What is Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum (ETH) Basic Introduction

Ethereum (ETH) Profile

What is Ethereum (ETH) Trading

Ethereum (ETH) trading refers to buying and selling the token in the cryptocurrency market. On MEXC, users can trade ETH through different markets depending on your investment goals and risk preferences. The two most common methods are spot trading and futures trading.

Ethereum (ETH) Spot Trading

Crypto spot trading is directly buying or selling ETH at the current market price. Once the trade is completed, you own the actual ETH tokens, which can be held, transferred, or sold later. Spot trading is the most straightforward way to get exposure to ETH without leverage.

How to Acquire Ethereum (ETH)

You can easily obtain Ethereum (ETH) on MEXC using a variety of payment methods such as credit card, debit card, bank transfer, Paypal, and many more! Learn how to buy tokens at MEXC now!

Deeper Insights into Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum (ETH) History and Background

Ethereum History and Background

Ethereum was conceptualized in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin, a young programmer and cryptocurrency researcher who was then only 19 years old. Buterin had been involved with Bitcoin since 2011 and co-founded Bitcoin Magazine. However, he recognized limitations in Bitcoin's scripting language and saw the need for a more flexible blockchain platform that could support complex applications beyond simple transactions.

The Vision and Whitepaper

In late 2013, Buterin published the Ethereum whitepaper, proposing a blockchain platform with a built-in programming language that would allow developers to create decentralized applications. The key innovation was the concept of smart contracts - self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code. This would enable the creation of decentralized autonomous organizations, financial instruments, and various other applications without requiring intermediaries.

Development and Launch

Development began in early 2014, with Buterin joined by co-founders including Gavin Wood, Jeffrey Wilcke, and others. The project was formally announced at the North American Bitcoin Conference in Miami. A crowdfunding campaign was launched in July 2014, raising over 31,000 Bitcoin (approximately $18 million at the time) in exchange for Ether tokens.

The Ethereum network officially launched on July 30, 2015, with the release of the "Frontier" version. This marked the beginning of the Ethereum blockchain, starting with block zero, known as the Genesis Block.

Major Milestones and Challenges

One of the most significant events in Ethereum's history occurred in 2016 with The DAO hack. The DAO was a decentralized autonomous organization built on Ethereum that raised $150 million. However, a vulnerability in its code was exploited, leading to the theft of approximately $60 million worth of Ether. This incident led to a controversial hard fork that split the community, creating Ethereum and Ethereum Classic.

Evolution and Growth

Since its launch, Ethereum has undergone several major upgrades, including Homestead (2016), Metropolis (2017-2019), and the ongoing transition to Ethereum 2.0. The platform has become the foundation for numerous innovations including Initial Coin Offerings, Decentralized Finance protocols, Non-Fungible Tokens, and thousands of decentralized applications, establishing itself as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

Who Created Ethereum (ETH)?

Vitalik Buterin is the primary creator and founder of Ethereum (ETH). Born in Russia in 1994 and raised in Canada, Buterin was a cryptocurrency enthusiast and programmer who first became involved with Bitcoin in 2011 when he co-founded Bitcoin Magazine at just 17 years old.

Buterin conceived the idea for Ethereum in late 2013 when he was 19 years old. He published the Ethereum whitepaper in November 2013, proposing a blockchain platform that would go beyond Bitcoin's capabilities by supporting smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). His vision was to create a "world computer" that could execute programmable contracts automatically.

Key contributors to Ethereum's development include:

Gavin Wood - Co-founder who wrote the Ethereum Yellow Paper, which provided the technical specifications for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Wood also developed Solidity, Ethereum's primary programming language for smart contracts.

Joseph Lubin - Co-founder who later established ConsenSys, a major Ethereum development studio that has built numerous applications and tools for the ecosystem.

Anthony Di Iorio - Early supporter and co-founder who provided initial funding and helped organize the project in its early stages.

Charles Hoskinson - Co-founder who contributed to Ethereum's early development before leaving to create Cardano.

The Ethereum project was officially announced at the North American Bitcoin Conference in Miami in January 2014. The development was funded through a crowdsale in July-August 2014, which raised over 31,000 Bitcoin (approximately $18 million at the time). The Ethereum network officially launched on July 30, 2015, with the release of the "Frontier" version.

