$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, renowned for its smart contract functionality. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum enables programmable, self-executing agreements (smart contracts) and hosts decentralized applications (dApps). Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), fuels transactions and operations on the network. Ethereum underpins transformative innovations like decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), revolutionizing finance, art, and governance. Transitioning to Ethereum 2.0, it shifts from energy-intensive proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, enhancing scalability, security, and sustainability. As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Ethereum remains a cornerstone of blockchain innovation, driving the evolution of decentralized technologies globally.