Bitcoin Vs Ethereum
Bitcoin vs Ethereum … the two largest cryptocurrencies both by price and market capitalisation. Ethereum is one of the only cryptos that can rival Bitcoin’s dominance of the market, even though it is six years younger. If you are comparing Bitcoin vs Ethereum and you want to know what the difference between the two is, the history of each, their transaction and gas fees, environmental impacts, which is a better investment, which one to buy and more, read this 2021 comparison. We have also provided a list of our top brokers and exchanges that offer trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Top Litecoin & Tether Trading Brokers
#1 - Forex.com
Trade major cryptos against USD, EUR, GBP and AUD. All traded with tight spreads. No virtual wallet is required, just a trading account. Cryptos are not available in the US, UK or Canada.
Forex.com is excellent for forex traders with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads, low commissions and powerful platforms. The brand is also heavily regulated while its parent company is listed on the NASDAQ, giving it a high trust score.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: BTC 1.4%, ETH 2%
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Regulator: CySEC, IIROC, NFA, CFTC, FCA, CIMA, CIRO
Forex.com Crypto Coins
Forex.com offers trading on at least 5 crypto coins: BCH, BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP
CFD Trading
Go long and short on a range of popular financial markets with intuitive platforms and reliable execution. 99.76% of trades are executed in less than a second with an average speed of 0.02 seconds.
Forex Trading
Forex.com is a leading FX broker. The brand offers a huge range of currency pairs and some of the lowest fees in the industry. Spreads on the EUR/USD come in as low as 0.2 with a $5 commission per $100k.
Stocks Trading
Forex.com offers access to thousands of US, EU and UK stocks, with spreads of just 1 point. Speculate on household names as well as new IPOs. US stocks are available from just 1.8 cents per share.
About Forex.com
Forex.com boasts a global reputation with multiple awards and 20+ years experience. Regulated in the US, EU, UK and Canada they offer a huge range of markets, not just forex, and offer competitive fees on a cutting-edge platform. The brand also provides a suite of additional tools, from performance analytics and SMART Signals to advanced charts and strategy builders.
Pros
- Leading trading tools, including Trading Central, SMART Signals and MetaTrader 4
- Free demo account for beginners
- Multiple account currencies including USD, EUR and GBP
Cons
- $15 inactivity fee
- No copy trading tool
- Tools and platform access varies between countries
#2 - eToro USA Securities
eToro US leads the way in cryptocurrency trading. 1% fee for buying or selling crypto added to the spread (from 0.75% for BTC), with their own wallet service and the largest number of cryptos to trade in the market. eToro copy trading is only for cryptos. Crypto asset investing is highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
- Crypto Spread: From 0.75% for BTC
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $10
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
eToro USA Securities Crypto Coins
eToro USA Securities offers trading on at least 26 crypto coins: AAVE, ALGO, BAT, BCH, BTC, COMP, DASH, DOGE, ENJ, EOS, ETC, ETH, FLR, LINK, LTC, MANA, MATIC, MIOTA, MKR, NEO, SHIBxM, UNI, XLM, XTZ, YFI, ZEC
Stocks Trading
Trade US stocks from the country's largest exchanges.
About eToro USA Securities
eToro is a social investing platform that offers stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. eToro securities trading is offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc.
Pros
- Low minimum deposit
- Copy trading
- Demo account
Cons
- No MT4 integration
#3 - OANDA
Speculate on the world's biggest cryptos by market cap. Commissions are lower than many peers starting at 0.25%. Users can also trade digital currencies in a few taps through the iOS and Android mobile app.
We recommend OANDA for traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium market research and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is a particularly good pick for US traders with authorization from local regulators and a secure trading environment.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: $100
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: MT4, TradingView
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: CFTC, NFA
OANDA Crypto Coins
OANDA offers trading on at least 10 crypto coins: AAVE, BCH, BTC, ETH, LINK, LTC, MATIC, PAXG, SOL, UNI
Forex Trading
OANDA offers over 70 forex pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker's in-house platform also offers impressive execution speeds and a suite of advanced charting and analysis tools.
