Ethereum (ETH) is the second largest cryptocurrency in the world after Bitcoin, but it is not just a means of payment; it is the heart of a smart and advanced ecosystem known for "smart contracts" and "decentralized finance (DeFi)". Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, it has since become a platform for building decentralized applications (dApps) that operate without intermediaries.

In 2022, the network transitioned from a proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism to proof-of-stake (PoS) through what is known as "The Merge", which reduced energy consumption by over 99%, making the network more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Currently, ETH is used in hundreds of applications, such as decentralized platforms, digital games, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and more. It is also used to pay gas fees when executing transactions or smart contracts.

With upcoming updates like Danksharding and Proto-Danksharding, Ethereum aims to enhance speed and reduce costs, making it a strong competitor to any traditional centralized financial system.