$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform renowned for its smart contract functionality. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily functions as a digital currency, Ethereum enables developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) without third-party interference. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether, is second only to Bitcoin in market capitalization.

Ethereum transitioned to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism in September 2022, significantly reducing its energy consumption. This platform serves as the foundation for various emerging technologies, including decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and supports a wide array of other cryptocurrencies through its ERC-20 token standard.