$ETH

Ethereum ($ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap and the leading smart contract platform. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum enables decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs. Unlike Bitcoin, which is mainly for transactions, Ethereum is programmable, making it a foundation for Web3. With the shift to Ethereum 2.0 and proof-of-stake, it’s now more energy-efficient. Gas fees are used to power transactions and smart contracts, though scaling solutions aim to reduce costs. ETH is both a utility and investment asset. As blockchain innovation grows, Ethereum remains at the core, driving decentralized finance and the future internet.