Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of developers, Ethereum introduced programmability to blockchain technology, expanding its use beyond digital currency. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to power transactions and computational services on the network. Ethereum transitioned to a proof-of-stake consensus model with the 2022 Merge, significantly reducing its energy consumption. As of 2025, Ethereum remains a leader in the Web3 ecosystem, supporting innovations in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and emerging blockchain-based technologies.
