Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, and is a leading platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). It was launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, and is characterized by its ability to execute code automatically without intermediaries, revolutionizing the world of digital finance. Ethereum now relies on a proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism after transitioning from proof-of-work (PoW) in the "The Merge" update, significantly reducing energy consumption. It is used in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and private blockchains. The future of Ethereum is promising, but it faces challenges related to speed and fees.$ETH