$ETH Ethereum (ETH), launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. It introduced smart contracts, enabling decentralized applications (DApps), DeFi, and NFTs. As a global network of nodes, Ethereum allows trustless transactions powered by its native currency, Ether (ETH), which covers gas fees for operations. Its ecosystem supports DApps across finance, gaming, and supply chains, along with decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and other DeFi protocols. Ethereum’s smart contract functionality makes it a cornerstone of the decentralized internet, driving innovation in blockchain technology.