Ethereum (ETH): Platform for the decentralized economy

1. Ethereum 2.0 and efficiency:

- The transition to Proof of Stake (PoS) in 2022 reduced its energy consumption by ~99%, improving its image among ESG investors. This enhances its use in institutional and governmental sectors.

2. DeFi and NFTs:

- Ethereum remains the core of decentralized finance (DeFi), with a TVL (total value locked) exceeding $40 billion. NFTs, although less booming than in 2021, maintain relevance in art, gaming, and intellectual property.

3. Scalability and layer 2:

- Solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism reduce high fees (*gas fees*), facilitating mass adoption. This is crucial to compete with faster networks (e.g., Solana).