#TradingTools101 Ethereum ($ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, it introduced a powerful scripting language, allowing developers to build a wide range of blockchain-based projects beyond simple transactions. Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, used to pay for transaction fees and computational services. Ethereum transitioned from a Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a more energy-efficient Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism with the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, also known as "The Merge" in 2022. It is a major platform for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 innovation, making it a core pillar of blockchain technology.