Ethereum is the community-run technology powering the cryptocurrency, ether (ETH) and thousands of decentralized applications. Ethereum is a technology that’s home to digital money, global payments, and applications. The community has built a booming digital economy, bold new ways for creators to earn online, and so much more. It’s open to everyone, wherever you are in the world – all you need is the internet.
Banking for everyone
Not everyone has access to financial services. But all you need to access Ethereum and its lending, borrowing and savings products is an internet connection.
A more private internet
You don’t need to provide all your personal details to use an Ethereum app. Ethereum is building an economy based on value, not surveillance.
A peer-to-peer network
Ethereum allows you to move money, or make agreements, directly with someone else. You don’t need to go through intermediary companies.
Censorship-resistant
No government or company has control over Ethereum. This decentralization makes it nearly impossible for anyone to stop you from receiving payments or using services on Ethereum.
Commerce guarantees
Ethereum creates a more level playing field. Customers have a secure, built-in guarantee that funds will only change hands if you provide what was agreed. You don’t need large company clout to do business.
Compatibility for the win
Better products and experiences are being built all the time because Ethereum products are compatible by default. Companies can build on each other’s success.
What Is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a blockchain platform with its own cryptocurrency, called Ether (ETH) or Ethereum, and its own programming language, called Solidity.
As a blockchain network, Ethereum is a decentralized public ledger for verifying and recording transactions. The network’s users can create, publish, monetize, and use applications on the platform, and use its Ether cryptocurrency as payment. Insiders call the decentralized applications on the network “dapps.”
As a cryptocurrency, Ethereum is second in market value only to Bitcoin, as of May 2021.1
- Ethereum is an open-source blockchain-based platform used to create and share business, financial services, and entertainment applications.
- Ethereum users pay fees to use dapps. The fees are called “gas” because they vary depending on the amount of computational power required.
- Ethereum has its own associated cryptocurrency, Ether or ETH.
- Its cryptocurrency is now second only to Bitcoin in market value.