Smart Contract Platform
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps).
Ethereum Price (ETH)
What is Ethereum (ETH)?
Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). It was proposed in 2013 by programmer Vitalik Buterin and launched in 2015.
While Bitcoin was designed primarily as a digital currency, Ethereum was created as a programmable blockchain that could support a wide range of applications beyond simple value transfer. This programmability has made Ethereum the foundation for DeFi, NFTs, and countless other Web3 applications.
Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network. It's used to pay for transaction fees (called 'gas') and computational services on the network. ETH is also used as collateral in DeFi protocols and for staking in Ethereum's proof-of-stake consensus mechanism.
Ethereum has undergone several major upgrades, most notably 'The Merge' in September 2022, which transitioned the network from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake consensus, reducing energy consumption by approximately 99.95%.
How does Ethereum work?
Ethereum uses smart contracts—self-executing programs stored on the blockchain that automatically execute when predetermined conditions are met. These contracts enable trustless, automated transactions without intermediaries.
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is the runtime environment for smart contracts. It's a Turing-complete virtual machine that can execute code of arbitrary complexity, allowing developers to build sophisticated applications.
After The Merge, Ethereum uses proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus. Validators stake 32 ETH to participate in block production and validation. They are randomly selected to propose blocks and earn rewards for honest behavior, while facing penalties (slashing) for malicious actions.
Gas is the unit of measurement for computational work on Ethereum. Users pay gas fees in ETH to compensate validators for processing transactions. Gas prices fluctuate based on network demand, with EIP-1559 introducing a base fee that is burned and a priority fee that goes to validators.
FAQ
What is the price of Ethereum today?
Ethereum's price changes continuously based on market conditions.
Check the live chart above to see the current ETH price and recent price movements.
What is the difference between Ethereum and Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was designed primarily as digital money, while Ethereum was built as a programmable blockchain platform.
Ethereum supports smart contracts and decentralized applications, making it more versatile for building Web3 applications.
Ethereum uses proof-of-stake consensus, while Bitcoin uses proof-of-work.
What are Ethereum gas fees?
Gas fees are payments made to validators for processing transactions on the Ethereum network.
Gas prices are measured in 'gwei' (one billionth of an ETH) and vary based on network congestion.
Complex operations like smart contract interactions require more gas than simple transfers.
What is Ethereum staking?
Ethereum staking involves locking up ETH to help secure the network and validate transactions.
Validators who stake 32 ETH can earn rewards for proposing and attesting to blocks.
Staking can also be done through liquid staking protocols with smaller amounts of ETH.
Is Ethereum a security?
The SEC has indicated that ETH is likely not a security, though regulatory clarity continues to evolve.
Ethereum's decentralized nature and the way it was distributed differentiate it from many other crypto assets.
Guides for Ethereum Investors
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External Data
- Ethereum on CoinGecko — price, market cap, volume
- Ethereum on DefiLlama — TVL, protocols, fees
- DefiLlama — DeFi analytics & yields
Investor Tools
- ROI Calculator — project ETH returns
- Position Size Calculator — risk-based sizing
- Market Cap Calculator — compare valuations
- DCA Simulator — test accumulation strategies
- Fear & Greed Index — market sentiment
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