Stocks Trading
Over 1600 shares are available from leading stock exchanges. There are also no commissions on US stocks and traders benefit from free expert insights and market reports.
About OANDA
OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is authorized by leading regulators, including the CFTC/NFA. Around the clock support is available, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
Pros
- The OANDA web platform offers advanced charts plus guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs)
- Industry-leading platforms including MT4 and TradingView
- Reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators
Cons
- Customer support not available on the weekend
- Stock trading not available in all countries
#4 - Webull
Webull offers trading on popular cryptos like Bitcoin against the US Dollar. With 35+ tokens and premium analysis tools, traders can review market trends and identify opportunities in a few taps.
Webull is best for traders looking to buy and sell stocks on a user-friendly app with zero commissions.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: Floating
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
Webull Crypto Coins
Webull offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 43 coins. For example: ADA DASH, ALGO, ATOM, AVAX, BAT, BCH, BTC, CRV, DOGE, EOS, ETC, ETH, FTM, GRT, LINK, LRC, LTC, LUNA, MANA, MATIC, REM, SHIB, SISHI, SOL, TRX, UNI, XLM, XMR, XTZ, ZEC
Forex Trading
Webull offers a modest collection of 17 currencies, including majors like EUR/USD. Forex can be traded on the feature-rich investing app with real-time quotes and low spreads.
Stocks Trading
Webull offers a fantastic list of 2000+ US stocks, fractional shares, options, ETFs, OTC, and ADRs. There is no commission on stocks, ETFs, and options. Full extended trading hours is available while custom screeners and watchlists aid the decision making process.
About Webull
Webull is a US-regulated trading app that offers stocks, options, forex, cryptos, ETFs, fractional shares and more. The firm is authorized by the SEC and FINRA with a strong trust rating. Low fees, no minimum investment and generous bonuses have made the discount broker popular with online investors.
Pros
- Respected brand with strong regulatory oversight
- No commission or inactivity fees
- Promotions with free stocks
Cons
- High deposit and withdrawal wire fees for non-US residents
- Day trading is limited for customers with less than $25,000 deposited
- Sometimes sudden changes in trading conditions
#5 - IG Group
11 popular cryptos are available, plus two crypto crosses. A crypto index is also offered, following the value of the top 10 digital currencies by market cap. All cryptos are available via CFDs.
IG offers a superb all-round package. Beginners will appreciate the user-friendly web platform and secure trading environment while established investors will rate the 18,000+ markets and top-tier market research.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: Variable
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: MT4
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: £250
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, MAS, FSCA, JFSA, FMA, CFTC, NFA, BMA, DFSA, FINMA, BaFin
IG Group Crypto Coins
IG Group offers trading on at least 10 crypto coins: ADA, BCH, BTC, DOGE, DOT, ETH, LINK, LTC, UNI, XLM
CFD Trading
IG offers an impressive suite of 18,000+ CFD instruments. Negative balance protection ensures accounts cannot drop below zero while custom price alerts and the IG Academy enhance the trading experience.
Forex Trading
IG offers currency trading on its award-winning web platform and mobile app. Comprehensive charts and forex analysis tools are also available through ProRealTime.
Stocks Trading
IG offers 13,000+ shares, with more listed firms than most competitors. Fees are low with no commission on US stocks. Extended hours trading is also available alongside ultra-fast execution speeds of 0.014 seconds.
About IG Group
IG is an award-winning broker that has an excellent reputation globally. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across a comprehensive suite of markets. IG is also multi-regulated, provides a great trading app and has 50 years experience.
