$ETH
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum expands on Bitcoin’s blockchain by incorporating a programmable layer through the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network. In 2022, Ethereum transitioned from a proof-of-work to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, significantly reducing its energy consumption. Ethereum is widely used for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, gaming, and more, making it a foundational technology in the Web3 ecosystem.
