$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform, the second cryptocurrency by market capitalization after Bitcoin. Created in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, it enables the execution of smart contracts, facilitating decentralized applications (dApps) in finance (DeFi), NFTs, or gaming. Its token, Ether, is used to pay transaction fees (gas) and to reward validators. Since the transition to Ethereum 2.0 in 2022, it uses proof of stake, reducing its energy footprint. Despite its volatility, ETH is valued for its innovative ecosystem, although it faces competition from blockchains like Solana or Cardano.