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Bitcoin vs Litecoin
BTC vs LTC
Two of crypto’s most-discussed assets, side-by-side. Key differences, recent coverage from TheChainPost, and an FAQ for both — no investment advice, no price predictions.
Layer 1
Bitcoin (BTC)
Sound-money Layer 1. 21-million supply cap. Proof-of-work.
- Launched
- 2009
- Consensus
- Proof-of-Work (SHA-256)
Layer 1
Litecoin (LTC)
Bitcoin fork with 2.5-minute blocks. Scrypt PoW, merge-mined with DOGE.
- Launched
- 2011
- Consensus
- Proof-of-Work (Scrypt)
At a glance
| Bitcoin (BTC) | Litecoin (LTC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 2009 | 2011 |
| Consensus | Proof-of-Work (SHA-256) | Proof-of-Work (Scrypt) |
| Category | Layer 1 | Layer 1 |
Latest BTC + LTC coverage
Proof of Stake vs Proof of Work: Beyond the Slogans
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Spot Bitcoin ETFs and direct BTC ownership look identical on the surface. The differences show up in custody, taxes, fees, and edge cases.
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Bitcoin vs Litecoin FAQ
- What is Bitcoin?
- Bitcoin (BTC) is the first decentralised cryptocurrency, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. It uses a proof-of-work consensus to settle transactions without a central issuer, and its supply is capped at 21 million coins.
- Who controls Bitcoin?
- No single entity controls Bitcoin. A distributed network of miners secures the ledger, node operators enforce the rules, and developers propose protocol changes through Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) that must reach rough consensus to ship.
- What is Litecoin?
- Litecoin (LTC) is a proof-of-work cryptocurrency launched in October 2011 by Charlie Lee, a fork of Bitcoin with shorter block times (2.5 min vs 10) and the Scrypt hashing algorithm. It targets a "silver to Bitcoin's gold" positioning.
- What is MimbleWimble on Litecoin?
- Activated in May 2022, the MimbleWimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) let users opt in to confidential transactions on Litecoin. It's a side-chain style upgrade — hash-linked to the main chain but with hidden amounts for those who choose to use it.
- How do Bitcoin and Litecoin compare?
- Bitcoin (BTC): Sound-money Layer 1. 21-million supply cap. Proof-of-work. Launched 2009, runs Proof-of-Work (SHA-256). Litecoin (LTC): Bitcoin fork with 2.5-minute blocks. Scrypt PoW, merge-mined with DOGE. Launched 2011, runs Proof-of-Work (Scrypt). These are two structurally different designs — read the news feed above for recent developments on each, and consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decision.
General information, not investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile — do your own research and consult a qualified advisor before making decisions.