Pros
- 24/5 customer support is available
- Users have access to a comprehensive range of charts, market news, client sentiment data, and analysis tools
- IG is an LSE-listed company with a transparent financial history and a great track record
Cons
- No copy trading platform
- Inactivity charge
#6 - Pocket Option
Pocket Option supports popular cryptocurrencies on a beginner-friendly app.
- Crypto Spread: N/A
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: MT5
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $50
- Regulator: IFMRRC
Pocket Option Crypto Coins
Pocket Option offers trading on at least 5 crypto coins: BCH, BTC, DSH, ETH, LINK
Forex Trading
Binary and OTC options can be purchased on over 30 foreign exchange pairs.
Stocks Trading
Trade major company stocks and take positions on popular indices.
About Pocket Option
Pocket Option is a global binary options broker with a sleek proprietary trading platform and competitive range of assets.
Pros
- Low minimum deposit
- Demo account
- Multiple payment methods
Cons
- Weak regulatory oversight
- No MT4 integration
#7 - IQCent
Trade popular crypto tokens via leveraged CFDs.
- Crypto Spread: Variable
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: TradingView
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $50
- Regulator: IFMRRC
IQCent Crypto Coins
IQCent offers trading on at least 3 crypto coins: BTC, ETH, LTC
CFD Trading
Trade leveraged CFDs on popular markets including stocks and commodities.
Forex Trading
IQCent offers major, minor and exotic currency pairs with tight spreads.
Stocks Trading
IQCent offers trading on four German stocks alongside several established indices.
About IQCent
IQCent is an offshore binary options and CFD broker with 10+ payment methods and a $50 minimum deposit. Clients benefit from copy trading tools and in-depth market analysis.
#8 - M1 Finance
M1 Finance users can open a crypto account to invest in 10 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano and Solana. You can also invest in six crypto-related funds and ETFs, which are a good way to get broader exposure to the digital currency market.
US investors who want a straightforward, commission-free way to invest in stocks and crypto with AI-powered strategy support should consider M1 Finance.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: Variable
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $100 ($500 for IRA)
- Regulator: FINRA, SEC
M1 Finance Crypto Coins
M1 Finance offers trading on at least 8 crypto coins: ADA, ALDO, ATOM, AVE, BAT, BTC, ETH, LINK
Stocks Trading
M1 Finance offers a very large list of 6000+ stocks and shares listed on the NASDAQ and NYSE, as well as a small list of OTC securities. The shares are directly bought, sold and owned, meaning traders will have voting rights and benefit from dividends as well as capital gains. Commission-free trades and fractional shares will appeal to beginners and those on a budget.
About M1 Finance
M1 Finance is a US brokerage that allows users to build a customizable investment portfolio from a range of 6000+ stocks and shares, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The innovative 'pie' based portfolio management system allows traders to build several portfolios with different aims, and the brokerage supports machine-learning tools that can provide automated portfolio management.
Pros
- Excellent portfolio-management tools
- Trade fractional shares
- Straightforward proprietary platform
Cons
- Accounts with less than $20 and no trading activity for 90 days are charged a fee
- The way trades are placed puts transaction timing out of your control
- Despite offering stocks and ETFs, M1 Finance doesn’t provide trading on mutual funds or options
#9 - Uphold
Uphold offers trading on more than 100 crypto assets including via crypto-only pairs and crypto-fiat cross pairs.
- Crypto Spread: 0.5% to 1% average
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: Yes
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: FCA, FinCEN
Uphold Crypto Coins
Uphold offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 96 coins. For example: AAVE, ADA, ALCX, ALGO, API3, ATOM, AUDIO, AVAX, AXS, BAL, BAT, BCH, BTC, BTCO, CAKE, CHR, DAO, DYDX, ETH, GHST, GLMR, GODS, INH, LSK, NMR, REQ, ROOK, TRB, XRP, XYO
Stocks Trading
Speculate on large US stocks including Tesla, Amazon, Alibaba and Apple
About Uphold
Trading in the Uphold environment offers a one-stop-shop for all your crypto requirements.
