$ETH Sure! Here’s a 200-word write-up on Ethereum (ETH):

Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum expanded the functionality of blockchain beyond just digital currency by introducing a programmable layer. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network.

Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses primarily on peer-to-peer digital cash, Ethereum's architecture allows for a wide range of decentralized use cases such as finance (DeFi), digital identity, gaming, and supply chain tracking. Smart contracts on Ethereum are self-executing agreements written in code, eliminating the need for intermediaries.

Ethereum initially used a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism but transitioned to proof-of-stake (PoS) with the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, known as "The Merge" in September 2022. This move significantly reduced its energy consumption and allowed for greater scalability and efficiency.

Ethereum continues to be a foundational platform in the blockchain ecosystem, with a strong developer community and a vast array of projects built on top of it. As of now, it remains the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, trailing only behind Bitcoin.

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