Ethereum (ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization after Bitcoin. Launched in 2015, it is a decentralized platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). ETH is the native coin used to pay for transactions and computational services on the Ethereum network. In recent years, Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) via the Merge, significantly reducing energy consumption. ETH continues to play a central role in decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 development. As blockchain technology evolves, Ethereum remains a key player driving innovation in the crypto ecosystem.
