Explaining Bitcoin versus Crypto

Explaining Bitcoin versus Crypto

I think the best way to explain this controversial topic to some, is as follows. Let's use the idea of innovation and evolution. Imagine we're back in the early days of the internet. At first, there was just email. Simple, revolutionary, but limited. Then came websites, e-commerce, social media, streaming services, and so on. Each new layer of innovation didn't replace the previous one, it added to the ecosystem. That's what's happening with crypto. Bitcoin was the first, and it's incredible, like the internet's email. But now we've got Ethereum, Solana, Chainlink, and others, which are like the internet's websites, apps, and platforms. They're building on the foundation Bitcoin laid, creating new possibilities.

If you're new to this space, you would have picked up that some people believe Bitcoin is the only crypto that matters, and I get it, it's the most secure, the most decentralized, and it's proven itself over time. But saying Bitcoin is the only crypto worth owning is like saying email is the only thing the internet is good for. It's just not true. The world is moving toward a multi-chain future because different blockchains are optimized for different things. Bitcoin is great for storing value, but Ethereum is amazing for smart contracts, Solana is built for speed, and so on. Each has its role.

If you're investing in crypto, it's like investing in the early internet. You wouldn't just buy shares in one company, right? You'd want exposure to Google, Amazon, Facebook, because you don't know which will dominate in the long run, and they all serve different purposes. The same goes for crypto. Owning a basket of the top tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and so on, gives you exposure to the entire ecosystem and its growth.

The point is, crypto isn't just about money or payments. It's about creating a new digital economy. A decentralized internet where value can move as freely as information does today. That's why it's not just about Bitcoin. It's about the entire ecosystem working together to build this future.

So although Bitcoin is the foundation layer, and yes, there are thousands of cryptocurrencies that have failed or will go to zero. You cannot dismiss the entire space. Across multiple blockchains, there are genuine real-world use cases and solutions being built that address everything from global payments to decentralised finance, supply chain tracking, and digital identity. In what I believe will be a multi-chain world, owning a carefully selected basket of the top projects allows you to participate in this emerging asset class, while diversifying your risk. This could prove to be one of the fastest wealth creation opportunities in all recorded history, and it's not something you want to sit on the sidelines for.

By Derek Brauteseth - 10 August 2025