Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: What's the Difference?

 Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: An Overview 

Ether (ETH), the cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, is arguably the second most popular digital token after bitcoin (BTC). Indeed, as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, comparisons between Ether and BTC are only natural.

Ether and bitcoin are similar in many ways: each is a digital currency traded via online exchanges and stored in various types of cryptocurrency wallets. Both of these tokens are decentralized, meaning that they are not issued or regulated by a central bank or other authority. Both make use of the distributed ledger technology known as blockchain. 

KEY TAKEAWAYs

• Bitcoin signaled the emergence of a radically new form of digital money that operates outside the control of any government or corporation.
• With time, people began to realize that one of the underlying innovations of bitcoin, the blockchain, could be utilized for other purposes. 
• Ethereum proposed to utilize blockchain technology not only for maintaining a decentralized payment network but also for storing computer code which can be used to power tamper-proof decentralized financial contracts and applications.
• Ethereum applications and contracts are powered by ether, the Ethereum network’s currency.
• Ether was intended to complement rather than compete with bitcoin, but it has nonetheless emerged as a competitor on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Dogecoin

 Dogecoin is a cryptocurrency with a fun and friendly brand picture that aims to be a supportive introduction to cryptocurrency. Billy Markus, an Oregon programmer, came up with the concept for a kind of "joke" cryptocurrency. He reasoned that a more lighthearted coin, rather than Bitcoin, would have a greater chance of gaining mainstream acceptance. Although Dogecoin is nowhere near the scale of Bitcoin, the 'joke' currency's market cap has risen from more than $1 billion in early January to $47 billion on Saturday, according to CoinMarketCap

What Is Dogecoin?

Dogecoin (DOGE) is a peer-to-peer, open-source cryptocurrency. It is considered an altcoin and an almost sarcastic meme coin. Launched in Dec. 2013, Dogecoin has the image of a Shiba Inu dog as its logo.

While it was created seemingly as a joke, Dogecoin's blockchain still has merit. Its underlying technology is derived from Litecoin. Notable features of Dogecoin, which uses a scrypt algorithm, are its low price and unlimited supply..

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Dogecoin is an open-source cryptocurrency started in 2013 by Jackson Palmer and Billy Markus.

Dogecoin initially started as a joke based on a popular meme featuring a Shiba Inu (a Japanese breed of dog).

It is based on Litecoin and has the same technology behind its proof-of-work.

Dogecoin has a loyal community of supporters who trade it and use it as a tipping currency for social media content.