$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum revolutionized blockchain by introducing programmability through its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses primarily on peer-to-peer payments, Ethereum supports a wide range of use cases, including DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs. Ether (ETH), the platform’s native cryptocurrency, is used to pay for transactions and computational services. With the transition to Ethereum 2.0 and a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, the network aims to improve scalability, energy efficiency, and security, making Ethereum a cornerstone of the Web3 ecosystem.