Both, Ethereum, and Solana, are layer-one protocols. Each has many supporters and fans. True, Ethereum continues to revered as the superior blockchain Bitcoin prices. It is because it is a transparent, decentralized system. Furthermore, it has advanced Dapps in its kitty. Regardless, Solana is fast catching up with it. Outlined below are the differences between them.
The Drivers of the Blockchains
Table of Contents
1. Consensus Mechanism
Proof-of-work (PoW) is the consensus mechanism for Ethereum 1.0. Numerous miners take part in this process of consensus. They stake their hardware/computing power, like what Bitcoin Wallet do. On the positive side, not everyone can make an entry into the mining arena. Additionally, the network is permanently decentralized. On the negative side, the number of transactions per second lessens.
Proof-of-history (PoH) is the consensus mechanism of Solana. A sequence of computations steps come into play. They take two events into consideration. Then, using cryptographic means, they figure out the time passage between them. Further additions to the process, include labeling every transaction with a timestamp, and keeping track of each order. Bitcoin and Ethereum never receive orders arranged according to time.
2. Stateful and Stateless Architecture
Every transaction on Ethereum 1.0 gets recorded in the same state. Every new transaction indicates an update. This update is recorded across the entire network. In other words, all the miners know about it. For instance, party A may transfer $100 worth of cryptocurrency to party B on the Ethereum blockchain. Then, every single miner across the globe must record this transaction. Naturally, such a process slows down the network. It is expensive too.
Solana, on the other hand, prefers a stateless architecture. Therefore, overall memory consumption lessens. Transactions take place in a sequential order, for no updating is required. Thus, Solana proves its excessive scalability.
Special Features of Ethereum
1. Decentralization
The highlight of the Ethereum Bitcoin cash is its decentralization (DeFi). There are not too many barriers placed in the pathway of a potential validator.
The decentralized platform has inspired creative and intelligent developers to come up with Dapps.
2. Scalability
Ethereum 1.0 lacks scalability. It can only perform 13-15 transactions every second.
Therefore, Ethereum 2.0 or the layer-2 solutions, make up for it, by providing advanced throughput (successful message delivery) and scalability. The layer-2 scaling solutions, include sidechains, rollups, state channels, etc. The blockchain also offers support to multi-chain networks. There is no compromise on security.
3. Technology
Ethereum is amongst the pioneers of on-chain smart contracts functioning on a decentralized platform.
Ethereum uses the Turing-complete language, TeA. The base programming language is Solidity. As a result, there is plenty of support for differences in programmability. In turn, this leads to the creation of varied smart contracts.
4. NFTs
Ethereum’s advanced technologies helped to create scarce collectibles. One such was Cryptokitties. They were so popular that the network became clogged!
5. Stablecoins
They are representatives of a lone unit of traditional fiat currency. In other words, they are digital currencies that are pegged to varied fiat currencies, such as U.S. dollar, Euro, etc. Stablecoins are buffers against the volatility that occurs at crypto marketplaces.
Special Features of Solana
Image source: CNBC
1. Speedy Processing
There are hardly any layer-one blockchains that perform so speedily in the Bitcoin platform arena. For example, 60k transactions go through every second. Similarly, the processing of a block nears completion every 400 milliseconds.
2. Tools for Improving Transaction Speeds
Gulf Stream (mempool-less transaction forwarding standard) helps to shove transactions to the network’s edge. Therefore, validators find it easy to verify the operations much before the stipulated times. Thus, 50,000 transactions go through every second.
Another tool is Tower Byzantine Fault Tolerance. Nodes no longer need to have dialogues in real-time. Thus, overall efficiency becomes a reality.
3. Scalability
It is highly scalable, even in the absence of layer-2 solutions. The credit goes to the Turbine block propagation protocol. This protocol serves to break down large data into smaller bits. Transferring the smaller bits is much easier.
Another assistant is Sealevel. It makes it possible to process transactions across SSDs and GPUs.
Finally, Solana’s fees are low.
4. DeFi Ecosystem
Solana has initiated diverse marketing strategies to lure developers and users to its network. This is because it does not have a diversified DeFi ecosystem, as Ethereum does. However, Ethereum is a much older blockchain.
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