#加密市场反弹 Ethereum (ETH) is a cryptocurrency based on blockchain technology, founded by Vitalik Buterin and others in 2015. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum is not just a digital currency, but also a decentralized smart contract platform that allows developers to build and run decentralized applications (DApps) on its blockchain.
The core technology of the Ethereum blockchain is smart contracts, which are self-executing code that automatically executes the terms of a contract when certain conditions are met. This technology makes Ethereum an innovative foundation in various fields such as finance, gaming, and supply chain management. For example, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications are based on Ethereum's smart contracts, providing financial services like lending and trading without the need for traditional financial institutions.
Ether is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, primarily used for paying transaction fees (Gas Fee) and executing smart contracts. Whenever users conduct transactions or run smart contracts on the Ethereum network, they need to pay a certain amount of Ether as a fee, ensuring the security and operational efficiency of the network.
Ethereum's consensus mechanism initially adopted proof of work (PoW), similar to Bitcoin, but to improve energy efficiency and network scalability, Ethereum completed 'The Merge' in 2022, transitioning to a proof of stake (PoS) mechanism. This upgrade significantly reduced energy consumption and laid the groundwork for future scalability improvements (such as sharding technology).
The total supply of Ether does not have a hard cap, but the annual issuance is limited, making its inflation rate relatively controllable. Additionally, the Ethereum network also supports non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are unique digital assets widely used in art, collectibles, and gaming.
In summary, Ether is not only a cryptocurrency but also a platform that drives innovation in blockchain technology. Its smart contract functionality and diverse application scenarios make it an important pillar in the blockchain space.
