What is C64 Chain?
C64 Chain is a privacy-focused, CPU-mineable cryptocurrency inspired by the legendary Commodore 64. Forked from Wownero (itself a fork of Monero), C64 Chain is a new crypto project featuring CryptoNote privacy, RandomX CPU mining, anti-dump vesting, and a unique retro computing aesthetic.
Why C64 Chain?
- Fair launch — no premine, no ICO, no VC funding, no insider allocation
- CPU mining only — rx/c64 algorithm levels the playing field, anyone can mine from home
- Privacy by default — built on CryptoNote/Monero technology with ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT
- Anti-dump vesting — block rewards unlock over 90 days, protecting price stability
- Audited codebase — security audit completed with all critical fixes applied
- Active development — regular updates, responsive team, transparent roadmap
- Unique identity — Commodore 64-themed node and miner with retro TUI
The C64 Spirit 🕹️
C64 Chain is built as a love letter to the Commodore 64, the best-selling home computer of all time. Every detail pays homage:
- Node TUI: Full ncurses Commodore 64 boot screen — blue border, PETSCII font, **** C64 CHAIN NODE V1.0 **** / 64K RAM SYSTEM 38911 BASIC BYTES FREE / READY.
- Datasette loading: The node startup simulates a Datasette tape loading animation with colored bars, just like loading a game in 1984
- BASIC-style display: Node status displayed as LIST output with numbered lines, like a BASIC program
- Max supply: 19,640,000 C64 — 1964 is the year the MOS 6502 CPU was designed, the processor that powered the C64
- Algorithm name: rx/c64 — RandomX variant customized for C64 Chain
- Miner TUI: The C64 Miner features its own Commodore 64-themed terminal with READY. / RUN C64MINER prompt
Tokenomics
Parameter Value
Max supply 19,640,000 C64
Algorithm rx/c64 (RandomX variant, CPU-only)
Block time 5 minutes (300 seconds)
Initial block reward ~149 C64
Emission speed factor 21
50% mined in ~10 months
80% mined in ~2 years
96% mined in ~4 years
Dev fund 2% of each block reward (consensus-enforced)
Emission curve Smooth exponential decay (no halving cliffs)
The emission follows Monero's smooth curve formula: reward = (supply_cap - already_mined) >> ESF. This means block rewards decrease gradually with every block, unlike Bitcoin's sudden halvings. Combined with the 19.64M cap, this creates a fair and predictable monetary policy.
Vesting (Anti-Dump Protection)
Every block reward is split into 4 equal outputs with staggered unlock times. This prevents miners from dumping all rewards immediately at listing:
Portion Unlock after Blocks
25% ~24 hours 288
25% ~30 days 8,640
25% ~60 days 17,280
25% ~90 days 25,920
The 2% dev fund unlocks after ~24 hours (288 blocks).
Each coinbase transaction has 5 outputs: 4 vesting outputs for the miner + 1 dev fund output. Both vesting and the dev fund are enforced at consensus level — blocks without proper structure are rejected by the network.
Why Vesting Matters
Without vesting, early miners could accumulate large amounts of C64 and dump them as soon as the coin is listed on exchanges, crashing the price for everyone. The 90-day staggered unlock ensures that selling pressure is distributed over time, protecting the coin's value for all participants.
Security
C64 Chain has undergone a code audit covering all modifications from the Wownero/Monero codebase. Key security features:
Dev fund consensus validation — every node verifies that coinbase transactions contain exactly 5 outputs with correct 2% dev fund amount and 4x25% vesting split
Vesting triple enforcement — enforced at database, node consensus, and wallet level
LWMA-1 difficulty algorithm — responsive difficulty adjustment (Zawy's algorithm) protecting against hashrate manipulation, activated at HF20 (block 2100)
Clean codebase — all legacy Wownero checkpoints, hardcoded difficulty values, and workarounds have been removed
