BTC vs ETH: Bitcoin vs Ethereum — 2026 Comparison
This page compares Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) using the DeFi Intel research dataset. Native asset of the Bitcoin blockchain. First and largest cryptocurrency by market cap. Proof-of-work secured with a hard-capped supply of 21 million coins. Native asset of the Ethereum blockchain, used to pay gas fees and secure the network through proof-of-stake consensus. Launched in 2015 with smart contract support. As of the last data review, BTC ranks #1 by approximate market capitalisation (≈$1.4T) and ETH ranks #2 (≈$420B).
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Bitcoin (BTC) | Ethereum (ETH) |
|---|---|---|
| Market-cap rank | #1 | #2 |
| Approx market cap (USD) | $1.4T | $420B |
| Category | Layer 1 | Layer 1 |
| Chain(s) | Bitcoin | Ethereum |
| Token standard | native | native |
| Launched | January 2009 | July 2015 |
| Consensus role | PoW | PoS |
| Issuer | — | Ethereum Foundation |
| Issuer type | Decentralized (no single issuer) | Decentralized (no single issuer) |
| Total supply | 21,000,000 | 120,500,000 |
| Circulating supply | 19,700,000 | 120,500,000 |
| Max supply | 21,000,000 | uncapped |
Bitcoin (BTC) in brief
- Native asset of the Bitcoin blockchain. First and largest cryptocurrency by market cap. Proof-of-work secured with a hard-capped supply of 21 million coins.
- Launched January 2009.
- Chain-native asset of Bitcoin.
- Max supply: 21,000,000.
Full profile: Bitcoin (BTC) token page.
Ethereum (ETH) in brief
- Native asset of the Ethereum blockchain, used to pay gas fees and secure the network through proof-of-stake consensus. Launched in 2015 with smart contract support.
- Launched July 2015.
- Chain-native asset of Ethereum.
- No fixed max supply (uncapped).
- Issuer: Ethereum Foundation.
Full profile: Ethereum (ETH) token page.
Key differences (data view)
- BTC is the larger asset by market capitalisation: rank #1 (≈$1.4T) versus rank #2 (≈$420B) for ETH.
- BTC is the older asset — launched in 2009, 6 years before ETH (2015).
- They live on different chains — BTC: Bitcoin; ETH: Ethereum.
- BTC has a fixed max supply of 21,000,000; ETH has no supply cap.
- Both are classified as Layer 1 assets in the DeFi Intel dataset.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, BTC or ETH?
Bitcoin (BTC) is larger by market capitalisation: approximately $1.4T (rank #1) versus $420B (rank #2) for ETH, as of the last DeFi Intel data review.
When did Bitcoin and Ethereum launch?
Bitcoin launched in January 2009; Ethereum launched in July 2015.
Are BTC and ETH on the same chain?
No. BTC is on Bitcoin, while ETH is on Ethereum.
Does BTC or ETH have a fixed supply?
Bitcoin (BTC) has a fixed max supply of 21,000,000. Ethereum (ETH) has no fixed supply cap.
Related comparisons
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- ADA vs ETH
- APT vs BTC
- APT vs ETH
- AVAX vs BTC
- AVAX vs ETH
- Bitcoin (BTC) token profile
- Ethereum (ETH) token profile
- All DeFi Intel comparisons →
Methodology & sources
Every figure on this page is drawn from the DeFi Intel token research dataset — the same data that powers the BTC and ETH token profiles. Market capitalisations and supply figures are approximate snapshots from the last dataset review, not live quotes. DeFi Intel publishes editorial research, not financial advice.