Einsteinium (EMC2) is a cryptocurrency launched in March 2014, named after Albert Einstein to honour his contributions to science.[reference:0][reference:1] It is a community-driven project designed to leverage blockchain technology to raise capital for scientific research.[reference:2] Unlike purely speculative cryptocurrencies, EMC2 integrates a charitable funding model directly into its protocol.
The project's mission is accomplished through a mining tax: a compulsory 2.5% donation from each mined block is sent to the Einsteinium Foundation's fund.[reference:5] The community then votes on which scientific projects to fund. To date, the Foundation has reportedly contributed 16 million EMC2 coins to various science projects.[reference:9]
The Einsteinium Foundation is registered as a Non-Profit Organization in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, providing a level of institutional accountability that is rare among small-cap cryptocurrency projects.[reference:10] This structure distinguishes EMC2 from many unregistered community tokens operating without formal governance frameworks.[reference:11]
EMC2 is not just a cryptocurrency — it is a Decentralized Science (DeSci) project that uses blockchain to create a sustainable, transparent funding mechanism for research.[reference:12] Its value proposition is tied to both its utility as a digital currency and its mission to advance scientific progress.
EMC2 is built on a fork of Bitcoin and shares many of its foundational principles, but with several key modifications.[reference:13]
EMC2 uses a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism, similar to Bitcoin, where miners validate transactions and secure the network through computational power.[reference:14][reference:15] It employs the Scrypt hashing algorithm, which is also used by Litecoin, making it mineable with ASICs or CPUs/GPUs.[reference:16][reference:17]
EMC2's combination of a fast 60-second block time and a Scrypt mining algorithm makes it more accessible to individual miners than Bitcoin, while the built-in funding mechanism creates a continuous revenue stream for scientific research.
Understanding the supply dynamics of EMC2 is essential for evaluating its potential value and scarcity.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Supply | 245,465,283 EMC2[reference:30] | Hard cap, though some sources cite 299,792,458[reference:31] |
| Circulating Supply | ~223.6 million EMC2[reference:32] | Approximately 91% of max supply already in circulation |
| Total Supply | ~226.9 million EMC2 | Varies slightly across data sources |
| Market Cap | ~$60,000 – $70,000[reference:36] | Very low-cap, high-risk asset |
| 24h Trading Volume | ~$0.13 – $7[reference:38] | Extremely low liquidity |
| All-Time High | $2.88 – $3.34[reference:40][reference:41] | Price has declined significantly since ATH |
| Current Price | ~$0.0003[reference:42] | Subject to rapid change; verify live data |
⚠️ Market data is highly volatile and may vary across sources. Always verify current prices, market cap, and supply figures using reputable platforms like CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap before making any decisions.
The tokenomics of EMC2 are designed to balance funding sustainability with long-term supply discipline. The deflationary halving mechanism provides programmatic scarcity over time.[reference:44]
Evaluating a low-cap cryptocurrency like EMC2 requires a multi-faceted approach. Consider the following dimensions:
EMC2 is a niche, low-cap cryptocurrency with a unique mission. Its value is speculative and tied to the success of its scientific funding model. It is not suitable for risk-averse investors or those seeking high liquidity.
As of 2026, EMC2 trades as a low-cap altcoin with liquidity concentrated on a small number of exchanges.[reference:56]
EMC2 can be traded on several exchanges, including:
Note: EMC2 is not officially listed on KuCoin as of 2026.[reference:61]
Due to its low market cap and trading volume, EMC2 faces significant liquidity challenges:
If you are considering trading EMC2, be aware that exiting a position may be difficult without significantly moving the price. Always check the order book depth before placing an order.
Security is a critical concern when dealing with any cryptocurrency, but especially with low-cap coins like EMC2.
EMC2 supports official wallets for Windows, Mac, and Android.[reference:66] Users should always download wallets from the official Einsteinium website or trusted sources to avoid malware and phishing attempts.
