$ETH $ETH (Ethereum) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin. It powers the Ethereum blockchain, enabling smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), and DeFi platforms. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum supports programmability, allowing developers to build on its network. Ethereum transitioned to Proof of Stake (PoS) with Ethereum 2.0 (The Merge) in 2022, making it more energy-efficient. Its native token, ETH, is used for transactions, staking, and network fees (gas fees).