$ETH

**Ethereum ($ETH)** is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, it extends Bitcoin’s utility by supporting programmable transactions. ETH, its native cryptocurrency, powers the network, used for transaction fees, staking, and governance. Ethereum pioneered decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web3 innovations. Its 2022 transition to proof-of-stake (Ethereum 2.0) enhanced scalability, security, and energy efficiency. As the second-largest crypto by market cap, ETH remains central to blockchain development, driving a global shift toward decentralized systems, though challenges like gas fees and network congestion persist.