$ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum extends blockchain’s use beyond digital currency, introducing programmable contracts and tokens. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network. Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake with the 2022 Merge, significantly reducing energy consumption. It supports innovations like decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and DAOs, making it a foundational pillar of Web3 and the evolving decentralized internet.