$ETH

ETH, short for Ether, is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain, launched in 2015. Unlike Bitcoin, which mainly serves as digital money, ETH fuels the Ethereum network by enabling decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Every transaction or computational task on Ethereum requires a small amount of ETH, known as "gas," to be processed and validated by the network. ETH’s utility goes beyond simple payments; it underpins the vast ecosystem of decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web3 innovations.

ETH tokens are used to pay for services, participate in decentralized governance, stake in proof-of-stake systems, and more. Since Ethereum’s upgrade to Ethereum 2.0, the network now uses proof-of-stake, allowing users to lock up ETH to help secure the network in exchange for rewards. As Ethereum evolves, ETH continues to grow in importance as both a financial asset and a technological resource. It is traded globally, providing liquidity for decentralized platforms and acting as collateral for many blockchain-based financial services. ETH’s flexibility, combined with Ethereum's active developer community, cements its role as a cornerstone of the emerging decentralized digital economy.