Bitcoin and Ethereum are two surprisingly common words on the internet nowadays, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that they’re essentially the same thing as one another. Well, while they’re both cryptocurrencies, there are a number of key differences that make them distinct and discrete.

From the fluctuations in Ethereum price to the staggering amount of usage that Bitcoin sees, there are some key facts to bear in mind. Here, let’s break down those key facts and talk about which of the two may be a better idea for you to interact with. It’s a good idea to leave your preconceived notions behind - the more you learn about these two giants, the more you’ll see that you’ve got to learn!

What is the difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum?

Bitcoin and Ethereum are both prominent cryptocurrencies that prioritize decentralization and, to varying degrees, user pseudonymity. As of December 2024, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $96,863 per token, while Ethereum is around $3,667 per token. This represents substantial growth from their initial valuations, with Bitcoin's first recorded price at $0.0009 in 2009 and Ethereum's initial price at $0.30 in 2015.

These are the facts that people tend to focus on, so you’d be forgiven for seeing all of this data and conflating the two crypto coins into one combined item. However, there are some key differences, so let’s break those down.

Blockchain usage

Bitcoin uses the blockchain as a publicly available ledger in which all Bitcoin transactions are stored. The blockchain is massive, with a long history recording the journey of every single Bitcoin transaction back to when the coin was first created.

Ethereum also does this and has a large amount of historical data about Ethereum transactions. However, Ethereum uses its blockchain for something more - each token can hold some code or data that can be executed at any time. This means that the Ethereum blockchain has a lot of computing power at its disposal through the assorted nodes, and the individual elements of code can be activated to do various things.

Proof methods

For a transaction to be considered reputable enough for it to be added to the blockchain ledger of either Bitcoin or Ethereum, proof tests must be carried out. Each of these coins uses a different type of proof. Bitcoin uses proof of work, while Ethereum uses proof of stake.

Proof of work is a mechanism by which the nodes on the network carry out intense cryptographical calculations in order to demonstrate that a certain amount of work has been done. In return for completing the calculations, a user will be rewarded.

Proof of stake is a mechanism by which new information or blocks are voted on in order to decide whether or not they should be added to the blockchain. Once a consensus of users is reached, the block can be added to the chain. The proof that the block is legitimate is the stake that users have placed upon it as a vote.

Changeability

This is less of a concrete difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum, but it’s still one that should certainly be discussed. Bitcoin was created by someone called Satoshi Nakamoto, who generated the blockchain and the mechanism by which Bitcoins can be generated, and then stepped away from the project. Since then, they have not made any changes or updates to Bitcoin.

Ethereum, on the other hand, is often updated by its co-creator, Vitalik Buterin. Buterin is outspoken about the work that he does on Ethereum and regularly makes changes and updates that he considers to be improvements for the technology. This makes it quite a bit more volatile than Bitcoin, which is worth considering if you’re looking into using one of these cryptocurrencies in the long term.

Which is the better choice for you?

Selecting which of these two cryptocurrencies is ideal for you is very tough without knowing what you intend to use your stake in the currency for. There are some reasons you may opt for either of the two choices, so let’s break those down.

Bitcoin benefits

The main benefit of Bitcoin is the gargantuan size of the Bitcoin user base. This means that it has a certain weight to it. While nothing is too big to fall, Bitcoin has an impressive momentum of steadily increasing its price over time, despite a few backward steps here and there. This may make it a wiser choice than Ethereum as an investment opportunity.

Ethereum benefits

Ethereum has increased functionality over different cryptocurrencies, meaning that it is often considered the most likely crypto to next be impactful on digital transactions. The functionality makes it a better choice than Bitcoin if you’re looking to actively use the coins that you purchase.

Bitcoin and Ethereum each offer distinct advantages depending on your needs. Bitcoin’s established user base and historical price stability make it a strong choice for long-term investment. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s enhanced functionality and adaptability position it as a leader for practical applications and innovation in blockchain technology. Your choice should align with your goals—whether it’s storing value or leveraging advanced features for digital transactions.