Ethereum (blockchain)

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy applications, known as smart contracts, which automatically execute when certain conditions are met. Unlike Bitcoin, which is primarily a digital currency, Ethereum allows for complex programming, enabling innovations like decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Users can hold and transfer Ether (ETH), the platform's native cryptocurrency, to pay for transactions and computational services. The platform aims to create a more open and programmable internet by removing intermediaries and fostering peer-to-peer interactions.