$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is one of the leading cryptocurrencies, launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a group of developers. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum is not just a means of payment but also a platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.

Smart contracts allow for automated transactions without the need for intermediaries, opening up many opportunities in the fields of finance, art, and various other areas. Ethereum has witnessed the explosion of DeFi (decentralized finance) and NFTs (non-fungible tokens), contributing to the creation of a rich ecosystem.

With the transition to Ethereum 2.0, this platform is aiming to improve performance and security while minimizing energy consumption. Despite facing many challenges from other blockchains, Ethereum still holds an important position in the cryptocurrency market and has strong potential for growth in the future.