$BTC $ETH In the context of cryptocurrencies, $ETH refers to Ether, the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network. It's the fuel that powers transactions and smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing users to interact with decentralized applications (dApps) and other cryptocurrencies built on the platform.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Ethereum as a platform:

Ethereum is more than just a cryptocurrency; it's a decentralized, open-source platform that enables the creation and deployment of smart contracts and decentralized applications.

Ether (ETH) as the currency:

Ether (ETH) is the digital currency of the Ethereum network, used to pay for transaction fees (also known as "gas") and to interact with the various dApps and services built on the platform.

Functionality:

Ether can be bought, sold, and traded on cryptocurrency exchanges like any other cryptocurrency. It is also used to incentivize miners who validate transactions and secure the network.

Beyond Transactions:

Ethereum's smart contract functionality allows for the creation of a wide range of applications, including decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other innovative uses of blockchain technology.