$USDC Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum goes beyond digital currency by providing a programmable blockchain through its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH). Developers use Ethereum to build secure, transparent applications in finance, gaming, identity, and more. With the upgrade to Ethereum 2.0 and its shift to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, the network has become more scalable and energy-efficient. Ethereum plays a crucial role in the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the broader Web3 ecosystem.