Ethereum (ETH) is a pioneering blockchain platform that introduced smart contracts—self-executing programs that run exactly as programmed without downtime, fraud, or third-party interference. Launched in 2015, Ethereum extends the functionality of blockchain beyond simple transactions, enabling the development of decentralized applications (dApps) and the broader decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.

WHAT IS ETHEREUM (ETH)?
Ethereum is an open-source, decentralized blockchain platform that allows developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications. It was proposed in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin and officially launched in 2015. Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses on peer-to-peer value transfer, Ethereum is designed to be a flexible platform for innovation across industries.

KEY FEATURES

• Smart Contracts: Ethereum introduced programmable contracts that automatically execute actions when certain conditions are met, enabling trustless applications.

• Decentralized Applications (dApps): Developers can create open-source apps on Ethereum that run on a decentralized network, removing central control.

• Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM): A powerful runtime environment that executes smart contracts and supports multiple programming languages.

• Transition to Proof-of-Stake: With the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, Ethereum shifted from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, improving energy efficiency and scalability.