Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, it introduced a more flexible scripting language than Bitcoin, allowing developers to create a wide range of applications. Ether (ETH) is Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, used to pay for transaction fees and computational services on the network. Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake in 2022, significantly reducing energy consumption. It’s widely used in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other blockchain-based innovations. Ethereum continues to evolve with ongoing upgrades aimed at improving scalability, security, and usability.