Never share your private keys or seed phrases with anyone. Be cautious of phishing attempts, fake wallet downloads, and social media scams impersonating the Einsteinium project.
| Feature | EMC2 (Einsteinium) | Bitcoin (BTC) | Ethereum (ETH) | Litecoin (LTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2014[reference:69] | 2009 | 2015 | 2011 |
| Consensus | PoW (Scrypt)[reference:70] | PoW (SHA-256) | PoS | PoW (Scrypt) |
| Block Time | 60 seconds | ~10 minutes | ~12 seconds | ~2.5 minutes |
| Max Supply | ~245M | 21M | Unlimited | 84M |
| Unique Feature | 2.5% mining tax for science funding | Store of value | Smart contracts | Faster Bitcoin |
| Market Cap | ~$60k – $70k[reference:74] | ~$1T+ | ~$300B+ | ~$5B+ |
| Liquidity | Very low[reference:76] | Very high | Very high | Moderate |
⚠️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. Market data is subject to change. Always verify current figures before making any decisions.
The user: Dr. Sarah, a research scientist, believes in the mission of funding science through blockchain. She wants to acquire EMC2 both as a supporter of the project and as a speculative investment.
Her approach:
Outcome: Dr. Sarah supports a cause she believes in while taking a calculated risk. She understands that the price could go to zero but is comfortable with that possibility given her small allocation.
🔍 Key insight: This scenario highlights the importance of research, risk management, and security when dealing with low-cap cryptocurrencies. Dr. Sarah's disciplined approach minimises her downside while allowing her to participate in the project's mission.
EMC2 is a high-risk, low-cap asset. Never allocate funds you cannot afford to lose entirely.
Failing to check order book depth can result in significant slippage when buying or selling.
Exchanges can be hacked or become insolvent. Always withdraw your EMC2 to a private wallet.
Be cautious of fake wallet downloads, phishing emails, and social media impersonators.
Many investors buy without understanding the tokenomics, governance, or technical fundamentals.
Other DeSci projects may offer similar or superior value propositions. Understand EMC2's unique position.
EMC2 is a high-risk cryptocurrency. It has a very low market cap, extremely low trading volume, and is considered highly speculative.[reference:77] The price is volatile and can drop significantly or go to zero.
Liquidity is a major concern. Exiting a position may be difficult without moving the price against you. Order book depth is limited, and traders should anticipate meaningful slippage.[reference:78]
The project may not achieve its mission. While the Einsteinium Foundation has funded some projects, there is no guarantee of continued funding or project success.[reference:79]
Regulatory risks exist. As with all cryptocurrencies, changes in regulations could impact EMC2's availability and value.
This guide is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. You are solely responsible for your decisions. Always conduct your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any investment.
If you are considering investing in EMC2, start with a very small amount, use limit orders to control slippage, and store your coins securely in a private wallet. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
EMC2, also known as Einsteinium, is a community-driven cryptocurrency launched in 2014 that funds scientific research through a built-in 2.5% mining tax.[reference:81] It is a fork of Bitcoin that uses the Scrypt algorithm.[reference:82]
EMC2 uses a protocol-enforced mining tax: 2.5% of each block reward is automatically sent to the Einsteinium Foundation.[reference:83] Of this, 0.5% supports marketing and donations, and 2% directly funds scientific research grants.[reference:84] The community votes on which projects receive funding.
EMC2 is a high-risk, speculative asset with a very low market cap and low liquidity.[reference:86] It may appeal to those who believe in its mission of funding science, but it is not suitable for risk-averse investors or those seeking stability. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
EMC2 can be traded on exchanges including Bittrex, Poloniex, HitBTC, and Bitget.[reference:87][reference:88] It is not listed on KuCoin as of 2026.[reference:89] Always check the official Einsteinium website for the most up-to-date exchange information.
The maximum supply of EMC2 is 245,465,283 tokens.[reference:91] The circulating supply is approximately 223.6 million.[reference:92] Some sources reference a max supply of 299,792,458, tied to the speed of light.[reference:94]
The Einsteinium Foundation is a registered non-profit organization based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[reference:95] It manages the charitable and research funds generated by the mining tax, operates transparently with on-chain wallet addresses, and oversees the grant selection process through community governance.[reference:96]
Yes, EMC2 is a Proof-of-Work cryptocurrency that uses the Scrypt hashing algorithm.[reference:97][reference:98] It can be mined using ASICs or CPUs/GPUs.[reference:99] The block time is 60 seconds, and the block reward is 2.5 EMC2.[reference:101]
Key risks include: low liquidity (difficulty buying/selling without slippage), high volatility, low market cap (prone to manipulation), project uncertainty (may not achieve its mission), exchange risks (if left on exchanges), and regulatory risks. EMC2 is considered a high-risk investment.[reference:102]