Ethereum Classic (ETC) is gaining momentum as a fast, secure, and cost-effective alternative to Ethereum, and now developers have a powerful new tool to accelerate decentralized application (DApp) innovation on the network. Second State has officially launched BUIDL IDE, a browser-based integrated development environment specifically designed for Ethereum Classic. This cutting-edge platform empowers developers to build, test, debug, and deploy smart contracts and DApps on ETC—within minutes and without installing any software.
With BUIDL IDE, the barriers to blockchain development are dramatically reduced. Whether you're a beginner exploring smart contracts or an experienced developer scaling DApp solutions, BUIDL streamlines the entire process through an intuitive, all-in-one interface accessible from any modern web browser.
Why Ethereum Classic Is Gaining Developer Attention
Ethereum Classic stands out as one of the most decentralized and secure public blockchains today. As a continuation of the original Ethereum chain following the 2016 DAO fork, ETC upholds the principle of "code is law" and maintains full immutability—making it highly trusted among developers who value network integrity.
More importantly, ETC is fully compatible with Ethereum (ETH), meaning tools, wallets, and smart contracts built for ETH can work seamlessly on ETC with minimal adjustments. However, ETC offers significant advantages:
- Faster transaction finality: Transactions are confirmed in seconds.
- Lower gas fees: Typically just 1% of Ethereum’s costs, making it ideal for high-frequency or micro-transaction applications.
- Proven security: Secured by a robust proof-of-work consensus mechanism with strong mining decentralization.
These benefits make Ethereum Classic an increasingly attractive option for developers looking to avoid Ethereum’s congestion and skyrocketing fees—especially during peak network usage.
The Challenge of DApp Development
Despite the growing potential of blockchain technology, developing decentralized applications remains a steep learning curve for many. Traditional DApp development requires mastering multiple components:
- Understanding cryptographic wallets like MetaMask
- Managing private keys and account security
- Connecting to RPC nodes
- Writing smart contracts in Solidity or Lity
- Debugging and deploying via command-line tools
- Building front-end interfaces that interact with Web3
For newcomers, setting up this entire environment can take 4 to 8 hours—a major deterrent to experimentation and rapid prototyping.
Even experienced developers face friction when launching new projects due to complex toolchains and dependency management. This complexity has slowed mainstream adoption of DApps across industries such as DeFi, gaming, NFTs, and supply chain tracking.
Introducing BUIDL IDE: A Game-Changer for ETC Developers
Second State’s BUIDL IDE eliminates these hurdles by offering a fully integrated, no-install development suite tailored for Ethereum Classic. Built entirely for the browser, BUIDL gives developers immediate access to everything needed for smart contract development:
- Code editor with syntax highlighting for Solidity and Lity
- Built-in compiler and debugger
- One-click deployment to the ETC testnet or mainnet
- Instant DApp publishing with shareable URLs
- Integrated account management and gas funding
Developers can now go from idea to live DApp in under 10 minutes—without downloading SDKs, configuring local nodes, or wrestling with environment variables.
How to Get Started with BUIDL IDE on ETC
Getting started is simple:
- Visit the ETC version of BUIDL IDE at https://buidl.secondstate.io/etc
- Navigate to the Accounts tab and fund your default address with a small amount of ETC (e.g., 0.1 ETC) for gas.
- Begin writing, testing, and deploying your smart contract directly in the browser.
- Publish your DApp with one click and share it globally.
No setup. No configuration. Just code and deploy.
Bob Summerwill, Executive Director of ETC Cooperative, praised the release:
“I’m thrilled to see Second State deliver BUIDL IDE for ETC. Ever since Ethereum Studio went offline years ago, there’s been a real gap in accessible development tools. BUIDL fills that need perfectly and lowers the entry barrier for new developers joining the ETC ecosystem.”
Expanding the ETC Developer Ecosystem
While Ethereum Classic has long offered technical advantages, its ecosystem has lagged behind due to a lack of modern developer tooling. By launching BUIDL IDE in collaboration with ETC Labs and ETC Cooperative, Second State is helping bridge that gap.
Elizabeth Kukka, Executive Director at ETC Labs, emphasized ETC’s unique position:
“ETC isn’t just the original Ethereum blockchain—it’s also the most DApp-friendly. With low gas fees, fast confirmations, and ETC as a store-of-value native asset, we’re excited to partner with Second State to strengthen the developer community.”
With BUIDL IDE now available, more developers are expected to explore use cases such as:
- Micro-payment platforms
- Decentralized identity systems
- Supply chain verification
- Tokenized assets
- Lightweight DeFi protocols
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is BUIDL IDE free to use?
A: Yes, BUIDL IDE is completely free. There are no subscription fees or hidden charges. You only pay standard gas fees when deploying contracts on the Ethereum Classic network.
Q: Do I need prior experience with Solidity to use BUIDL?
A: While knowledge of Solidity helps, BUIDL is beginner-friendly and includes templates and examples to help new developers learn quickly.
Q: Can I use BUIDL IDE for other blockchains besides ETC?
A: Currently, this version of BUIDL is optimized specifically for Ethereum Classic. However, Second State offers similar tools for other EVM-compatible chains.
Q: Where can I get ETC for testing?
A: You can acquire ETC through major cryptocurrency exchanges or request testnet tokens from community faucets. For mainnet deployment, purchase ETC from a trusted exchange.
Q: Is my code safe in a browser-based IDE?
A: Yes. All code remains in your browser session unless you choose to deploy it. No data is stored on servers without explicit action from the user.
Q: Does BUIDL support debugging tools?
A: Absolutely. BUIDL includes real-time error checking, stack tracing, and transaction simulation to help identify bugs before deployment.
About Second State
Second State is a leading developer of open-source blockchain infrastructure software. Focused on advancing smart contract platforms, the company builds tools like BUIDL IDE and high-performance runtime environments that simplify DApp creation and deployment.
Headquartered in Texas with development teams in Taipei, Beijing, and Sydney, Second State is committed to driving innovation in decentralized technologies. The company is a member of the ETC Labs accelerator program and has raised $3 million in funding led by SIG.
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With BUIDL IDE now live for Ethereum Classic, the door is wide open for a new wave of accessible, scalable, and affordable blockchain innovation.