Introduction

Two cryptocurrencies blaze the trail in the crypto world: Bitcoin and Ethereum. Bitcoin is the first digital currency to be built on blockchain technology.

Judging by key metrics like market cap, number of holders, and trading volume, BTC is the largest cryptocurrency in the world. Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency.

Blockchain technology powers Bitcoin and Ethereum, and they are decentralized digital currencies. The two cryptocurrencies have some similarities. In the same vein, they have major differences.

For instance, Bitcoin was created as a medium of exchange and a store of value. On the other hand, Ethereum was developed for building and deploying smart contracts and DApps (Decentralized Applications) through its virtual machine.

The dominance of these two cryptocurrencies naturally leads people to compare them. Hence, this article will explore Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH): Their Key Differences and Which One to Invest In.

What is Bitcoin (BTC)?

Bitcoin, the first decentralized digital currency, was created in 2008 by a person or group of people under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The cryptocurrency started operating in 2009.

Bitcoin eliminates trusted third parties and middlemen, allowing users to run P2P (Peer-to-Peer) transactions. This P2P is similar to using physical cash to buy products in the real world. However, unlike fiat money, the market determines Bitcoin’s value.

Bitcoin is not produced or issued by any central bank, and the world government does not control its supply. Bitcoin transactions are recorded on the blockchain, a distributed public ledger.

A Brief History of Bitcoin: Key Moments

The rise of Bitcoin throughout history has not been without important moments. These events have shaped the cryptocurrency into becoming one of the most successful investment assets in the world. Below are important moments in the history of Bitcoin.

In 1983, David Chuam, an American cryptographer and the father of cryptocurrency, proposed an electronic currency called eCash.
In 1989, he materialized his idea and launched Digicash. However, the project failed because the electronic currency did not gain widespread adoption.
Satoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin in 2008 and mined the first block in 2009. By 2013, Forbes named BTC the year’s best investment. In 2014, Bloomberg called it the year’s worst investment.
In 2015, developers came together to solve the challenges faced by the Bitcoin network, especially its slow transaction speed. They started working on the SegWit upgrade and the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
They completed the upgrade and launched it on the Bitcoin blockchain network in 2017. The upgrade improved Bitcoin’s transaction speed.
In October 2021, The United States SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) approved the first Bitcoin Futures ETF (Exchange Traded Funds), ProShares Bitcoin Strategy.
Three years later, in January 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission approved eleven Spot Bitcoin ETFs.

The Significance and Use Cases of Bitcoin

Using, holding, and trading Bitcoin is legal in some countries today. Users can use Bitcoin in these countries to pay for everyday goods and services. Also, some charity organizations and companies worldwide now accept Bitcoin.

Cryptocurrencies now serve as exchange mediums, units of account, and stores of value—all qualities of fiat money. However, Bitcoin is only a digital currency; it has no fiat version.

Cryptocurrencies, by nature, get more widespread adoption when they have real-world applications or can be used to solve real-life problems. Their unique selling propositions and uses contribute to their longevity and price increase as time goes on.

Bitcoin is no exception to this rule, being the first to grace the crypto landscape with its presence. Hence, below are some of Bitcoin's use cases.

Bitcoin can serve as a means of payment for products and services.
You can use Bitcoin to make low-cost and swift remittances or cross-border payments.
Bitcoin is a legal tender in some countries, such as El Salvador.
Users worldwide can donate the cryptocurrency to charitable organizations for support.
You can save money in Bitcoin to get full control or custody of your finances.
It can serve as a store of value.
Bitcoin can be used to hedge against inflation.
Knowledgeable crypto users can now launch their projects (Bitcoin Ordinals) and mint NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) on the Bitcoin blockchain.

What is Ethereum (ETH)?

Ethereum was created by Vitalik Buterin and other co-founders in 2014 because they felt that Bitcoin was not correctly approaching the problems in the finance world. According to them, Bitcoin focuses primarily on individual applications and use cases.

Hence, Vitalik Buterin created Ethereum as a decentralized open-source blockchain network that allows the development of smart contracts and decentralized applications.

