$ETH

Ethereum ($ETH) is the second largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, and it is an open-source blockchain platform that supports smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Ethereum provides a flexible environment for developers to build applications without the need for a central intermediary. In 2022, the network transitioned from a proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism to proof-of-stake (PoS) through 'The Merge', which reduced energy consumption by 99%. ETH is used to pay transaction fees (Gas Fees) and interact with applications. As applications in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) expand, Ethereum remains the cornerstone of the modern blockchain world.