Ethereum (ETH) is a leading blockchain platform known for introducing smart contracts—self-executing programs that run exactly as coded without any downtime, fraud, or third-party interference. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of developers, Ethereum goes beyond just digital currency.
Unlike Bitcoin, which is mainly used for peer-to-peer payments, Ethereum is designed to be a foundation for decentralized applications (dApps), NFTs, decentralized finance (DeFi), and more. The network runs on ETH, its native cryptocurrency, which is used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network.
Since switching to a proof-of-stake model in 2022 (The Merge), Ethereum has become more energy-efficient and scalable, with ongoing upgrades to further improve speed and reduce fees.
Ethereum continues to be one of the most influential and widely used blockchains in the crypto world.
