#ETHCrossed2500

Ethereum (ETH) is a leading cryptocurrency and decentralized computing platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum extends the blockchain concept beyond simple transactions, allowing developers to create programmable agreements without intermediaries. Its native currency, Ether (ETH), is used to power operations on the network and incentivize participants. Ethereum underwent a major upgrade called "The Merge" in 2022, transitioning from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. This change significantly reduced its energy consumption and paved the way for greater scalability and sustainability. Ethereum supports a vast ecosystem of decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web3 applications. As one of the most actively developed and widely adopted blockchain platforms, Ethereum continues to drive innovation in the crypto space, attracting both developers and investors aiming to participate in the future of decentralized technology.