$ETH
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum goes beyond simple peer-to-peer transactions by allowing developers to build and deploy complex applications on its network. Unlike Bitcoin, which is primarily a digital currency, Ethereum is a programmable blockchain with its own cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), used to pay for transactions and computational services. Ethereum has been at the forefront of major innovations such as decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web3. With the shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in Ethereum 2.0, the platform has improved its scalability and reduced energy consumption, making it more sustainable and efficient for future growth.