#10 - Kwakol Markets
Trade cryptos against fiat currencies, other cryptocurrencies and metals like gold.
- Crypto Spread: From 0.8 pips (Standard Account)
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: MT4, MT5
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $1
- Regulator: ASIC, FINTRAC
Kwakol Markets Crypto Coins
Kwakol Markets offers trading on at least 6 crypto coins: BCH, BNB, BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP
CFD Trading
Trade CFDs with high leverage and spreads from 0.0 pips on premium accounts.
Forex Trading
Trade forex with ECN executions and tight spreads.
Stocks Trading
Trade stocks with zero commissions and ultra-fast trade executions.
About Kwakol Markets
Kwakol offers trading on the MT4 & MT5 platforms with high leverage & copy trading.
What Is Bitcoin?
Before we get into Bitcoin vs Ethereum, BTC vs ETH, let us first explore what Bitcoin is, though some may say it needs no introduction. It was the first decentralized, digital currency and was announced in 2008 by a person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Following its announcement, the first and second blocks were mined on and after January 3rd, 2009, signalling the beginning of Bitcoin mining and the blockchain as we know it today.
In the years following its inception, Bitcoin’s price grew slowly and steadily. However, in 2017 everything changed, the crypto world boomed causing prices of all cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, to skyrocket. By December 2017, Bitcoin hit a high of $19,783.06. The initial bubble burst after this but November 2020 saw a new high of $19,850.11 reached. As recently as September 2021, the price of one Bitcoin was $50,128. Today’s price, as well as live and previous price charts, can be found on websites like CoinMarketCap.
Considering the main uses of Bitcoin vs Ethereum, BTC is a list of transactions, stored on a blockchain network. Despite the images of coins with the coin logo on them, there is no physical form to the tokens, it is purely digital. The transactions on the blockchain are statements as simple as person A sent Bitcoin to person B. This information is stored in blocks, which are verified by miners, ensuring each transaction is genuine and that Bitcoins are not used twice.
There are hundreds of uses for Bitcoin, with the most popular being investing in the cryptoasset itself. The price fluctuates heavily within days or weeks, presenting opportunities for traders with a keen eye to make a profit. However, that is not the only use for Bitcoin. Many services online accept Bitcoin as a method of payment. Also, in June 2021, El Salvador officially became the first country in the world to accept Bitcoin, and any cryptocurrency for that matter, as a legal tender.
What Is Ethereum?
When comparing Bitcoin vs Ethereum, it can seem like the two are inherent rivals, but this is not necessarily the case. Ethereum was launched in 2015 by a group of developers who were blockchain enthusiasts, including Joe Lubin and Vitalik Buterin. Technically, Ethereum itself is not a cryptocurrency. Ethereum is the largest and most well-established, open-ended decentralized software platform. Using its smart contract technology, developers can build their own applications. As a result, a lot of the cryptocurrencies you see today are built and run using the Ethereum smart contract technology.
When many people refer to Ethereum, what they really mean is Ether (ETH). Ether is the native cryptocurrency, designed to be used on the Ethereum network. The two names can be used interchangeably, but Ether is the actual currency. Ether was launched for pre-sale in 2014 and has grown to become Bitcoin’s biggest competitor. By the end of 2015, Ethereum was the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, and, in March 2016, it had become the second-largest, behind Bitcoin.
Both Bitcoin vs Ethereum, like many cryptos, benefitted from the 2017 bubble, reaching a peak value of $1,396.42. In April 2020, Ethereum hit a new peak at $4,168.70 as the crypto world experienced another spike. Today’s price can also be found online with crypto exchanges and information sites like CoinMarketCap. Ethereum has many uses. Like Bitcoin, many people try to use the fluctuations to buy and sell coins and make a profit. Similarly, people all over the world are now able to use Ethereum to pay for a variety of goods and services.
