Ethereum Could Overtake Bitcoin Soon

Ethereum could overtake Bitcoin. Whatever happens, HIVE Blockchain Technologies (TSX:HIVE) will share in the growth.

| More on:

Ethereum is rapidly closing in on Bitcoin’s market cap.

According to Coinmarketcap.com, Ethereum is now worth US$392 billion compared to Bitcoin’s US$1 trillion. At this rate, ETH would need to rise about 156% in order to catch up with Bitcoin — if the price of the latter doesn’t change.

It was never guaranteed that Bitcoin would remain the world’s largest crypto forever. With faster transactions and more versatile use cases, ETH is arguably the “better” cryptocurrency. Still, that doesn’t guarantee that ETH actually will eclipse Bitcoin. BTC is still the most widely used crypto, giving it a massive incumbent advantage. In this article, I’ll explore the gains that Ethereum has made on Bitcoin and whether they could continue.

Ethereum’s market cap approaching that of Bitcoin

So far this year, Ethereum has gone from US$730 to US$3,286 — a 350% gain. In the same period, Bitcoin has risen from US$29,388 to US$55,456 — about an 88% gain. Both of these assets have rocketed upward in price in a short timeframe. But Ethereum’s gains have been far more impressive. If both coins were to continue gaining at their current rates, Ethereum would eclipse Bitcoin’s market cap in under two years.

Will all of this continue?

It’s one thing to note that Ethereum has been gaining on Bitcoin, but quite another to say that it will continue. While Ethereum has its advantages, Bitcoin still has

  • More vendors accepting it as a currency;
  • More publicity; and
  • The first-mover advantage.

These aren’t insignificant advantages. But then again, Ethereum’s adoption is rapidly picking up steam. So, ultimately, it’s impossible to say which cryptocurrency will be king of the castle in a year. Both ETH and BTC have a lot going for them.

A TSX stock that profits from BOTH Ethereum and Bitcoin!

If you’d like to profit from both Bitcoin and Ethereum without having to choose between them, you could consider investing in mining stocks — companies that make money by mining crypto. As the two largest cryptocurrencies, BTC and ETH are staples of these companies’ operations. So, by investing in them, you can profit from the growth in crypto as a whole.

Consider HIVE Blockchain Technologies (TSX:HIVE), for example. It’s a company that mines BTC and ETH in climate controlled data centres. Its servers are located in naturally cold areas like Iceland and Sweden, which reduces the need for cooling. Not only does this lower costs, but it also lessens the environmental impact of mining — a factor that ESG investors might be interested in.

In its most recent quarter, HIVE posted

  • $13 million in mining income (up from $5 million);
  • $17 million in net income (up from $3 million); and
  • $0.05 in diluted EPS (up from $0.01).

These were pretty impressive results. And as long as Bitcoin and Ethereum keep rising, they should continue. If it remains profitable to mine crypto, HIVE will keep making money. This makes its stock a decent way to play the cryptocurrency craze without having to choose one coin over the other.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Andrew Button has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

think thought consider
Tech Stocks

Is CGI Stock a Buy Even With No Dividend Yield?

CGI stock may not have a dividend to speak of. But does that necessarily mean you should ignore this top…

Read more »

A robotic hand interacting with a visual AI touchscreen display.
Tech Stocks

Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Canadian AI Stocks

Are you looking for one of the most solid Canadian AI stocks out there? This one is probably your best…

Read more »

The letters AI glowing on a circuit board processor.
Tech Stocks

Why AI Stocks Should Be in Every Canadian Investor’s Portfolio

AI stocks continue to be one of the best options out there for long-term investing, especially when considering Canadian options.

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Bank Stocks

Canadian Bank Stocks: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

There are opportunities and risks on the horizon for the Canadian banks.

Read more »

Young Boy with Jet Pack Dreams of Flying
Stock Market

Is Air Canada Stock a Good Buy After Its Q3 Results

Down almost 60% from all-time highs, Air Canada is an undervalued TSX stock that remains an enticing investment in November…

Read more »

cloud computing
Investing

Where to Invest $10,000 in November

Given their solid underlying businesses and healthy growth prospects, I expect these two defensive stocks to outperform uncertain outlook.

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Retirement

Here’s the Average RRSP Balance at Age 44 for Canadians

Holding stocks like Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) in an RRSP is a good way to build your wealth.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Want a 7% Yield? The 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Today

These TSX stocks are offering high yields of over 7%, making them attractive for investors seeking steady passive income.

Read more »