Is Litecoin faster than Ergo?

Slightly - 2.5 min vs 2 min blocks. But for DeFi, Ergo's atomic swaps provide instant trade finality. Speed alone doesn't determine usefulness.

Which has better privacy?

Different approaches. Litecoin uses MWEB (MimbleWimble), Ergo uses Sigma Protocols. Ergo's approach integrates better with smart contracts.

Can I do DeFi on Litecoin?

No. Litecoin's scripting is too limited. For DEXs, stablecoins, or lending, you need Ergo's smart contracts.

Which is more decentralized?

Ergo, due to ASIC-resistant mining. Litecoin mining is dominated by ASIC farms, while Ergo remains GPU-mineable.

Ergo vs Litecoin

Modern Smart Contract PoW vs Classic Payment Coin

Smart Contracts

Ergo has full ErgoScript contracts; Litecoin has Bitcoin-like limited scripting

Privacy Approach

Ergo uses Sigma Protocols (ZK proofs); Litecoin added MWEB (MimbleWimble)

DeFi

Ergo has active DEXs and stablecoins; Litecoin has no DeFi

Innovation

Ergo: research-driven with novel features; Litecoin: conservative Bitcoin fork

Feature Comparison

Feature	Ergo	Litecoin
Consensus	Autolykos PoW (ASIC-resistant)	Scrypt PoW (ASIC-dominated)
Smart Contracts	Full (ErgoScript)	Limited (Bitcoin-like)
Privacy	Sigma Protocols, ErgoMixer	MWEB (opt-in)
DeFi	Active ecosystem	None
Block Time	~2 minutes	~2.5 minutes
State Model	eUTXO	UTXO
Long-term Security	Storage rent	Fees only
Adoption	Growing	Established
Fair Launch	Yes	Yes (early mining)

indicates advantage in that category. Last updated: 2025-01-01

Deep Dive

Purpose & Vision

Litecoin was created as 'silver to Bitcoin's gold' - a faster, lighter Bitcoin for payments. Ergo was built from scratch with smart contracts, privacy, and sustainability as core features. Different visions, different capabilities.

Ergo Advantage

Built for DeFi and programmable money from day one.

Smart Contract Capabilities

Litecoin has Bitcoin-like scripting - useful for basic multi-sig but not DeFi. Ergo's ErgoScript enables DEXs, stablecoins, lending, and complex financial applications.

Ergo Advantage

Full DeFi capabilities vs payment-only functionality.

Privacy Features

Litecoin added MWEB (MimbleWimble Extension Blocks) for optional privacy. Ergo uses Sigma Protocols enabling zero-knowledge proofs. Both offer opt-in privacy with different technical approaches.

Ergo Advantage

Sigma Protocols are more flexible for smart contract privacy.

Mining Decentralization

Litecoin mining is dominated by ASICs, concentrating hash power. Ergo's Autolykos remains GPU-friendly, keeping mining accessible to individuals.

Ergo Advantage

More decentralized mining participation.

Autolykos: Ergo's Sustainable GPU Mining Algorithm

Autolykos is the Ergo mining algorithm: a memory-hard proof-of-work designed for ASIC-resistant mining, sustainable PoW, and a more decentralised, GPU-friendly Ergo blockchain.

Nov 21, 202510 min read

NiPoPoWs: Trustless Light Clients & Bridges on Ergo

Learn how Non-Interactive Proofs of Proof-of-Work (NiPoPoWs) enable lightweight blockchain verification, stateless clients, and trustless cross-chain bridges on Ergo.

Dec 7, 20258 min read

Related Infographics

Ergo vs Bitcoin: Bitcoin With the Missing Pieces

Infographic comparing simple UTXO Bitcoin money with Ergo’s eUTXO, smart contracts, privacy and storage rent — like adding missing layers on top of the Bitcoin brick.

Ergo vs Litecoin: Digital Silver vs Programmable Money

Infographic comparing Ergo as programmable PoW money for DeFi and alternative economic systems with Litecoin as digital silver / faster Bitcoin focused on payments.

Where Ergo Fits Among Major Chains

Scatterplot comparing Ergo, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Cardano, Solana, CBDCs and typical VC chains across launch model, programmability, DeFi and privacy.

Ergo vs Kaspa: Programmable PoW vs High-Throughput PoW

Infographic comparing Ergo’s programmable eUTXO DeFi stack with Kaspa’s high-throughput PoW payments layer built on a BlockDAG.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Comparisons

Bvs Bitcoin Evs Ethereum Cvs Cardano Mvs Monero Zvs Zcash Svs Solana Cvs CBDCs Vvs VC-Funded Chains Kvs Kaspa Rvs Ravencoin Avs Avalanche Avs Algorand

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