$ETH

Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform known for its smart contract functionality. ETH, its native cryptocurrency, is used to power transactions and applications built on the Ethereum network. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum revolutionized blockchain by allowing developers to create decentralized applications (dApps). ETH is used for paying gas fees—small amounts of ETH required to process transactions or execute smart contracts. It’s also widely traded as a digital asset. Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake in 2022 with "The Merge," reducing energy consumption and improving scalability. As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap after Bitcoin, Ethereum plays a key role in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web3 technologies. Its flexible ecosystem continues to drive innovation across the blockchain space.