Ethereum (ETH)

About

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain system that supports the creation and execution of smart contracts. It was first proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013 and launched on July 30, 2015. Ethereum's native cryptocurrency is Ether (ETH), which is used to pay for transaction fees and computational services on the network. The platform is widely used for deploying decentralized applications (dApps), including those in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In 2022, Ethereum transitioned from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, known as "The Merge." This change significantly reduced energy consumption and increased network efficiency. Ethereum staking allows users to become validators by locking up ETH, enabling them to secure the network and earn rewards. Staking can be done individually or through pools, offering a way to participate in network governance and earn passive income. Ethereum's scalability and security improvements continue to evolve, making it a leading platform for blockchain development.