$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform renowned for its smart contract functionality. Conceived in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin and launched in 2015, Ethereum has evolved into a global infrastructure for decentralized applications (dApps) and decentralized finance (DeFi). Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), fuels the network and is used to pay transaction fees, known as gas.

Ethereum's key innovation lies in its ability to execute smart contracts – self-executing agreements with the terms directly written into code. This enables a wide array of applications, from financial instruments and NFTs to decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). The platform is currently transitioning to Ethereum 2.0, featuring a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism for enhanced scalability, security, and energy efficiency.