Sonic Vs. Ethereum – What’s the Difference?

Learning the differences between Sonic (S) and Ethereum (ETH) can be an important step to becoming a more informed trader. Both of these platforms were built to provide a new level of programmability to blockchain developers. However, since these protocols were launched at different times, they are meant to tackle inefficiencies in different networks. Here’s everything you need to know about Sonic vs Ethereum.

What is Sonic?

Sonic (S) is a third-generation advanced blockchain. The protocol differs from its predecessors due to the use of Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) based smart contracts. The main advantage of this approach is top-notch performance. The goal of the Sonic project was to improve the programmability and flexibility provided to Dapp developers at the time.

The protocol specifically targets Ethereum developers who suffer from high gas fees and programmability restrictions due to the early nature of the network. Notably, Sonic’s developers envision the protocol operating like a central nervous system for smart cities and other web 3.0 applications in the future.

What is Ethereum?

Ethereum was the first second-generation blockchain to enter the market. The protocol changed the game with the introduction of smart-contract programmability. Ethereum was founded by Vitalik Buterin. It improves on its predecessors by enhancing scalability and functionality. The main difference is that Ethereum was designed to overcome Bitcoin’s shortcomings whereas Fantom focuses on Ethereum’s issues.

Ethereum was one of the first cryptocurrencies to hit the market. The protocol revolutionized the sector as the first smart contract programmable platform available. Ethereum has remained a pioneer in the sector. In 2017, they made the ERC-20 token standard which ushered in the 2017 crypto revolution and ICO (Initial Coin Offering) movement.

Ethereum has endured SEC investigations and a constant bombardment of competitors. Despite its technical limitations, the Ethereum ecosystem operates as the largest Dapp and DeFi environment in the world. As such, nearly all new blockchains include smart contract programmability.

What Problems Was Sonic Built to Alleviate?

Sonic seeks to transform the market through its technical advantages. The system provides users access to an all-in-one DeFi ecosystem. This approach makes it easier for new users to enter the market. In this way, Sonic seeks to improve adoption rates. Sonic reduces gas fees for both developers and users. Gas fees are the cost of paying network nodes to conduct transactions and execute smart contracts. Comparingly, Sonic users pay much lower fees than Ethereum due to the network’s consensus mechanisms and structure.

The protocol has near-zero fees for transactions making it an ideal selection for Dapps users. Additionally, Sonic is more energy efficient than Ethereum. The developers took great care to make Sonic sustainable. As part of this strategy, it does away with power-hungry miners. Eliminating miners makes the network have a much smaller carbon footprint compared to PoW (Proof-of-Work) networks.

What Problems Was Ethereum Built to Alleviate?

Ethereum tackled many of the biggest problems of 2013-2014. At that time, cryptocurrencies were just that – currencies that served little other purpose. Buterin saw a need to provide programmability to these powerful computer networks. Ethereum introduced the first affordable blockchain infrastructure solution to the market.

Ethereum was ahead of its time. When it launched, Bitcoin had set the benchmark at 7 transactions per second. Ethereum doubled that at around 14 tps. The network was also much cheaper to transact on because Bitcoin suffered from crushing congestion prior to its SegWit upgrade and the introduction of the Lightning Network.

One of the biggest issues that Ethereum conquered was the anxiety of developers converting from centralized systems to decentralized networks. Ethereum showed that these protocols could be hosted securely and create revenue. As the demand for Ethereum Dapps grew, so did the developer community. Today, Ethereum users enjoy more options and functionalities than the competition.

How Does Sonic Work?

Sonic was designed utilizing a multi-layered approach. This strategy is common in third-generation and newer blockchains. The system leverages a layer called the Opera Core to remain valid. This layer is where the nodes validate transactions and add them to the ledger. The next layer is the Opera Ware Layer.

The Opera Ware Layer serves a vital role as the execution protocol. This layer is where rewards and payment data go. The layer’s Story Data system improves the performance of the network by reducing the number of nodes needed to verify transactions. It streamlines tracking the past actions of the network as well. The Application Layer is where most users will interact with the network. This layer enables access to the rest of the network. It is also responsible for interactions such as APIs and Dapps.

sMint

One of the coolest features of Sonic is sMint. This system makes it easy to create new digital assets. Additionally, Sonic leverages a multi-token environment. The network uses S as its utility token. There are also sS tokens that operate as synthetic assets. Lastly, sUSD is the network’s stablecoin. Together these assets enable users to enjoy full DeFi capabilities when using the protocol.

How Does Ethereum Work?

Ethereum is currently a PoW protocol. The network relies on miners to approve transactions and the overall state of the blockchain. Miners receive rewards for their efforts in the form of Ether (EHT), the network’s utility token. Ethereum is in the midst of its largest update yet, ETH 2.0.

ETH 2.0

The upgrade would convert the network to a PoS (Proof-of-Stake) protocol. This maneuver would eliminate the need to use miners and improve the scalability of the network. Notably, you need to stake 32 ETH to become a validation node. Those who want to participate, but hold less ETH, can use staking pools to still gain exposure to the profits.

Ethereum developers can create using a variety of token standards. The ERC-20 token standard is by far the most popular. There are hundreds of thousands of ERC-20 tokens in circulation currently. The network also supports NFTs, security tokens, and more. One of the things that make Ethereum so successful is its sheer selection. The size of the network is unmatched.

How to Buy Sonic (S) and Ethereum (ETH)

Currently, Sonic (S) and Ethereum (ETH) are each available for purchase on the following exchanges.

Uphold – This is one of the top exchanges for United States residents that offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies. Germany & Netherlands are prohibited.

Uphold Disclaimer: Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong..

Kraken – Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the most trusted names in the industry with over 9,000,000 users, and over $207 billion in quarterly trading volume.

The Kraken exchange offers trading access to over 190 countries including Australia, Canada, Europe, and is a top exchange for USA residents. (Excluding New York & Washington state).

Sonic Vs. Ethereum – Features vs Size

It’s interesting to note that these protocols both offer full programmability to developers. The advantages of each are obvious now. Ethereum provides added liquidity as the most popular option in the market whereas, Sonic reduces costs and improves functionality. In terms of long-term trading potential, Ethereum has proven to be a strong addition to any portfolio. Additionally, Sonic has some features that make it an interesting project to watch. As such, both networks are worth monitoring moving forward.

To learn more, make sure to visit our Investing in Sonic and Investing in Ethereum guides.