Bitcoin & Ethereum in 2025: Why they’re essential for new investors

If you are new to crypto, one of the most efficient and reliable strategies is to start with the two coins that everybody talks about. Bitcoin is “digital gold” — scarce money that lives online. Ethereum is a programmable network with “apps and finance that run on code.” Learn these two, and the rest of crypto feels a lot less like alphabet soup.

Bitcoin in plain English

Bitcoin (BTC) is a scarce digital asset designed to be independent of any single government or company.

The code caps supply at 21 million BTC. New coins drip out to miners and, roughly every four years, that drip slows in an event called the halving (the 2024 halving cut new supply to 3.125 BTC per block). Less new supply + steady or rising demand can be a powerful mix.

In January 2024, the U.S. approved spot Bitcoin ETFs, regulated funds that hold real BTC and can be bought in regular brokerage accounts. That opened the door for more mainstream participation and liquidity. For newcomers, it also signalled that Bitcoin had crossed a trust threshold in traditional finance.

Ethereum in plain English

Ethereum (ETH) is a global computer you pay to use. Developers deploy smart contracts — programs that run exactly as written — to create apps for payments, lending, NFTs, games and much more.

When you conduct actions in the Ethereum network, you pay gas fees (a small toll). Also, many application developers use Layer 2 networks (L2s) that batch activity and settle back for security to scale and cut costs.

In March 2024, Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade introduced EIP-4844 (“proto-danksharding”), a change that cut data costs for L2s — good news for fees and scalability. And in July 2024, spot Ethereum ETFs launched in the U.S., another credibility boost and an easier access path for mainstream investors.

BTC vs ETH

▪️Role: BTC is a store of value; ETH powers a programmable economy.
▪️Value driver: BTC leans on scarcity and macro adoption; ETH leans on network usage (what people build and do on it).
▪️Main risks: BTC is macro-sensitive (liquidity, regulation). ETH adds tech/upgrade execution and competition risk from other smart-contract platforms.

Why beginners usually start here

With BTC and ETH, you get deep liquidity, the most research and tooling and fewer weird surprises. If you need to buy or sell, markets are thick enough that the price barely wobbles. Their long public histories also mean more sensible guides, better analytics and fewer gotchas.

Two things nudged these crypto assets further into the mainstream. First, spot ETFs made it easier for traditional investors to gain exposure, which typically boosts liquidity and confidence. Second, Ethereum’s most recent upgrades lowered the cost of using apps on L2s, which is code for “this is getting more practical.” Put together, access is easier and usage is cheaper — a friendlier entrance for first-timers.

Buying your first BTC/ETH

The simplest path is to use a regulated exchange, verify your identity (that is KYC), deposit fiat money and start small.

Follow these steps to get your first Bitcoin or Ethereum:
▪️Choose a reputable exchange like EXMO and complete standard ID checks for compliance.
▪️Deposit fiat money via card, bank transfer, or wallet top-up.
▪️Check fees for trading (maker/taker), spreads and withdrawals.
▪️Consider DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) and buy a fixed fiat-based amount on a schedule to smooth volatility.

Simple starter allocations (not financial advice)

There are different novice-friendly strategies for purchasing BTC and ETH:
▪️A 70/30 BTC/ETH split keeps things conservative and scarcity-tilted
▪️50/50 balances “digital gold” with the programmable economy
▪️100% BTC is the clean, ultra-simple start with room to add ETH later

Whatever you pick, rebalancing (nudging back to your target mix every so often) keeps risk from drifting.

Make your coins do something

After you have bought your tokens, you can earn passive income with them. Staking products pay a yield on idle coins.

On EXMO, you can find the Earn program with 2 types to choose from:
▪️Flexible Earn lets you withdraw anytime
▪️Fixed Earn asks you to lock funds for a period in exchange for a higher rate.

For beginners, flexible options are kinder: try them with a modest balance, keep a cash/crypto buffer outside Earn and always read the terms. On EXMO, Earn supports major assets (including BTC and ETH at up to 6%), so you can dip a toe into passive income without leaving the platform.

Common beginner mistakes and how to dodge them

Regardless of how cautious you are, there is still a chance of getting into one of the popular traps:

Chasing the hype

Hot tips and micro-caps look exciting, but they add unknown risks you do not need on day one. Master BTC and ETH first; the rest will still be there next month.

Treating security as a later task

It is not. Turn on 2FA, set strong passwords, learn how seed phrases work and practise one safe withdrawal before you move real money.

Playing with leverage too early

Margin trading (borrowing to amplify trades) makes small moves big — including losses. EXMO offers margin for experienced users, but if you are new, skip it. You will not miss anything except stress.

Bitcoin and Ethereum remain the best front door to crypto in 2025: easier access, better infrastructure and clearer rules. Start small, automate your buys if you like (that is DCA), keep fees reasonable and let Earn work only on the coins you truly do not need short-term. Once these two feel familiar, you can explore broader markets with confidence.

This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve risk, and you should always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making decisions.