All lessons
Bitcoin, Ethereum, coins and tokens
The word “crypto” hides very different systems. A native coin and a token issued on another network are not interchangeable ideas.
Distinguish a network, its native asset and tokens issued on it.
Bitcoin is both a network name and commonly the name used for its native asset, BTC. Ethereum is a network whose native asset is ether, ETH. The network is the system; the asset is a unit used within its economic rules.
A token is usually issued through a contract or asset framework on an existing network. Two tokens sharing a network do not automatically share the same issuer, rights or risk. A ticker alone is insufficient identification because unrelated assets may reuse names.
Compare what an asset does before comparing its price. Native assets may pay network fees; a token may represent governance, access, a claim or only an issuer's promise. The precise contract and supporting terms matter more than a marketing category.
Let’s use numbers · hypothetical example
Hypothetical: Token A costs 1 and Token B costs 100. If A has a billion circulating units and B a million, their market values differ greatly. A smaller unit price does not make A cheaper in valuation terms.
Keep in mind
Wrapped or bridged versions add arrangements beyond the original native asset.
Your turn
Choose an asset from a public explorer without buying it. Record network, asset type, contract if applicable and claimed purpose.
A quick check before we move on
What is Ethereum's native asset?
- ETH
- Every token on Ethereum
- Any token called Bitcoin
Check answer
ETH ETH is native to Ethereum; contracts can issue many distinct tokens.
Sources and further reading
Content reviewed: 29 October 2026
Educational material with hypothetical examples. Trading can cause substantial losses. A course, pattern, stop order or past result cannot guarantee a profit or limit every loss. Practise in simulation and check current rules and product terms in your jurisdiction.