Ethereum
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and other developers. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a digital currency, Ethereum is a programmable platform that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, used to facilitate transactions and pay for computational services on the platform.
Ethereum's smart contract functionality allows developers to build and deploy applications without the need for intermediaries, offering greater transparency, security, and censorship resistance. DApps on Ethereum span a wide range of use cases, including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), gaming, supply chain management, and more.
Ethereum's scalability and transaction throughput have been ongoing challenges, leading to initiatives like Ethereum 2.0 aimed at transitioning the network to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism for improved scalability, security, and energy efficiency.
ETH has emerged as one of the most significant cryptocurrencies, with a large and active developer community, widespread adoption in various industries, and a substantial market capitalization. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of decentralized technologies and the broader blockchain ecosystem.