$ETH or Ether, is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain, one of the most widely used decentralized platforms in the world. Created by Vitalik Buterin and launched in 2015, Ethereum revolutionized the blockchain space by enabling smart contracts—self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. Ether serves as both a fuel for executing transactions and smart contracts on the Ethereum network and a store of value, much like Bitcoin.

Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a store of value or digital gold, Ethereum's capabilities extend beyond simple transactions. $ETH is essential for interacting with decentralized applications (dApps), decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and issuing non-fungible tokens (NFTs). As Ethereum has evolved, particularly with the introduction of Ethereum 2.0, it has transitioned from a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism to a more energy-efficient proof-of-stake (PoS) system, which aims to increase scalability, security, and reduce environmental impact.

$ETH has become an integral asset in the crypto space, offering a range of use cases from supporting DeFi projects to serving as collateral for loans or staking in Ethereum 2.0. Its price is heavily influenced by network demand, technological upgrades, and broader market trends. As Ethereum continues to grow remains at the forefront of blockchain innovation.