Ether vs. Shiba Inu: Which Is the Better Buy?

Ether and Shiba Inu are two of the most popular cryptocurrencies you can buy, but one offers far more potential than the other.

Cryptocurrencies like Ether and Shiba Inu can offer a lot of potential, but they are also quite volatile. This makes it crucial to ensure you’re buying the right ones. Not only can you miss out on major gains if you own the wrong cryptocurrency, but as we’ve seen with Dogecoin over the last few months, there’s no guarantee that these cryptocurrencies always go up.

In general, many investors are bullish on the industry. But that certainly doesn’t mean each cryptocurrency will survive.

So when Dogecoin was falling with the rest of the industry prior to the summer, it was somewhat normal. Now that the industry has recovered and top cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether have reached new all-time highs, though, it’s concerning for other cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin that are still struggling when the industry clearly continues to gain in popularity.

Is Shiba Inu worth an investment?

One of the reasons Dogecoin has likely fallen out of favour is that a lot of investors have switched their focus to Shiba Inu, another so-called meme token. And to be fair, Shiba Inu does have more use cases than Dogecoin. However, there are still many drawbacks, and there is no way it should be one of the top 11 most valuable cryptocurrencies.

Ether, on the other hand, is the second most valuable cryptocurrency, and some could make the argument that it should pass Bitcoin to become the top valued digital coin.

Ether and the Ethereum blockchain have created an enticing opportunity and almost everyone that’s bullish on the cryptocurrency industry would tell you that Ether is one of the best investments you can make.

So in my view, if you’re wondering whether to buy Shiba Inu or Ether, it’s not even close. Ether and other blockchain networks that are EVM compatible and can run smart contracts are some of the best cryptocurrencies to invest in today.

And with Ethereum 2.0 in the process of rolling out, the potential for Ether only continues to improve. Right now, if you want to invest in Shiba Inu and send it to your wallet, you’re going to need to buy Ether anyway to pay for the transaction. And that’s not the only reason you would need to own Ether.

So rather than speculate on Shiba Inu, taking a long-term position in Ether for the long run seems like a far better investment.

How to gain exposure to Ether?

One of the ways you can gain exposure to Ether is by actually buying the cryptocurrency. If you’re going to buy, it though, keep in mind that transaction costs and gas prices when you send it to your wallet. This may sound like a hassle, but if you’re ever going to buy NFTs or do anything DeFi-related (including buying Shiba Inu), then you’re going to need Ether in your wallet.

Another way you could gain exposure to Ether is with a mining stock such as HIVE Blockchain Technologies, which mines Ether, among other cryptocurrencies.

These mining stocks can offer a tonne of growth potential, but their operations aren’t completely straightforward, and they won’t always follow the price of their underlying cryptocurrencies. So if that still doesn’t sound attractive you could also consider an ETF that buys and holds the Ether for you.

Whichever investment you buy, make sure you understand why it has potential and then commit to it for the long term. These cryptocurrencies and the stocks that follow them can be highly volatile. But if you take a long-term approach and avoid speculative investments like Shiba Inu, you stand to see some massive gains.

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 Daniel  Da Costa has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Contribution Limit Stays at $7,000 for 2025: What to Buy?

This TFSA strategy can boost yield and reduce risk.

Read more »

calculate and analyze stock
Investing

3 No-Brainer TSX Stocks Under $50

These under-$50 TSX stocks have solid growth potential and can deliver significant returns over time, beating the benchmark index.

Read more »

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

Already a TFSA Millionaire? Watch Out for These CRA Traps

TFSA millionaires are mindful of CRA traps to avoid paying unnecessary taxes and penalties.

Read more »

A plant grows from coins.
Stocks for Beginners

1 Canadian Stock Ready to Surge In 2025

First Quantum stock is one Canadian stock investors should seriously consider going into 2025, and hold on for life!

Read more »

doctor uses telehealth
Tech Stocks

What to Know About Canadian Small-Cap Stocks for 2025

Small cap stocks are a great way to experience outsized gains. Here is what you need to know about small…

Read more »

Canada Day fireworks over two Adirondack chairs on the wooden dock in Ontario, Canada
Tech Stocks

Best Tech Stocks for Canadian Investors in the New Year

Three tech stocks are the best options for Canadians investing in the high-growth sector.

Read more »

Happy golf player walks the course
Dividend Stocks

Got $7,000? 5 Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

These blue-chip stocks are reliable options for investors seeking steady capital gains and attractive returns through dividends.

Read more »

Electricity transmission towers with orange glowing wires against night sky
Investing

Fortis: Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025?

Fortis is giving back some of the 2024 gains. Is FTS stock now oversold?

Read more »