Ethereum is a decentralized platform that allows you to create and run blockchain-based applications, such as smart contracts and dApps (distributed applications). Designed in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum goes beyond the simple transfer of cryptocurrencies.
In fact, it is one of the first blockchains to offer a complete programming language, allowing developers to design applications with complex rules and a wide variety of features.
Ethereum’s native currency, called Ether (ETH), is used to pay the network transaction fees and to execute smart contracts. Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses on transferring value, Ethereum aims to become a "global computer" by hosting decentralized applications.
These applications allow processes to be seamlessly automated without the need for intermediaries, making innovations such as decentralized finance (challenge) or NFTs (non-fungible tokens) possible.
One of the most powerful aspects of Ethereum is its use of smart contracts, which are self-executing programs with predefined conditions. For example, a contract can automatically transfer money when certain conditions are met, eliminating the need for a trusted third party.
This innovation makes Ethereum popular for many use cases, including in finance, video games, real estate, and many other fields.
In conclusion, Ethereum is much more than a cryptocurrency: it is a multifunctional platform that allows users and developers to create decentralized solutions in many sectors.
Its ecosystem continues to evolve with the move to Ethereum 2.0, aiming to improve the scalability and the sustainability of the network, making it faster and less energy-intensive through the transition to proof of stake.