Ethereum: The Smart Contract Platform of the Future
Ethereum is a blockchain network designed to run smart contracts and decentralized apps (DApps). It was created by Vitalik Buterin in 2015. Ethereum's native token is ETH, which is used to pay gas fees and transact. It is currently the foundation of DeFi, NFT, and various blockchain projects. With the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, it has moved to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism, which increases transaction speed and reduces fees. Rapid technological improvements have made Ethereum one of the most powerful platforms in the crypto world.