The blockchain network, home to Decentralized Finance (DeFi), has a native digital currency called Ether ($ETH). Like Bitcoin, Ethereum eliminates trusted third parties and allows users to carry out P2P transactions using its native currency.

Since its creation, Ethereum has aggressively grown to become the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world and the first in the crypto space to offer its value proposition. Many crypto enthusiasts believe it will soon rise above Bitcoin in usage.

A Brief History of Ethereum: Key Moments

Just like Bitcoin, Ethereum has had events that defined and redefined its place in the crypto space.

These events are very important moments that shaped what is now called the second largest cryptocurrency in the world. Let us explore some major moments in its journey.

In 2011, Vitalik Buterin got into blockchain technology through Bitcoin. As a young programmer, he was intrigued by this novel technology and the Bitcoin ecosystem, which drove him to co-found Bitcoin Magazine.
In 2013, Buterin wrote and released the Ethereum White Paper, which stated that he would develop the cryptocurrency using a general script language.
At the time, the major difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum was that Ethereum could host other crypto projects and decentralized applications as a Layer-1 blockchain network.
In 2014, Vitalik and other Ethereum co-founders launched the project ICO (Initial Coin Offering). Ethereum’s ICO generated over $18 million for the project.
In 2015, the project launched Frontier, the first live Ethereum release. Since then, the cryptocurrency has seen unprecedented growth and has onboarded thousands of users and developers into its ecosystem.
In 2016, shortly after the project went live, an anonymous hacker breached the platform’s security and stole $50 million worth of Ether (ETH). This event is known as the “Famous DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) Hack.”.
The hack made many people start doubting the blockchain’s network security. The doubt in the heart of the blockchain users led to the famous Ethereum fork that produced the Ethereum Classic ($ETC).
By 2017, Ethereum's price grew by more than 13,000%. The project’s price increase attracted more investors to its ecosystem amid the hack and the fork.
On September 15th, 2022, Ethereum launched the Ethereum 2.0, also known as the Ethereum Merge. An upgrade on the blockchain network that moved its consensus mechanism from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS).
In July 2024, the U.S. SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) finally approved the trading of spot Ethereum ETFs, further legitimizing the asset in the trading market.

The Significance and Use Cases of Ethereum

As mentioned in the previous section, Ethereum is the cryptocurrency ecosystem's first backbone of decentralized applications, decentralized finance, and smart contracts.

In addition, crypto users can utilize the blockchain’s native currency to pay for physical goods and services.

Ethereum is fundamental to the growth and expansion of the entire ecosystem. It broadened the crypto landscape when it introduced smart contracts and DeFi applications.

The blockchain network transformed crypto and the blockchain ecosystem from having an individualistic approach to a corporate one. It redefined the global finance sector and gave users more options.

While there is still more room for developing the Ethereum blockchain and expanding its use cases, below are some major ways people can use Ethereum.

Developers can build DeFi applications, including Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) and crypto lending/borrowing protocols on the Ethereum network.
Users can mint NFTs on the Ethereum network.
Developers can build and deploy smart contracts for decentralized applications on the Ethereum network.
You can store your identity safely on the Ethereum blockchain without fear of anyone tampering with it. This digital identity is called SSI (Self Sovereign Identity).
The Ethereum blockchain can improve supply chain management and tracing goods and services. Companies like IBM and Walmart use it for this purpose.
Developers can use the Ethereum blockchain to build metaverses and blockchain games. Some popular games and metaverses on the Ethereum blockchain include Axie Infinity, Sandbox, Decentraland, and Gods Unchained.
Hospitals can store sensitive patient health records and other private data on the Ethereum blockchain to prevent leaks or breaches.
Developers can build DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) on the Ethereum network.
The blockchain’s native currency, $ETH, can be used to pay for goods and services, make remittances, and make cross-border payments anywhere in the world.

The Differences Between BTC and ETH

Bitcoin and Ethereum share certain similarities, including being both cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks, being able to pay for goods and services, and so on.

However, they have some key differences. This section will explore the five major ways Bitcoin differs from Ethereum.

