Ethereum ($ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, known for its smart contract capabilities and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum enables developers to create and deploy smart contracts on its blockchain, which are self-executing agreements without intermediaries. The network transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) with the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, reducing energy consumption and improving scalability. Ethereum’s ecosystem supports decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and various projects, positioning it as a vital pillar in the blockchain space. ETH is crucial for transaction fees and staking.
