The notorious, and anonymous Satoshi Nakamoto created the first blockchain use-case. Ever since its inception in 2009, its underlying technology has been studied and used to create new types of blockchain products. It all started with Bitcoin. It’s quickly becoming closer to a global currency than ever before.

Bitcoin’s development is led by Bitcoin Core developer Wladimir J. van der Laan, who took over the role on April 8, 2014. Bitcoin’s changes are decided democratically by the community.

Ethereum

Similar to Bitcoin, Ether is a digital currency used for operating smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. Ethereum is a revolutionary platform which brought the entire concept of “Smart Contracts” into existence. Smart Contracts are pieces of software with rules coded into it, they are encrypted and secured in the Ethereum blockchain, making it impossible for them to be duplicated or stolen. These Smart Contracts create the possibility to exchange any asset with no middleman involved, you would be able to sell or buy property without having to spend money on a broker.

Ethereum is the name of the platform, while Ether is the token used in the network’s transactions. Larger than any other blockchain, there are now over 200,000 developers working to make companies, products, and smart contracts on the network. The founder, and icon of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin has been called the “face of blockchain”. His ideas and expertise in cryptography has influenced a global community of developers.