Purpose: Satoshi created Bitcoin as a traditional money alternative—a decentralized digital payment system. On the other hand, Vitalik and other Ethereum co-founders created Ethereum as a home for smart contracts and decentralized finance applications.
Consensus Mechanism: While Bitcoin has maintained its original PoW consensus mechanism for validating transactions, Ethereum transitioned to a PoS from its original PoW in 2022.
Scalability: Ethereum’s PoS consensus mechanism has made the network more scalable than Bitcoin. Bitcoin maintains its original PoW, and the consensus mechanism has always been known to have scalability issues.
Maximum Supply: Ethereum has no limit to its maximum supply. Bitcoin’s total supply is 21 million BTC. This means you can have infinite ETH in circulation, but there will never be more than 21 million BTC.
Market Influence: Bitcoin, as the forerunner of the crypto market, determines the market’s movements by its price movements.

This means that whatever happens to Bitcoin's price will affect the prices of other assets in the market, including Ethereum's. Ethereum does not have such influence.

Below is a table showing a summary of the key differences of Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Summary of the key differences of Bitcoin and Ethereum

Bitcoin and Ethereum Historical Price Trends and Market Capitalization

Knowing the market price performance of BTC and ETH will give you an interesting picture of the dynamic nature of the crypto market.

Despite their volatile nature and price fluctuations over the years, the assets have witnessed tremendous price increases. Let us examine their historical price trends since their inception.

Bitcoin (BTC)

Since Bitcoin entered the crypto market in 2009, its price has dramatically increased and has experienced many highs and lows.

The price of BTC did not surge until 2013 when it crossed $1000 for the first time. By 2017, it had surged to nearly $20,000 and dropped again. Between 2017 and 2021, the asset saw various price fluctuations.

In 2021, Bitcoin peaked above $60,000 for the first time. Between 2021 and 2024, BTC experienced other price fluctuations. On December 17th 2024, it reached a remarkable ATH (All-Time High) of $108,000.

Despite numerous fluctuations, BTC's price trend has been upward. As the forerunner of the crypto market, this price movement shows that the crypto market has been bullish since 2013.

Currently (December 2024), the total market cap of BTC is around $1.8 trillion, and its crypto market dominance is 56.64%.

Ethereum (ETH)

After its launch in 2015 and the DAO hack in 2016, Ethereum experienced its first price increase in late 2017 and early 2018. For the first time, it peaked slightly above $1,400.

Between 2018 and 2020, Ethereum saw price declines and fluctuations. Then, in 2021, the price surged again above $4,000. Currently (December 2024), the price of ETH is around $3,300.

The total market cap of ETH at the time of this writing is around $401 billion, and its crypto market dominance is 12.32%.

Factors Influencing the Prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum

Here are the major factors that have affected Bitcoin and Ethereum prices over the years:

Demands in The Crypto Market

Demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum has increased because of their utilities, values, and unique value propositions. For instance, Bitcoin’s primary use as a store of value puts it in high demand during periods of economic uncertainty.

Similarly, the demand for Ethereum has been greatly influenced by the rise of more innovative DeFi applications and NFTs. Their increasing market demand is an underlying factor in their bullish prices.

Innovative Upgrades in Their Technologies

Advancements in crypto projects' technologies will naturally drive prices. For example, Bitcoin witnessed a significant price increase in 2017 when the blockchain underwent the Lightning Network and SegWit upgrade.

The 2022 Ethereum Merge upgrade has greatly influenced Ethereum’s price. The upgrade moved the blockchain’s technology from a Proof of Work consensus to a Proof of Stake.

Sentiments of Crypto Investors

Global news, changes in crypto regulations, and other general economic conditions influence investors' sentiments in the crypto space. Then, their sentiments affect the prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum.

When these coins get positive news, regulatory measures, endorsement, widespread adoption, etc., their prices will surge. The reverse happens when these factors become negative.

Developer and Community Ecosystem of Bitcoin and Ethereum

The communities of these two cryptocurrencies include vibrant, active, and engaging members, investors, developers, and enthusiasts.

