![Ethereum Classic](https://news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/vitalik.jpg)

Ethereum Hardfork (ETH) is currently backed by the original Ethereum Dev Team while leadership roles in ETC remain left in limbo (being listed just hours ago, this is to be expected). Yet, what ETC lacks in leadership it redeems in a zealous ideologically fueled following of Ethereum Purists. As mining ramps up for ETC, it seems only logical that a new development leader or team will emerge in the next few days. This person or team will capitalize on the controversy, ride the coattails of the platform Vitalik started, and rise to a place of prominence amongst the crypto community with little to no footwork necessary.

To make matters more interesting, it isn't against the original ETH dev teams interest to support ETC as they maintain a stake in ETC as well as ETH...

Supporting Statement Made by an Ethereum Developer:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A Tale Of Two Chains by Ethereum Developer <a href="https://twitter.com/zsfelfoldi">@zsfelfoldi</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/YrEAD6fG9Q">https://t.co/YrEAD6fG9Q</a> <a href="https://t.co/zgj8MT0hYH">pic.twitter.com/zgj8MT0hYH</a></p>&mdash; Chris Ellis (@MrChrisEllis) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrChrisEllis/status/757293299426271232">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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 Essentially, by supporting ETC under the pretense of a different use case, they could multiply their profits similarly to how Poloniex did in listing ETC. It wouldn't be a disadvantage for them to advertise a more corporate and mutable/centrally-protected version of the blockchain for the banks and commercial users (ETH) as well as a more decentralized and immutable version for the crypto community (ETC). 

In the event that Vitalik fails to establish himself as the leader of ETC before a third party moves in, Vitalik would be forced to partner with this new third party and co-lead the ETC project. Essentially this third part will have risen to Vitalik's equal in a matter of days.

Feel free to add your thoughts below :)