaining so much recently.
As for Bitcoin Gold, I'm not sure why it's suddenly gaining momentum. According to CoinMarketCap, trading volume is up over 1,200% in just the past 24 hours. It could be that traders are looking for forks of popular cryptocurrencies, considering Ethereum Classic is a fork and performing well. But that's just speculation on my part.
Whether investing in stocks or cryptocurrencies, I recommend always looking for fundamental reasons to be bullish. Therefore, I'd be leery of getting too excited about Bitcoin Gold today, considering there doesn't appear to be a fundamental driver to its performance.
But Ethereum Classic is a different story. If Ethereum miners truly do jump ship and switch blockchains, that would theoretically make Ethereum Classic more stable and secure, which could help boost its long-term adoption. But this driver will remain fairly speculative until Ethereum's actual merge, which likely won't occur before September.
Jon Quast has positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Excerpt from:
Ethereum Classic Soars Over 70% This Week, and This Other Cryptocurrency Is Close Behind - The Motley Fool
- Cryptocurrency News Round-Up: Bitcoin in Space & MtGox 2.0 [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- This week in bitcoin: Visualizing cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- PotCoin cryptocurrency aiming to aid Colorados cash-only pot shops [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Crypto()Currency - CryptoCurrency.org [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- As Bitcoin Soars in Value, Alternative Cryptocurrencies ... [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bitcoin vs. Political Power: The Cryptocurrency Revolution - Stefan Molyneux at TNW Conference - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- TNW - Stefan Molyneux - Money, Power and Politics The Cryptocurrency Revolution - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bit coin and Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Atencoin is the First AML Compliant CryptoCurrency - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- How to Set Up a Ripple (CryptoCurrency) Generating System! - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency - An Extensive FAQ - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- --- The Great Debate --- Bitcoin vs Altcoin @ The CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bryce Weiner @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Popularcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Joshua Nold - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- TimeKoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Michael Brown - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Infinitecoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Loring Small - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bitcoin Exchange CryptoRush Loses Millions of BlackCoin Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Brock Pierce, Entrepreneur "FireSide Chat" @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC - 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Dogecoin Founder Speaks on the Future of Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe 3 Captured by Shark Men (1940) - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- [OFFICIAL SPONSOR] Nick Spanos, Bitcoin Center NYC @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- AuroraCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - David Lio - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Florincoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Joe Fiscella - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- DigiByte @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Jared Tate - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Digitalcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Andrew Davidson - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- PotCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Nick Iversen - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- ZenithCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Eddie Corral - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- BitAngels Co-Founder, David Johnson @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- New York to Regulate Bitcoin: Is the Cryptocurrency Biz Like the Wild West? - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Australian dogecoin founder speaks on the future of cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- How to Buy Bitcoins BTC Litecoins LTC Quarks QRK Cryptocurrency Altcoins - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Coinnext Cryptocurrency Exchange Coming Soon - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency News Round-Up: MtGox Hearing Begins as Bitcoin gets Bloomberg Endorsement [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- mTrader.org - Cryptocurrency Mining System - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Ripple XRP Decentralized CryptoCurrency Bitcoin Exchange Open-Sourced BlockChain - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency News Round-Up: Transparent Exchange & Bitcoin Banks [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Crash Course with Andreas Antonopoulos - Jefferson Club Dinner Meet - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- MAX KEISER & ALEX JONES talks about BITCOIN - Is Cryptocurrency the FUTURE? - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency - cryptobars commodity Launch! - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Coin Pursuit Launches SliceFeeds Interactive Cryptocurrency Network [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- CS 171 Final Project: Cryptocurrency Visualizations - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- The Mises View: "Taxing Cryptocurrency" | Jeff Deist - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Explained The Tech Guy 1046 - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Such Dogecoin. Much Validity. How one altcoin may have turned into cryptocurrencys best marketing tool [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency | Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- Know How 74 Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- MIT undergrads will each receive $100 in bitcoin [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2014]
- Bitcoin wins US election panel's approval for political donations [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency of the World Unite! - Video [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2014]
- The Bitcoin Stats Show - Ep 6: 16th April 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2014]
- Bitcoin vs. Political Power: The Cryptocurrency Revolution Stefan Molyneux at TNW Conferen - Video [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2014]
- AMD cuts Radeon R9 280 price as inflation woes die down [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
- BBT Presents: Ode to Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Certification Consortium - Video [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
- Scryptify Cryptocurrency Video - Crypto Currency Exchanges - Video [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
- Bitpagar Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- How to Mine Cryptocurrency Safely - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Bunnycoin - Innovative New Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Cubieboard 1 2 Mining Peercoins SHA256 based Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Megacoin Teaser Video New CryptoCurrency Bitcoin Best AltCoin 2014 Anonymous Zerocoin - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Jan Irvin on Learning, Statism, Culture, Cryptocurrency and Voluntarism -- Potent News Podcast #1 - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Nxt cryptocurrency platform: Proof of Stake mining system - Video [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2014]
- Givecoin.info Announces Partnership with Do A Bit of Good: World's First Charitable Mining Screensaver [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency: Get Mining! - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Violincoin - The first cryptocurrency for musician - - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Trollcoin - The Fun Cryptocurrency! - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store (Spanish/Espagnol) - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- How To Trade CryptoCurrency: Sign up to a safe and reliable exchange for trading CryptoCurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- UT students to launch cryptocurrency exchange [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency and Nonprofits with Eric Nakagawa - Video [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store - Video [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2014]
- Videoconferencia Cryptocurrency 201243946 - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- VideoCharla Jesus Ramos Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Round-Up: Bitcoin Pioneer Dies and Digital Currency's Status in Australia [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Bleutrade Cryptocurrency Exchange Review - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Bitcoin enthusiasts discuss the cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Make Fast 1.0 up to 10.00 BTC or Any Cryptocurrency REAL CASH - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Halcyon cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]