$ETH Ethereum (ETH) Coin Overview
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain system that features smart contract functionality. It was proposed in 2013 by programmer Vitalik Buterin and development began in early 2014, with the network going live on July 30, 2015. ETH, or Ether, is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum platform.
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🔹 Key Features of Ethereum
1. Smart Contracts
Self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code.
Automate and enforce agreements without intermediaries.
2. Decentralized Applications (dApps)
Built using Ethereum’s programming language, Solidity.
Used in finance (DeFi), gaming, NFTs, and more.
3. Ether (ETH)
Used to pay for transactions (known as "gas") on the Ethereum network.
Also acts as a store of value and a unit of exchange.
4. Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)
The computation engine that executes smart contracts.
Enables cross-platform compatibility for Ethereum-based apps.
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🔄 Ethereum vs Bitcoin
Feature Ethereum Bitcoin
Purpose Smart contracts, dApps Digital currency/store of value
Speed Faster block times Slower (approx. 10 min blocks)
Supply No fixed supply 21 million cap
Consensus Proof of Stake (PoS) Proof of Work (PoW)
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🔁 Ethereum 2.0 & Proof of Stake
Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) in a major upgrade called “The Merge” (completed in September 2022).
Benefits include:
Lower energy consumption (~99% less).
Increased scalability and security.
ETH holders can stake coins to help secure the network and earn rewards.
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💡 Use Cases
Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Lending, borrowing, yield farming.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): Unique digital assets for art, gaming, collectibles.
DAOs: Decentralized Autonomous Organizations for community governance.
Gaming & Metaverse: In-game assets, land, and experiences using ETH.
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📈 ETH as an Investment
ETH is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization (after Bitcoin).
Used both as a utility token and an investment vehicle.
