$BTC vs $ETH currency or platform?

When we talk about "Ethereum", it is important to distinguish between the platform and the associated cryptocurrency, although the terms are often used interchangeably.

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source digital platform that uses blockchain technology. It was created in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily focuses on being a digital currency, Ethereum was designed to be much more than that. Its main goal is to enable developers to create and run decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.

Key features of Ethereum:

Smart contracts: These are computer programs that automatically execute when certain conditions are met. Once implemented on the Ethereum blockchain, they are immutable and transparent. This eliminates the need for intermediaries in many transactions and agreements.

Decentralized applications (DApps): These are applications that are not controlled by a single entity but operate on the decentralized network of Ethereum. This makes them more resistant to censorship and attacks. Examples of DApps include decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, games, social networks, etc.

Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM): This is a global execution environment that allows developers to run their smart contracts and DApps on the Ethereum network.

Programmability: Ethereum is programmable, meaning that developers can use specific programming languages (such as Solidity) to build various functionalities on the blockchain.