$ETH

Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum introduced innovations beyond Bitcoin, such as programmability through its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network. In 2022, Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) through "The Merge," reducing energy consumption significantly. Ethereum plays a central role in DeFi (Decentralized Finance), NFTs, and Web3, making it a foundational technology in the crypto ecosystem.