$ETH Ethereum: The Future of Decentralized Technology
Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) to run without any downtime, fraud, or interference. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum introduced the concept of programmable blockchain, allowing developers to create and deploy their own applications using its native programming language, Solidity. Unlike Bitcoin, which is primarily a digital currency, Ethereum is a whole ecosystem supporting finance, gaming, identity systems, and more. With its recent upgrade to Ethereum 2.0, the platform has shifted to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, significantly reducing energy consumption and increasing scalability. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is the second-largest in the market and is widely used for transactions, smart contracts, and as a store of value. Ethereum is leading the charge in Web3 innovation and decentralized finance (DeFi).