ETH

Ethereum is a programmable blockchain designed to support smart contract execution and decentralized applications. Unlike payment-focused networks, it provides a general-purpose settlement layer where developers can build DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, DAOs, gaming applications, and other on-chain services. ETH is the native asset used to pay gas fees, secure the network through staking, and interact with applications built on the chain.

The network uses a PoS consensus model after its transition away from PoW, with validators proposing and attesting to blocks. This design aims to improve energy efficiency while maintaining security and finality. Ethereum’s architecture also relies on Layer 2 scaling systems, such as rollups, which process transactions off-chain and settle them back to the main chain. This helps reduce congestion and lower transaction costs during periods of high demand.

In the broader crypto ecosystem, Ethereum remains one of the most important infrastructure layers. It hosts a large share of DeFi TVL, supports a broad developer community, and serves as a base for many tokens and protocols that use the ERC standards. Its role is less about a single use case and more about providing a flexible environment for programmable financial and digital applications.