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What is Ethereum (ETH)?
इथीरियमEthereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency and the leading smart contract platform. Created by Vitalik Buterin in 2015, it powers DeFi, NFTs, and thousands of decentralized applications.
Full Explanation
Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart contract functionality. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is the second-largest by market cap after Bitcoin. Unlike Bitcoin, which is primarily a digital currency, Ethereum is a programmable blockchain that allows developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dApps). Ethereum transitioned from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in September 2022 ("The Merge"), significantly reducing its energy consumption by ~99.95%.
Example
Most DeFi protocols (like Uniswap, Aave) and NFT marketplaces (like OpenSea) run on Ethereum. Gas fees on Ethereum are paid in ETH.
Related Terms
Last updated: 2026-03-21
