$ETH Ethereum (\$ETH) is a leading cryptocurrency and decentralized platform launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as digital money, Ethereum enables smart contracts—self-executing programs that run on its blockchain. This functionality allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) for finance, gaming, NFTs, and more. Ethereum transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake consensus in 2022 with the Merge, significantly reducing energy consumption. \$ETH, the platform's native token, is used to pay for transactions and interact with smart contracts. Ethereum remains a cornerstone of the Web3 ecosystem, driving innovation and the expansion of decentralized technologies.