$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain known for its smart contract functionality. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of developers, Ethereum introduced a revolutionary concept: programmable blockchain applications beyond simple transactions. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as digital gold, Ethereum enables developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and execute complex financial operations without intermediaries.

The native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), powers the network, allowing users to pay for transaction fees, interact with smart contracts, and participate in staking since Ethereum transitioned to Proof of Stake (PoS) in 2022. This shift, known as the Merge, significantly reduced Ethereum's energy consumption. With continuous upgrades like Ethereum 2.0, sharding, and layer-2 scaling solutions, ETH remains one of the most influential assets in the crypto ecosystem.