If not, what is the relationship, if any, between Ethereum and Bitcoin and/or the Bitcoin blockchain?
1 Answer
Bitcoin and Ethereum have different and unique blockchains. They have no relationship (other than the fact that Ethereum and all other cryptcurrencies based their design on the Bitcoin blockchain).
-
1Right, in that case, why do I keep hearing that Ethereum complements Bitcoin? And if Ethereum is as amazing as some of the hype out there, can it eventually replace Bitcoin?– OrganicJun 1, 2016 at 14:44
-
@Organic It could replace Bitcoin. Ethereum has a much more advanced scripting language, which is its strength (and weakness). Bitcoin is simpler (more elegant) and has a much larger support base.– GeremiaJun 1, 2016 at 15:15
-
Bitcoin is more focused on being a currency, while Ethereum is more focused on being a smart contract platform. They both play their roles well, even though they are separate roles with some overlap. That is what people mean when they say they complement each other.– JestinJun 1, 2016 at 15:40
-
@Geremia I thought Ethereum "inventors" originally said it specifically does not want to be a currency and gas certainly isn't. Did they change their mind? Anyway, Bitcoin is already hard to scale as a currency, adding a bunch of unrelated stuff on top certainly isn't going to make that easier.– JannesJun 1, 2016 at 16:09
-
@Jannes Is Bitcoin even a currency? Many people hold different opinions on that question.– GeremiaJun 1, 2016 at 16:17