Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum introduced the concept of programmable blockchain through its native language, Solidity. Its cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to power transactions and computational services on the network. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily focuses on peer-to-peer payments, Ethereum supports a wide range of use cases including DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs. With the shift to Ethereum 2.0 and Proof of Stake, it aims to enhance scalability, security, and energy efficiency, shaping the future of decentralized innovation.
