Coal in Old School RuneScape has surpassed Ethereum in yearly value growth. From May 2025 to May 2026, OSRS coal rose by about 42.65 percent, compared to Ethereum's 31.84 percent increase. The comparison was spotted by the official X account of digital currency trading platform Arkham.
Data from Coin Market Cap and the Old School RuneScape Grand Exchange tracker reveal the striking disparity. Ethereum, a leading cryptocurrency, saw its value climb 31.84 percent over the year ending in early May 2026. In contrast, OSRS coal gained 42.65 percent in the same period, as noted by Arkham's X account and reported by Eurogamer.net on May 5, 2026. This covers the timeframe from May 2025 to May 2026, aligning with today's date of May 6, 2026. The growth in coal's price stems from its essential role in the game's economy. Players rely on coal for smithing metals beyond iron, fueling demand in activities like the blast furnace mini-game and armor upgrades. Those avoiding mining often buy it from the market, sustaining steady interest. Recent popularity surges in Old School RuneScape have amplified this demand. The latest limited-time Leagues game mode pushed player counts close to the game's all-time peak. More players naturally heighten the need for resources like coal. While the comparison highlights an unusual in-game asset's strength against cryptocurrency, extracting real-world profits from OSRS remains tricky. Bonds can be bought for membership or sold, but selling gold violates the terms of service.