$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum introduced the concept of programmable blockchain, going beyond Bitcoin's simple transactions. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay for transaction fees and computational services on the network. Ethereum is transitioning from proof-of-work to a more energy-efficient proof-of-stake consensus mechanism through Ethereum 2.0. It powers a wide range of applications, including DeFi (decentralized finance), NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations), making it a foundational technology in the crypto space.