$ETH

Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and co-founders. It’s the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, behind Bitcoin, and powers a vast ecosystem of applications through its smart contract functionality. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a digital currency, Ethereum is a programmable blockchain, enabling developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) for finance, gaming, NFTs, and more. Its native cryptocurrency, ETH, is used to pay for transaction fees (gas) and secure the network.Ethereum transitioned from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS) in September 2022 via "The Merge," reducing energy consumption by ~99.95%. PoS allows ETH holders to stake their coins to validate transactions and earn rewards. This shift also set the stage for future upgrades like sharding to improve scalability.ETH’s price has been volatile, peaking at $4,891 in November 2021 and fluctuating with market trends. As of May 2025, it remains a cornerstone of decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3. Ethereum faces competition from blockchains like Solana and Cardano but maintains dominance due to its robust developer community and first-mover advantage. Its roadmap focuses on scalability, security, and sustainability to support global adoption.