What’s the difference between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic?

“What’s the difference between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic?” is the question dominating Google search as Ethereum Classic (ETC) suddenly jumps to unprecedented heights.

Ethereum Classic is not to be confused with Ethereum (ETH). They are similar, but they’re not the same. Ethereum Classic is an offshoot of Ethereum. Interestingly, Ethereum Classic was born out of a contentious 2016 debate after a malicious hacker stole $60 million worth of ether.