#MarketSentimentWatch Ethereum Coin (ETH): An Overview

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain system that features smart contract functionality. It was proposed by Vitalik Buterin in late 2013 and went live on July 30, 2015. Unlike Bitcoin, which is primarily a digital currency, Ethereum is a platform for creating and running decentralized applications (dApps) using smart contracts.

What is Ether (ETH)?

Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum platform. It is used to:

Pay for transactions: Known as "gas fees," these are required to process transactions and execute smart contracts on the network.

Store of value: Similar to Bitcoin, ETH can be used as a digital asset or investment.

Power dApps: Developers use ETH to build and deploy decentralized applications on the Ethereum blockchain.

Smart Contracts and dApps

Ethereum's standout feature is its support for smart contracts—self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code. These contracts enable decentralized applications (dApps) that run without the risk of downtime, censorship, or fraud. dApps are used in various industries, including finance (DeFi), gaming, supply chain, and social networks.