#ETFWatch Ethereum (ETH) is one of the most influential blockchain platforms, known for its smart contract functionality and role in shaping the decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT ecosystems. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as digital gold, Ethereum provides a flexible framework for developers to build decentralized applications (dApps). With its transition to Ethereum 2.0 and the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, ETH has become more energy-efficient and scalable. It remains a leading force in the blockchain industry, attracting innovation in decentralized governance, gaming, and finance. However, challenges such as high gas fees and network congestion continue to drive improvements and layer-2 scaling solutions like Optimism and Arbitrum.