Ethereum Classic is the original protocol of Ethereum. As a result of the massive hack on the Ethereum-based DAO, in which around 14% of all ETH in circulation were stolen, a hard fork was proposed to return the stolen funds to their owners. This caused an ideological split revolving around the question of changing previous transactions in the blockchain. Some Ethereum holders rejected the hard fork, and decided to keep using the original protocol, based on the principle that the blockchain is immutable, and cannot be changed.

BurstCoin is a cryptocurrency with a Proof-of-Capacity (PoC) consensus algorithm. Unlike most other cryptocurrencies, Burst's architecture uses a Tangle (similar to IOTA) instead of relying on a blockchain. It also utilizes ring signatures and other features, in what is called the Dymaxion. The Dymaxion implements layers of tangle-based lightning networks on top of the Burst blockchain. Each of these payment channels is opened in the form of a standalone colored tangle. Burst is also developing atomic cross-chain transactions (ACCT), that will allow for full decentralized trading between two cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin Gold (BTG) is a cryptocurrency that began in 2017 as a hard fork of the Bitcoin blockchain. BTG was created to reduce the monopolizing power of dedicated ASIC mining operations within the original Bitcoin network. Bitcoin Gold mining can be done by anyone with a standard computer and provides greater decentralization to the system. The hard fork that created BTG was meant to combat the disproportionate influence and competitive advantage of professional miners.