$ETH is Ethereum ($ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, right after Bitcoin. It’s much more than just digital money — it’s a whole decentralized platform for building smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps).

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Quick Overview of $ETH (Ethereum)

Launched: 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others

Token Symbol: ETH

Network: Ethereum Blockchain

Consensus Mechanism: Proof of Stake (since the Merge in 2022)

Primary Use Cases:

Smart contracts

Decentralized apps (DeFi, NFTs, DAOs)

Payments and staking

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Key Features

1. Smart Contracts

Ethereum allows developers to write self-executing contracts with no middleman.

2. dApps

Thousands of decentralized apps run on Ethereum—from games to DeFi protocols.

3. ETH 2.0 & Staking

Ethereum transitioned to Proof of Stake, making it more energy efficient and allowing users to stake ETH to earn rewards.

4. Gas Fees

Transactions on Ethereum require "gas," paid in ETH. These fees can vary depending on network demand.

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Use in Trading & Investing

Volatile but Liquid: ETH sees strong trading volume and price swings—good for traders.

HODLing: Many investors hold ETH long-term due to its tech and adoption.

Staking: You can earn passive income by staking ETH.

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