#EthereumFuture Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum goes beyond Bitcoin by supporting programmable transactions. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used for transactions and computational services. Ethereum introduced innovations like the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and is widely used in decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3. In 2022, it transitioned from Proof of Work to the more energy-efficient Proof of Stake consensus mechanism, known as "The Merge," enhancing scalability, security, and sustainability.
