Ethereum (ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, known for its smart contract functionality and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum revolutionized blockchain by enabling programmable, self-executing contracts. As of mid-2025, ETH trades around $2,400, showing ongoing volatility amid broader market shifts. The recent “Pectra” upgrade improved network efficiency and increased staking limits, enhancing scalability and validator participation. Ethereum also serves as the foundation for most decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and NFTs, securing its role as a vital Web3 infrastructure. Institutional interest is rising, especially with the approval of spot ETH ETFs, which have seen significant capital inflows. Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism are further boosting network throughput and reducing gas fees. Despite market fluctuations, Ethereum’s strong developer ecosystem, upgrade roadmap, and increasing real-world use cases continue to position it as a leading blockchain platform with long-term growth potential.