Ethereum

Ethereum is an open-source, decentralized blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily functions as digital money, Ethereum serves as a programmable blockchain — meaning it allows users to create and execute code directly on the blockchain network.

Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of co-founders, Ethereum introduced a revolutionary concept: turning blockchain into a global computer. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay for transaction fees, execute smart contracts, and secure the network through staking.

Ethereum’s ecosystem powers DeFi (Decentralized Finance), NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), and thousands of decentralized applications. The network transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) in 2022 through “The Merge,” reducing energy consumption by over 99%.

Today, Ethereum continues to evolve with scalability solutions like Layer 2 networks (Optimism, Arbitrum, zkSync) and future upgrades like Danksharding. It remains one of the most important pillars of the Web3 revolution — powering innovation, finance, and decentralized governance across the world.