Ethereum (ฮ), launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of developers, is a revolutionary blockchain platform and cryptocurrency. ๐ก Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses on digital money, Ethereum is designed for creating and executing smart contractsโself-executing agreements written in code. ๐โ๏ธ
Ether (ETH) is Ethereum's native currency, used to power transactions and applications on its network. ๐ป๐ธ Miners validate these transactions and earn ETH as a reward, though Ethereum transitioned from energy-intensive mining to the more sustainable Proof of Stake system in 2022. ๐ฑโจ
Ethereum is the foundation for decentralized applications (dApps) and innovations like decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). ๐๐จ Itโs often called the "world computer" due to its ability to run complex applications without central control. ๐๐ฅ๏ธ
ETH is also a store of value and an investment asset, second only to Bitcoin in market capitalization. ๐๐ However, it faces challenges like high gas fees and scalability, which the network is addressing through upgrades like Ethereum 2.0. โก
Ethereum has redefined the blockchain space, offering endless possibilities for developers and users while driving the future of decentralized technology. ๐๐ช
