$ETH **Ethereum (abbreviated as ETH)** is an open-source blockchain platform initiated by programmer Vitalik Buterin in 2015. It not only supports the transfer function of the digital currency ETH but more importantly supports 'smart contracts', which are programs that can be executed automatically without the need for a third-party intermediary. This makes Ethereum the core infrastructure for decentralized applications (DApps) and decentralized finance (DeFi). ETH is the native token of the Ethereum network, used to pay transaction fees (Gas) and to incentivize miners or validators. Since the 'Merge' in 2022, Ethereum has transitioned from proof of work (PoW) to proof of stake (PoS), saving energy and moving towards sustainable development. Ethereum is one of the most active blockchains for current Web3 and NFT applications.