Bitcoin is a digital currency with a fixed supply; Ethereum is a platform for smart contracts. Compare purpose, supply, security and income.
Bitcoin and Ethereum are the two best-known cryptocurrencies, but they were built for different things. Bitcoin is a digital currency and store of value with a fixed supply. Ethereum is a platform for running programs, called smart contracts, and its coin, ether, pays for using it.
Neither pays a dividend. Both are highly volatile.
Bitcoin
BTC
|
Ethereum
ETH
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Category | Digital currency | Smart-contract platform |
| Launched | 2009 | 2015 |
| Created by | Satoshi Nakamoto (pseudonym) | Vitalik Buterin and co-founders |
| Consensus | Proof of work | Proof of stake |
| Supply | Capped at 21 million | No fixed cap |
| Regular dividend | No regular dividend | No regular dividend |
| Full profile | Read the profile → | Read the profile → |
Bitcoin is mainly money or a store of value. Ethereum is a programmable network used for apps, tokens and financial services.
Bitcoin is capped at 21 million coins. Ethereum has no fixed maximum supply.
Bitcoin uses proof of work, secured by miners. Ethereum moved to proof of stake in 2022, where validators lock up ether.
Bitcoin launched in 2009. Ethereum launched in 2015.
Neither pays a dividend. Ethereum holders can earn staking rewards, but those are not dividends and are not guaranteed.
This is general education, not a recommendation. Fees, yields and prices change, so check current figures with the issuer or your broker.
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