$ETH

Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contract functionality. As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, ETH has gained significant attention for its potential applications beyond digital currency. Here are some key aspects of Ethereum:

- *Key Features:*

- *Smart Contracts*: Self-executing contracts with terms directly written in code, allowing for decentralized applications (dApps) and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

- *Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)*: Unique digital assets that can be created, bought, and sold on the Ethereum blockchain.

- *Decentralized Finance (DeFi)*: Platforms that provide financial services, such as lending and borrowing, without intermediaries.

- *Ethereum's Transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS)*: Ethereum shifted from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to PoS in September 2022, reducing energy consumption by 99% and enhancing network security.

- *Future Developments*: Upcoming upgrades, such as the "Pectra" update, aim to improve scalability, security, and usability ¹.