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Bitcoin and Ethereum are the two giants of crypto, but they serve very different purposes. Bitcoin is digital gold — a store of value. Ethereum is a platform for building apps. Here's how they compare and which you should buy.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Bitcoin (BTC) | Ethereum (ETH) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price | ~£40,000 | ~£2,500 |
| Market Cap | £800 billion | £300 billion |
| Purpose | Digital currency / Store of value | Smart contracts / Apps platform |
| Max Supply | 21 million (fixed) | Unlimited (but controlled) |
| Energy Use | High (Proof of Work) | 99.95% less (Proof of Stake) |
| Transaction Speed | 7 per second | 30/sec (15,000+ with upgrades) |
| Founded | 2009 | 2015 |
| Best For | Long-term holders | Risk-tolerant investors |
Bitcoin: Digital Gold
Strengths
- ✅ Most established (15 years old)
- ✅ Most secure (never been hacked)
- ✅ Limited supply creates scarcity
- ✅ Accepted by Tesla, Microsoft, etc.
- ✅ Lower volatility than other cryptos
Weaknesses
- ❌ Slow (7 transactions per second)
- ❌ High energy consumption
- ❌ Limited functionality (just payments)
- ❌ Less innovation than Ethereum
Ethereum: The World Computer
Strengths
- ✅ More than just currency (platform for apps)
- ✅ Fast innovation (major upgrades happening)
- ✅ 99.95% more energy efficient after the Merge
- ✅ DeFi ecosystem ($100+ billion locked)
- ✅ Larger developer community
Weaknesses
- ❌ More complex (harder to understand)
- ❌ Higher volatility
- ❌ No fixed supply (inflation risk)
- ❌ Competition from Solana, Cardano, etc.
Investment Performance
| Year | Bitcoin | Ethereum |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +300% | +470% |
| 2021 | +60% | +400% |
| 2022 | -64% | -67% |
| 2023 | +156% | +91% |
| 2024 | +120% | +85% |
Which Should You Buy?
Choose Bitcoin if you:
- Want simpler, more established investment
- Prefer 'digital gold' store of value
- Are risk-averse (less volatile)
- Plan to hold 5-10+ years
Choose Ethereum if you:
- Believe in DeFi/NFT/Web3 future
- Want higher potential returns (higher risk)
- Interested in technology behind it
- Okay with more volatility
Best Strategy: Own Both
| Risk Level | Bitcoin | Ethereum |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 70% | 30% |
| Balanced | 60% | 40% |
| Aggressive | 40% | 60% |
Future Outlook (2026-2030)
| Prediction | Bitcoin | Ethereum |
|---|---|---|
| Bullish | £100,000-500,000 | £10,000-20,000 |
| Realistic | £60,000-150,000 | £5,000-12,000 |
| Bearish | £20,000-50,000 | £1,000-2,000 |
Tax Note: Trading between BTC and ETH triggers Capital Gains Tax in the UK! Tax-free allowance is £3,000/year (2026). Don't forget to report.
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Sento earns a referral if you click through our links — this never affects our recommendations. Prices and details correct at time of publication. Updated February 2026.