Ethereum

 Ethereum ETH (July 2015)

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that was launched in 2015. It is a decentralized software platform that allows developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dapps) on the blockchain. Ethereum has its own cryptocurrency, called Ether (ETH), which is used to power the network and pay for transaction fees.

One of the key features of Ethereum is its smart contract functionality, which allows developers to create programmable contracts that can automatically execute when certain conditions are met. Smart contracts are self-executing and self-enforcing, which can enable new types of decentralized applications, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Like Bitcoin, Ethereum transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, which is maintained by a network of computers around the world. Ethereum is designed to be more flexible and programmable than Bitcoin, which makes it a popular platform for building decentralized applications and experimenting with new blockchain-based technologies.

Ethereum has been growing in popularity and adoption, and its price has experienced significant fluctuations since its launch. As with any cryptocurrency, investing in Ethereum carries significant risks due to its volatile nature and the lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency market.