Bitcoin Vs Ethereum Similarities
Bitcoin vs Ethereum compares two quite similar entities, they are both decentralized, digital currencies that can be traded on a range of platforms and through a range of systems (including spot or leverage trading). Both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are traded on a long-term and short-term basis, in some cases being used as a store of value, and the similarities do not end there:
Fees
While not identical, fees for Bitcoin vs Ethereum are quite similar. On average, the fee per Bitcoin transaction is around USD 7, while for Ethereum it is around USD 5. In the grand scheme of things, these fees are very similar. They are both used for the same purpose, to pay network assistants that have verified blocks on the blockchain as part of the mining process. The Bitcoin fees are slightly higher as they have to pay more to their miners, largely due to the greater value of Bitcoin.
Storage & Transactions
Looking at Bitcoin vs Ethereum, the storage and transaction mechanisms are extremely similar. The two currencies are both bought and traded on almost every cryptocurrency exchange available. You would be hard pushed to find an exchange that did not offer both. The two coins can be traded on decentralised exchanges (DEXs), centralised exchanges (CEXs) and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading platforms where users trade directly with each other and exert more control over the price.
Storage is also the same for each cryptocurrency. A wallet is required to store any coins you purchase and own. This wallet can come in a variety of forms, including hot or cold wallets, as well as digital and hardware wallets.
Proof Of Work
Both Bitcoin vs Ethereum use the proof of work system. This is a method that requires a large amount of effort to be exerted to verify transactions on the blockchain. Network participants, or miners, solve mathematical puzzles using hash algorithms to find the correct answer and be the first to mine the block. This process verifies any transactions involving the coins, as well as generating new coins that are rewarded to the miners for their work.
Bitcoin Vs Ethereum Differences
Even with all their similarities, the Bitcoin vs Ethereum debate presents many more differences:
Market Capitalisation
Market cap is one area in the Bitcoin vs Ethereum comparison that varies massively. For years, Bitcoin has dominated the rankings of cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation. In September 2021, Bitcoin had a market cap of over $780 billion compared to Ethereum’s $336 billion, which is over double.
Ethereum may be the second-largest coin by market cap but there is still a way to go to get close to Bitcoin. However, market cap charts show that Ethereum is closing the gap, albeit slowly. In August 2020, Bitcoin had a market cap of over $215 billion, while Ethereum had a cap of $43 billion, smaller by a ratio of five. The difference is closing and, perhaps in the future, Ethereum could overtake Bitcoin come 2025 or 2030, forecasts show it could be possible. As well as market cap, Bitcoin also experiences close to double the trading volume of Ethereum.
Smart Contracts
One of the biggest differences between Bitcoin vs Ethereum is the overall aim of each network. Bitcoin was founded as an alternative to regular fiat currencies (national currencies like the US dollar) and as such was intended to be a store of value or a medium of exchange.
Ethereum, on the other hand, was designed as a platform to facilitate programmatic contracts and applications via its currency. For dummies, a so-called ‘smart contract’ is simply a program stored on a blockchain that runs when predetermined conditions are met. Ethereum is built on trying to elevate the online community and DeFi world. Right now, there are over 3,000 decentralized apps (dapps) running on the Ethereum blockchain, many of which are cryptocurrencies of their own. This marks a stark difference from Bitcoin’s mission.
Distribution
Bitcoin vs Ethereum’s distribution systems differ. Bitcoin has a limited supply of 21 million coins and, once that is reached, no more coins will be added. Ethereum, however, has no limit. Theoretically, more and more coins could be added until there were an infinite number. While this could seem like an advantage to Bitcoin as scarcity drives worth, Ethereum already has significantly more coins in circulation and still holds value.
Mining Profitability & Energy Usage
One key difference relates to Ethereum’s (ETH) energy and power usage vs Bitcoin’s (BTC). Both Bitcoin and Ethereum currently use the proof-of-work system, whereby blocks are mined to verify transactions, add them to the blockchain and generate new coins, though the energy consumption levels vary greatly for each.
