Not all blockchains play the same game. Bitcoin focuses on security and scarcity. Ethereum powers apps, smart contracts, and DeFi. Networks like Solana push for speed and low-cost transactions through high-throughput design.
If you’ve already explored the foundations in How the Blockchain Works, this quiz shows how different chains evolved to solve different problems — money, computation, scalability, and global access.
Bitcoin was built for one mission: trustless digital money. Its slow blocks and simple scripting language are strengths, not weaknesses — they reduce the attack surface and maximize stability. Understanding this structure pairs well with knowing how assets move across networks, as explained in the Crypto Transactions Quiz.
Ethereum expanded the idea. Instead of just sending value, users can interact with dApps, participate in DeFi, mint NFTs, or join DAOs. This programmable flexibility depends heavily on smart contract execution and wallet security — topics covered in How Crypto Wallets Work.
Then came the performance-focused ecosystems. Solana prioritizes throughput and speed, optimizing for thousands of transactions per second. Polygon helps Ethereum scale through Layer 2 rollups and sidechains — something explored in the Layer 2 Scaling Quiz. Avalanche uses multiple chains for app-specific customization.
Real network differences show up most clearly in how people use them. Payments, gaming, NFTs, DeFi, tokenized assets — each chain finds its niche. To see how these use cases actually play out, check the Real-World Crypto Utility Quiz.
Every network has trade-offs — speed vs. decentralization, cost vs. security, flexibility vs. attack surface. Headlines often shape the perception of these trade-offs, especially when major upgrades or outages occur. You can explore narrative impact in the Crypto Headline Quiz.
Understanding ecosystems also helps you protect yourself. On some chains, transactions settle instantly; on others, delays can cause confusion and fraud risks. Strengthening your habits across networks starts with the guide on financial responsibility.
And because fast-growing ecosystems attract scammers, learning how fraud appears across chains is essential. The analysis on romance-crypto scams shows how emotional manipulation succeeds where code cannot be broken.
Once you understand what makes Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and others unique, crypto stops looking like one system — it becomes a map of specialized networks, each with its own purpose.