$ETH

Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum is known for its programmability, allowing developers to build a wide range of applications.

The native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay transaction fees (gas) and as a store of value. Ethereum transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism in 2022 (via "The Merge"), significantly reducing energy consumption. It’s the foundation for many innovations like DeFi, NFTs, and blockchain-based games.