EDUCATIONAL COMPARISON · BTC AND ETH
Bitcoin and Ethereum: compare uses and networks
Explore each network’s uses, fees and custody considerations, then view charts using the same venue and quote currency. This comparison does not choose an investment for you.
| Comparison | Bitcoin BTC | Ethereum ETH |
|---|---|---|
| Main uses | Transferring and holding digital value on the Bitcoin network | Transferring value and running smart contracts and applications; ETH is the network’s native asset |
| Consensus mechanism | Proof of work and mining | Proof of stake and validators |
| Supply | A defined maximum of 21 million BTC | Changes through issuance and burning, without a Bitcoin-style fixed maximum |
| Native network fees | Affected by transaction data size and demand for block space | Affected by gas used and the gas price; paid in ETH |
| Wallets | Must support native BTC and the intended network | Must support the network and token; review application permissions when using them |
| Other networks | Lightning and wrapped tokens are not the same transfer as native Bitcoin on its base network | Layer-two networks have different properties, fees and bridges; check the recipient network |
A lower unit price alone does not establish that an asset is cheaper. Supply, market capitalisation, uses and risks are different measures. Fees and execution times change.
View both charts without mixing quote currencies
Both charts use Coinbase data through TradingView, quoted in USD. The default candle interval is daily. Check the interval, latest candle time and data status in each chart.
BTC / USD
ETH / USD
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References: Bitcoin FAQ، What is Ethereum?، Gas fees. Content reviewed: 27 October 2026.