$ETH Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps) to run without intermediaries. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of developers, Ethereum introduced the concept of programmable blockchain, allowing developers to build and deploy self-executing contracts.

Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as digital gold, Ethereum's flexibility supports various use cases, including decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and DAOs.

Ethereum transitioned from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism with the Merge in 2022, reducing energy consumption and improving scalability. Future upgrades, like sharding, aim to enhance transaction speed and lower fees.

As one of the most influential blockchain networks, Ethereum continues to drive innovation in the crypto space, shaping the future of decentralized applications and finance.