The second-largest cryptocurrency. It's often used for building other crypto applications and tools.
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that features its own cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH). It is best known for its ability to enable smart-contracts and DApps.
While Bitcoin proved the power of a decentralized digital blockchain for a single purpose—as a store of value and medium of exchange—it was limited in its functionality. The creators of Ethereum envisioned a new kind of blockchain, one that could be a general-purpose, programmable platform.
Ethereum was designed to be a "world computer" that is not controlled by any single entity. It allows developers to write and deploy code that anyone can use. This code is immutable, meaning it runs exactly as programmed, without any possibility of censorship or downtime. This core innovation is what separates it from its predecessors and has made it the backbone of the Web3 revolution.
At the heart of the Ethereum network is the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The EVM is a massive, distributed computer that executes all the smart-contracts and transactions on the network.
Every operation on the Ethereum network, from sending ETH from one wallet to another to running a complex DApp, requires a small computational fee paid in gas. This system prevents network abuse and ensures that the resources of the decentralized computer are used efficiently. Users pay for gas with the native cryptocurrency of the network, Ether (ETH).
Ethereum's programmable nature has unlocked a vast and diverse ecosystem. It is the leading platform for two of the most significant innovations in the crypto space: Decentralized Finance (DeFi), which enables lending-protocol, decentralized exchanges, and other financial services that operate without central banks or intermediaries; and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), where Ethereum introduced the standards for creating unique digital assets, which has powered the creation of NFT marketplaces for digital art, collectibles, and gaming items, providing verifiable digital ownership.
The very first and most well-known cryptocurrency. Many people see it as "digital gold."
A type of cryptocurrency designed to have a stable value, usually pegged to a real-world currency like the US dollar.
