$ETH Ethereum ($ETH) is the second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, after Bitcoin. It is a decentralized platform that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Here are some key points about Ethereum:

Key features:

1. Smart Contracts: Ethereum allows self-executing contracts where the terms of the contract are written in code and automatically executed when certain conditions are met.

2. Decentralized Applications (dApps): Ethereum supports decentralized applications that run on its blockchain, enabling a wide range of use cases, from finance (DeFi) to gaming and beyond.

3. Ether (ETH): ETH is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network. It is used for transactions, such as gas fees to execute smart contracts and as a store of value.

4. Proof of Stake (PoS): Ethereum transitioned to Proof of Stake (PoS) with the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, aiming to improve scalability, security, and energy efficiency compared to the previous Proof of Work (PoW) model.

5. Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Ethereum is the backbone of the DeFi ecosystem, enabling lending, borrowing, trading, and much more without the need for traditional intermediaries.