#BSCUserExperiences Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and other co-founders, Ethereum has become one of the most influential cryptocurrencies and platforms in the blockchain space. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a store of value and a medium of exchange, Ethereum’s primary innovation is its ability to facilitate programmable transactions, making it the foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and a wide range of other blockchain-based solutions. Ethereum's native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to power these transactions and pay for gas fees (transaction costs). With the transition to Ethereum 2.0, the platform aims to enhance scalability, security, and energy efficiency by moving from a proof-of-work to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, further strengthening its position as a leading force in the blockchain ecosystem.