Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform launched in 2015. Unlike Bitcoin's primary focus as digital money, Ethereum enables developers to build and deploy "smart contracts" and decentralized applications (dApps). These self-executing contracts run exactly as programmed, without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud, or third-party interference.
Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network. It acts as "gas" to power transactions and computational services on the blockchain. Ethereum's shift to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism (The Merge) in 2022 significantly reduced its energy consumption, making it more environmentally friendly. Ethereum is a foundational layer for the booming Web3 and DeFi ecosystems, hosting countless projects and innovations.
