Yes they can.

Eth competing against USD. Bitcoin competing against USD and Gold.

Bitcoin and Eth are also both competing against turkish lira, Tide pods, and zibwawean mortgage bonds.

But only one competes with gold.

Sorry, no.

You said:

> ETH is competing against USD, not against BTC. Bitcoin is competing against gold

You also said:

> bitcoin is of course also competing against USD

BTC and ETH can’t both be competing with USD without competing with each other.

If your statement that BTC is competing with USD is true, then your statement “ETH is competing against USD, not against BTC” is false.

ETH is competing against BTC.

Technically, my py pinky fingernail is competing with our latest nuclear powered aircraft carriers.

Doesn't guarantee that my fingernail will win a shooting war.

Is this meant as an analogy for ETH and BTC?

If so, it seems like it’s just a circular reference to your personal belief in the strength of BTC over ETH, rather than a relevant argument.