{"id":1777,"date":"2019-07-14T12:04:25","date_gmt":"2019-07-14T19:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coincentral.com\/?p=1777"},"modified":"2021-10-01T20:24:15","modified_gmt":"2021-10-02T00:24:15","slug":"litecoin-vs-bitcoin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coincentral.com\/litecoin-vs-bitcoin\/","title":{"rendered":"Litecoin vs Bitcoin: Comparing Two of The Most Popular Cryptocurrencies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Litecoin vs Bitcoin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Litecoin vs Bitcoin. Which one is better? Everyone from qualified economists to Redditors have been comparing the two since Litecoin <\/a>came into existence in 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

The conversation not only discusses these coins individually and against each other, but also pertains to a more complex debate over what it takes to become a successful cryptocurrency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bitcoin <\/a>is the clear poster-child for the crypto-community. However, Litecoin has developed a user base from those who are skeptical of some aspects of Bitcoin but still strongly believe in the future of cryptos.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Bitcoin and Litecoin have some slight technical differences, they both set out to accomplish the same thing: transfer value using cryptographic principles. Yet once the two coins face off, it\u2019s clear why Bitcoin has come out the winner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Litecoin vs Bitcoin: At a Glance<\/span><\/h2>\n

Note:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>On mobile devices, swipe and scroll table.<\/span><\/p>\n

[lptw_table id=”1779″ style=”default”]<\/p>\n

We can compare cryptocurrencies from many angles, but the most popular method is looking at their market capitalization. Market cap is essentially the amount of currency on the market (usually in U.S. dollars). <\/span>Bitcoin is currently ranked number one with a market cap of over $56 billion, and Litecoin is ranked fifth with a market cap of $2.56 billion<\/b>. =<\/span><\/p>\n

You might be thinking, <\/span>So why are we talking about Litecoin?<\/span><\/i> Its market cap may be a tiny sliver of cake compared to Bitcoin\u2019s $45 billion, but it\u2019s one of the few altcoins with an active user base and legitimate credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

(You can view current market caps in the table above to see how they’ve changed since this article was published.)<\/p>\n

\"Bitcoin<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Litecoin functions like Bitcoin: It is an online payment system that uses cryptocurrency instead of a national currency like U.S, dollars, Bitcoin and Litecoin carry out transactions using bitcoin and Litecoin respectively. As cryptocurrencies, they both garner a similar community and image, as well as rely on similar cryptographic principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bitcoin was released in 2009 as the first cryptocurrency. Litecoin launched only two years later in 2011 but has been sprinting to catch up to Bitcoin ever since.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Litecoin<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Litecoin\u2019s developers have stated that their intention <\/span>was to create a \u201csilver\u201d to Bitcoin\u2019s \u201cgold.\u201d<\/b> Although Litecoin tech is arguably better than Bitcoin\u2019s, it was born inferior.<\/span><\/p>\n

Litecoin vs Bitcoin: At Depth<\/span><\/h2>\n

The two cryptos may seem similar, but they are actually quite distinct in their market acceptance and technical mechanics.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the following four points, we will discuss what makes each crypto distinct. You will come to understand how Litecoin\u2019s arguably superior algorithm will likely forever be subordinate due to Bitcoin\u2019s pervasive network.<\/span><\/p>\n

1) Bitcoin is Much More Popular<\/h3>\n

With a market cap roughly 22.5x the size of Litecoin\u2019s<\/strong>, Bitcoin\u2019s overwhelming popularity makes it the obvious choice for the crypto investment community.<\/p>\n