#ETHCrossed2500 Ethereum is a decentralized platform that established the concept of smart contracts, enabling the development of decentralized applications (dApps). Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is the second-largest by market capitalization. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum aims to be more than just a digital currency, positioning itself as a world computer for various applications, including DeFi and NFTs. The network transitioned to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism in 2022, significantly reducing its energy consumption and paving the way for further scalability improvements.