Immutability — Ethereum Classic

What is Immutability?

Immutability in ETC refers to transaction finality in blockchain.

Do forks break Transaction Finality?

If a fork does not alter the store of a user’s value, then it does not break transaction finality.

Some assume immutability is an absolute value in ETC which is not true nor a universal truth. Absolute immutability requires absolute centralization to regiment anything otherwise. If you realize you’re about to step on a nail, then it’s okay to move your foot aside to not step on the nail. If there was a bug in the network, then it’s okay to have feature/ improvement fork as long as it doesn’t manipulate a user’s value on the network.

Do 51% attacks break transaction finality?

Only in the moment of the attack, but never beyond. Proof of Work has confirmations and confirmations are only as good as the current network security. PoW has anarchic consensus where miners can deviate [fork] or contribute far more than their peers [more network share, 51%]. A malicious 51% miner cannot print coins, cannot access your keys, and — really the only feasible attack is to double spend.

What’s the value proposition of immutability?

Transaction finality is a universal truth (common sense) for currency. If you send value to John for x goods, then the transfer of the value has to happen so John can exchange x for said value. — duh.