On average, Bitcoin requires 707 kWh of electricity annually, while Ethereum used 62.56 kWh of energy in 2021. It is still possible to use GPU mining systems for Ethereum, whereas Bitcoin generally requires application-specific integrated units (ASICs). As a result of all this, mining profitability calculators show Ethereum to be the more desirable option as the equipment is cheaper and it uses less energy, meaning greater returns. However, big changes are coming soon…
Proof Of Stake
Earlier, we listed proof-of-work as a similarity in the Bitcoin vs Ethereum comparison and that is true. However, in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, Ethereum will move to the proof-of-stake system in 2022. This is a system that does not incentivise energy consumption in the same way that proof-of-work does. Instead, validators are selected in proportion to their staked holdings in the associated cryptocurrency. Many ‘green’ coins, like Cardano, have successfully championed this method and received acclaim. Once in place, Ethereum’s carbon footprint and environmental output will reduce greatly, leaving Bitcoin on its own as one of the largest carbon emitters of the DeFi world.
Transaction Speed
In terms of transaction speed when comparing Bitcoin vs Ethereum. the latter is the quicker of the two. On average, Ethereum processes around 10-15 transactions per second, compared to Bitcoin’s 3-5. Moreover, with Ethereum 2.0 on the way, the transaction speed for Ethereum is expected to greatly improve again, pulling further ahead of Bitcoin.
Value
There is a large difference in the value of Bitcoin vs Ethereum. In September 2021, Bitcoin was worth around $42,000, whereas Ethereum was worth a mere $3,000 in comparison, over 14 times smaller. In the past, 1 Bitcoin or 32 Ethereum had the same value and Ethereum has been closing the gap, though it remains much lower than Bitcoin’s value.
Pros Of Bitcoin For Traders
- Largest value
- High volatility
- Largest market cap
- Larger trading volume
- Smaller circulating supply
- Most widely accepted cryptocurrency
Pros Of Ethereum For Traders
- High volatility
- More versatile
- Green ambitions
- Lower energy usage
- Slightly lower gas fees
- Quicker transaction speeds
Final Word On Bitcoin Vs Ethereum
Bitcoin vs Ethereum are the two largest and best-known cryptocurrencies. Despite the large age difference (Bitcoin was founded in 2009 compared to Ethereum’s 2015 inception), Ethereum has kept pace with Bitcoin and remained its closest competitor. While Bitcoin dominates in terms of market cap and value, Ethereum is working its way back, bringing constant improvements like Ethereum 2.0, which will drastically lower the carbon footprint and potentially bring many new customers. Both Ethereum and Bitcoin are potentially worthwhile investments and stores of value, follow this comparison to decide which works best for you.
FAQs
Is Bitcoin Vs Ethereum Better To Mine?
For now, Ethereum is considered the better option to mine. However, this will not be possible soon as Ethereum is moving to the less energy-focussed proof of stake system. When this happens, mining will be replaced by staking.
Is Bitcoin Vs Ethereum A Better Investment 2021?
If you are looking to invest, there is no simple answer as to which is better between Bitcoin vs Ethereum. Generally, the price movements show a large correlation and they move up and down together.
Will Bitcoin Vs Ethereum Grow More?
Predicting the future is difficult but it is likely the two giants will continue to grow, even if just through inflation. Many forecasters believe Ethereum could reach and surpass Bitcoin’s market capitalisation.
Does Bitcoin Vs Ethereum Use More Energy?
Bitcoin uses significantly more energy, 707 KWh compared to Ethereum’s 62.56 KWh. This gap is only going to widen as Ethereum moves to a proof of stake model to reduce its carbon footprint.
Where Can I Find Bitcoin Vs Ethereum’s Values?
Both crypto values can be found on CoinMarketCap. The site also lists information such as market cap and trading volume, as well as ranking over 11,000 cryptocurrencies.