$ETH
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum introduced programmable blockchain technology, allowing developers to build and deploy dApps without intermediaries. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used for transaction fees and computational services.
Ethereum is transitioning to Ethereum 2.0, shifting from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism to improve scalability, security, and energy efficiency. This upgrade includes sharding and layer-2 solutions like rollups to enhance transaction speed and reduce costs.
As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Ethereum plays a vital role in decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 innovations, making it a cornerstone of the blockchain ecosystem.
