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.

Nimiq is a censorship-resistant cryptocurrency that is designed to run in the user's browser. Nimiq's focus is on usability and the browser first approach allows coin holders to participate in their payment network more easily. Nimiq uses a Merkle-based accumulator to store accounts and balances, and has a Non-Interactive Proofs of Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism.