<span style="font-weight: 400;">Bitcoin, while a relatively new phenomenon in the world of cryptocurrency, has become a topic of polarizing discussion as its value skyrockets. You might have heard the term “Bitcoin” and dismissed it as something irrelevant or even ridiculous. But the truth is that Bitcoin and its underlying technology, blockchain, are poised to revolutionize many sectors. One of the most significant areas blockchain will have an impact on is finance. Blockchain technology brings with it a myriad of advantages that have caught the eye of many banks and investors around the world. One such advantage is its ability to facilitate transactions quickly and easily, at low costs, and with high levels of security. Bitcoin, along with other cryptocurrencies, is already starting to be used as currency for merchants throughout the world.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">With the launch of Ethereum in 2016, a cryptocurrency that is reportedly 10 times more powerful than Bitcoin, this area is set to grow considerably even further. Ethereum is geared towards creating smart contracts that are executed automatically. Unlike Bitcoin’s blockchain, these smart contracts cannot be altered after they have been created and cannot be mined by a central authority though they can still be voted on by many users. Instead of being used as a currency, Ethereum’s blockchain is used to execute smart contracts that are stored in the blockchain. This makes the technology nearly impossible to hack or manipulate, eliminating centralized control while helping to eliminate fraud and errors in financial transactions. The bitcoin market is so volatile right now and if you're waiting for the best time to trade then </span><a href="https://bitcoinsmarter.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>bitcoinsmarter.net</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will help with that!</span>
<h2><b>Introducing Bitcoin and Ethereum:</b></h2>
<h3><b>Bitcoin</b></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the most talked about, and mysterious aspects of blockchain <a href="https://www.inbusinessworld.com/keeping-up-with-current-trends-the-importance-of-functional-technology/">technology</a> are Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency that can be used to send and receive payments or store value. Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin has no physical form and cannot be used to purchase items or exchanged at banks or other institutions. Instead, it exists on the internet as encrypted codes that are linked to an address. The address is a public key, and the private key can be used to verify the original address.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bitcoin network is made up of nodes that are connected using a peer-to-peer system. Transactions are stored on these nodes and record each state of the network and its history. This allows it to be traced back to the originator of each transaction which prevents individuals from <a href="https://www.inbusinessworld.com/mining-of-bitcoin-promising-business-from-android/">modifying</a> transactions or altering their value on the blockchain. As the new currency is issued (through a process known as mining), users are given Bitcoins based on the power of their computer and how many transactions they process within a certain time frame. Each Bitcoin transaction is logged in the blockchain in a block that consists of several transactions.</span>
<h3><b>Ethereum</b></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Ethereum is a new cryptocurrency that was created in 2015. The currency is based on the same principles of blockchain technology as Bitcoin and functions similarly to it, but with some key differences. Ethereum is a blockchain-based computing platform focused on running decentralized applications. By its own design, Ethereum facilitates the execution of smart contract applications that are executed automatically by the network through the use of blockchain technology. Instead of relying on miners to validate transactions, these transactions are validated by validators who also keep copies of the blockchain.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The public blockchain records all of these transactions, and, through cryptography, developers can build their own applications that run on top of Ethereum’s blockchain. Smart contracts are encoded in programming code that is stored in the blockchain. These contracts then execute themselves automatically when the conditions specified on them are met. This eliminates the need for a third party to oversee transactions and prevents users from manipulating transactions after they have been carried out.</span>
<h2><b>Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: The Key Differences</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/031416/bitcoin-vs-ethereum-driven-different-purposes.asp#:~:text=Bitcoin%20is%20primarily%20designed%20to,%2C%20smart%20contracts%2C%20and%20NFTs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>key difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is that Ethereum can be used for more than just mining the currency. Blockchain technology can be used to facilitate the execution of smart contracts. Smart contracts are coded in a computer language that, when entered into the Ethereum network, automatically execute themselves when the following conditions are met. But unlike smart contracts involving only currency transactions, smart contracts also have the ability to execute other actions such as transferring ownership of property or executing insurance policy payments automatically. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Another important difference is that nodes on Bitcoin’s blockchain are controlled by miners, but Ethereum’s blockchain is controlled by validators. Nodes on the Bitcoin blockchain store individual copies of the entire transaction history, meaning all information must be passed on to each node. In contrast, Ethereum’s blockchain stores only the current version of accounts, and all changes are passed along to each node.</span>
<h2><b>Conclusion:</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">These are a few of the many reasons blockchain is going to be such a revolutionary technology, particularly when it comes to financing and <a href="https://www.inbusinessworld.com/how-to-apply-for-a-bank-account/">banking</a>. We may have only just begun to see the true potential of this technology, but already there have been many positive outcomes that have been noticed. Bitcoin has helped reduce fraud for online merchants and online banks by making it easier for them to collect payments from their customers.</span>