$ETH

Ethereum ($ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, known for its smart contract functionality and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of developers, Ethereum enables developers to build and deploy decentralized projects on its blockchain.

Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as digital gold, Ethereum's network powers decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and various blockchain-based applications. The upcoming Ethereum upgrades, including scalability improvements through Layer 2 solutions like Optimistic Rollups, aim to enhance transaction speed and reduce gas fees.

With Ethereum's transition to Proof of Stake (PoS) via Ethereum 2.0, energy consumption has significantly decreased. As institutional adoption grows, ETH remains a key asset in the evolving blockchain ecosystem, driving innovation in Web3.