$ETH is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform known for its smart contract functionality. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) across finance, gaming, and more. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum isn’t just digital money—it’s a programmable blockchain that supports DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs. Its native token, ETH, is used to pay transaction (gas) fees and secure the network. Ethereum transitioned to Proof of Stake (PoS) in 2022 with the “Merge,” significantly reducing energy consumption. Ongoing upgrades, including “sharding,” aim to improve scalability, making Ethereum the backbone of Web3 innovation.