Their purposes have given them widespread individual and institutional acceptance, multiple collaborations, and various endorsements.

However, these two crypto communities share certain differences in the kind of people in their ecosystem. The Bitcoin community comprises people who want to use crypto as a store of value and alternative money.

The developers and the community focus on improving the blockchain network's scalability, security, and privacy. This focus is evident in the SegWit upgrade, which improved the blockchain’s transaction speed and reduced transaction costs.

The Ethereum community includes members and developers interested in DeFi and DApps. These developers focus on improving the frontiers of decentralized finance, developing smart contracts, and building new decentralized applications.

Bitcoin and Ethereum have seen notable collaborations and have been home for other crypto and non-crypto projects. A good example of a notable Ethereum non-crypto project is the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance.

The Bitcoin ecosystem has also had successful projects, such as collaborations between the Lighting Network Developers and with numerous traditional financial institutions.

These projects, collaborations, and partnerships with traditional financial institutions show the immense efforts that the community and members of these two crypto giants are making to bridge the gap between traditional finance and crypto.

Advantages of Bitcoin

Below are 10 major advantages that Bitcoin offers its investors.

A good store of value in times of economic uncertainties.
Massive ROI (Returns on Investment).
Full self-custody of your finances.
Availability of use, no matter your status, country, and financial worth.
Top-notch data and financial security.
Availability for usage and trading at any time of the day.
Fixed supply to create scarcity and increase value.
A good hedge against inflation.
Ability to buy in bits because it is divisible.
Decentralization of finance.

Disadvantages of Bitcoin

Below are the 10 major disadvantages of Bitcoin

It is highly volatile.
Many more crypto projects are coming up, and they pose a competition to Bitcoin.
Many people still do not know or buy the Bitcoin ideology.
Holding, using, or trading them in some countries is illegal.
Learning the complexities of blockchain technology can be challenging for beginner investors.
Some Bitcoin miners use so much energy for their mining operations, which can harm our climate.
Its transaction-per-second speed is slower than that of other cryptocurrencies like Avalanche and Solana.
Bitcoin has not been in the global financial market for long.
It may not be the leading crypto project of some web3 platforms today.
It does not have as much influence in the DeFi ecosystem as Ethereum.

Advantages of Ethereum

Below are the seven key advantages that Ethereum offers its investors.

A fully decentralized blockchain network.
Total transparency and good network security.
Flexibility in creating DApps and their customizations.
A large, vibrant ecosystem of developers and community members.
Interoperability and various token standards: the ERC-20 for fungible tokens and the ERC-721 for NFTs.
Eco-friendly consensus mechanism; the Proof-of-Stake for mining operations.
Use of Ether for real-life purchases of goods and services.

Disadvantages of Ethereum

Let’s explore the seven major disadvantages of the Ethereum blockchain network.

Scalability concerns.
It is illegal to trade, hold, or use them in some countries.
Other blockchains like Solana and BNB offer the same value propositions as Ethereum and have better scalability features.
The blockchain is usually faced with network congestion.
High transaction fees for sending coins or tokens on the network.
Sometimes, interacting with DApps on the Ethereum network can be challenging because of their complexities.
Transaction speed is slow when compared to Solana and BNB.

Conclusion

The two most popular cryptocurrencies worldwide today are Bitcoin and Ethereum. While they share similarities, they also have unique differences. In this article, we explored the differences between these two crypto giants.

The question about the best long-term investment is based on your perspectives on the two crypto assets' unique selling points. The two have stood the test of time and delivered massive profits to investors.

Hence, investing in them now may yield more profits in the long run. Consider their uniqueness and invest in the project that appeals to you and your sentiment.

Please remember that the crypto market is volatile. Do your research and invest only what you can afford to lose.

We have written this article for educational purposes only. Please do not take it as financial advice.

If you are interested in investing in cryptocurrencies focusing on financial institutions and institutional payments, read our latest article on The Comprehensive Comparison Between XRP and XLM.

BTC vs ETH: Key Differences and Which One to Invest In 2025