Since its launch in 2015, Ethereum (ETH) has been considered the biggest and most innovative altcoin in the crypto world. It introduced smart contracts, opened the door for DeFi and NFTs, and is widely viewed as the backbone of Web3. But when it comes to price performance compared to Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum hasn’t had the upper hand as often as many would think.
According to recent analysis, Ethereum has only outperformed Bitcoin around 15% of the time since it went live. Despite its innovation and active development, ETH has only outpaced BTC in limited windows throughout the years.
A Closer Look at Ethereum vs Bitcoin Price History
The analysis, published on April 8, 2025, highlights that since Ethereum’s first price tracking in August 2015, the ETH/BTC pair has had a very limited range where ETH dominated. Out of more than 3,500 daily candles, only about 500 of them showed a clear Ethereum advantage against Bitcoin.
This translates to just 15% of the total time Ethereum has been in existence, where its price has risen more rapidly or maintained higher momentum compared to Bitcoin.
Key Numbers to Understand:
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ETH was launched in 2015.
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ETH/BTC pair has had only 500 daily candles in favor of ETH.
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That’s roughly 15% of the total trading time.
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ETH currently trades at 0.0508 BTC per coin.
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That’s about 25% lower than its 2021 peak (0.0706 BTC).
Why Ethereum Often Falls Behind Bitcoin
There are a few reasons behind Bitcoin’s stronger long-term dominance:
1. First-Mover Advantage
Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency. It’s been around since 2009 and is seen as “digital gold.” It has established itself as a store of value and enjoys trust among both retail and institutional investors.
2. Market Sentiment and Liquidity
Bitcoin remains the most liquid crypto asset, and during bear markets, most investors rotate their assets back into BTC. This makes it more resilient during downturns, while altcoins like Ethereum tend to suffer greater losses.
3. Ethereum’s Upgrades and Delays
Ethereum is constantly evolving — from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS), and now toward sharding. While these are great technical steps, they also bring uncertainty and can affect investor confidence in the short term.
Has Ethereum Ever Outshined Bitcoin?
Yes — there have been several times when Ethereum significantly outperformed Bitcoin. The most notable one was during the 2017 bull market and again during the DeFi and NFT boom in 2020–2021. In September 2022, ETH/BTC even hit 0.085, which was one of its highest points ever.
But these moments have been rare and often short-lived. They typically occur during periods known as “altcoin seasons,” when investor appetite for higher-risk assets grows, and Ethereum benefits from increased network activity and hype.
What About Now? The Market in April 2025
At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $3,650, while Bitcoin stands strong at $71,300. That puts the ETH/BTC ratio at roughly 0.0508, down significantly from its highs.
Ethereum’s underperformance this year compared to Bitcoin can be tied to several factors:
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Bitcoin ETFs received strong institutional inflows.
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Ethereum’s transition to Proof of Stake hasn’t yet delivered the scalability benefits users hoped for.
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Regulatory discussions around Ethereum staking and classification as a security in some jurisdictions have created uncertainty.
ETH/BTC Is at a Critical Support Level
Analysts have pointed out that ETH/BTC is now hovering at a critical support level, just slightly above its multi-year low of 0.048 BTC. If it breaks below this range, we might see Ethereum lose further ground relative to Bitcoin.
However, if Ethereum can maintain this level or rebound, it may signal a new upward trend — especially if developers successfully roll out Ethereum’s next upgrade, “Proto-Danksharding,” which aims to boost scalability.
What Does This Mean for Investors?
Short-Term View:
Bitcoin is still the safer bet in uncertain markets. It continues to lead crypto inflows and sets the tone for the broader crypto market.
Long-Term View:
Ethereum still holds massive potential due to its smart contract capabilities, DeFi leadership, and innovation pipeline. While it may not outperform Bitcoin often, the moments it does can deliver major gains.
Diversification Still Matters
Many investors choose to hold both BTC and ETH to balance safety with growth. While Bitcoin acts as a digital store of value, Ethereum offers exposure to the broader crypto economy, from NFTs to Web3.
Final Thoughts: Bitcoin Dominates, But Ethereum Still Shines
Despite only outperforming Bitcoin 15% of the time since its launch, Ethereum remains a vital part of the crypto ecosystem. Its lower price performance doesn’t diminish its importance or potential — it just highlights Bitcoin’s continued strength and dominance in the market.
As the crypto market evolves, Ethereum may yet see a new wave of growth — especially if upcoming upgrades improve network performance and bring new utility.
Until then, investors would be wise to watch the ETH/BTC ratio closely, especially as the market heads into what could be another bullish cycle.