LTC vs BTC— Side by Side
| Feature | LTC | BTC |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Layer 1 | Layer 1 |
| Consensus | Proof of Work | Proof of Work |
| Launched | 2011 | 2009 |
| Founder | Charlie Lee | Satoshi Nakamoto |
When to Use Each
LTC
- +2.5-minute block times — 4x faster confirmations than Bitcoin for time-sensitive payments
- +Merge mining with Dogecoin — miners earn both LTC and DOGE simultaneously
- +MimbleWimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) add optional confidential transactions
BTC
- +Fixed 21 million supply cap — mathematically enforced digital scarcity
- +Most secure and decentralized blockchain by cumulative proof-of-work hash power
- +Global liquidity — trades 24/7 on hundreds of exchanges across every major market