$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a leading blockchain platform known for its smart contract functionality. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) without centralized control. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay for transactions and services on the network. Ethereum is transitioning to a more sustainable future with Ethereum 2.0, shifting from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake to significantly reduce energy consumption. As a foundational technology for decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs, Ethereum plays a critical role in the Web3 ecosystem.