$ETH is an open-source platform based on blockchain that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). It was proposed in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin and launched in 2015. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily focuses on being a cryptocurrency, Ethereum is distinguished by its ability to support decentralized applications, allowing developers to build and run programs without the need for intermediaries. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay transaction fees and services within the network. Ethereum has been the foundation for the development of numerous innovative projects, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFT), establishing itself as one of the fundamental pillars of blockchain technology.