Buterin remains actively involved in Ethereum's ongoing development, particularly in the transition to Ethereum 2.0 and the shift from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake consensus mechanism, which was completed in September 2022 with "The Merge."

How Does Ethereum (ETH) Work?

Ethereum (ETH): How It Works

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps) to run without downtime, fraud, control, or interference from third parties. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as digital money, Ethereum functions as a programmable blockchain that can execute complex operations.

Core Components

The Ethereum network operates through several key components. The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) serves as the runtime environment for smart contracts, executing code across thousands of nodes worldwide. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code, automatically enforcing agreements when predetermined conditions are met.

Consensus Mechanism

Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake (PoS) in September 2022. In PoS, validators are chosen to create new blocks based on their stake in the network rather than computational power. Validators must deposit 32 ETH to participate, and they earn rewards for honest behavior while facing penalties for malicious actions.

Transaction Process

When users initiate transactions, they pay gas fees denominated in ETH to compensate validators for processing. Gas represents the computational effort required to execute operations. Transactions are bundled into blocks, validated by the network, and permanently recorded on the blockchain.

Decentralized Applications

Ethereum supports thousands of DApps across various sectors including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), gaming, and social platforms. These applications leverage Ethereum's programmability to create innovative financial products, digital marketplaces, and governance systems without traditional intermediaries.

This distributed architecture ensures transparency, immutability, and global accessibility while maintaining security through cryptographic principles and network consensus.

Ethereum (ETH) Key Features

Smart Contract Platform: Ethereum's most defining feature is its ability to execute smart contracts - self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code. These programmable agreements automatically execute when predetermined conditions are met, eliminating the need for intermediaries and reducing transaction costs.

Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM): The EVM serves as Ethereum's runtime environment, providing a decentralized computing platform where smart contracts operate. It ensures that code execution remains consistent across all network nodes, maintaining security and reliability throughout the ecosystem.

Decentralized Applications (DApps): Ethereum enables developers to build and deploy decentralized applications across various sectors including finance, gaming, supply chain, and social media. These applications run on the blockchain network rather than centralized servers, offering enhanced security and transparency.

Proof of Stake Consensus: Following the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, the network transitioned from energy-intensive Proof of Work to Proof of Stake consensus mechanism. This change significantly reduced energy consumption by approximately 99.9% while maintaining network security through validator staking.

Native Cryptocurrency (ETH): Ether serves multiple purposes within the ecosystem - functioning as digital money, paying for transaction fees (gas), and securing the network through staking. ETH holders can participate in network governance and earn rewards by validating transactions.

Programmable Money: Unlike Bitcoin's primary focus on peer-to-peer transactions, Ethereum enables complex financial instruments and protocols. This programmability has spawned the entire DeFi ecosystem, including lending platforms, decentralized exchanges, and yield farming protocols.

Interoperability and Standards: Ethereum established widely adopted token standards like ERC-20 and ERC-721, enabling seamless interaction between different projects and applications built on the platform.

Ethereum (ETH) Distribution and Allocation

Ethereum (ETH) Distribution and Allocation Overview

Ethereum's initial distribution was established through a presale in 2014, followed by the genesis block creation in 2015. The total initial supply was approximately 72 million ETH, distributed across several categories to ensure network development and community participation.

Initial Allocation Breakdown

The Ethereum Foundation received about 18% of the initial supply, equivalent to roughly 12.9 million ETH. This allocation was designated for ongoing development, research, and ecosystem support. Early contributors and developers received approximately 9.9% of the total supply, recognizing their foundational work on the protocol.

The presale participants, who contributed during the crowdfunding phase, received about 83.5% of the initial distribution. This amounted to approximately 60.1 million ETH, making it the largest portion of the initial allocation. The presale lasted 42 days and raised over 31,000 Bitcoin.

Mining and Issuance Mechanism

Unlike Bitcoin's fixed supply, Ethereum initially had no hard cap on total supply. New ETH was created through Proof of Work mining, with block rewards starting at 5 ETH per block. These rewards were later reduced to 3 ETH and then to 2 ETH through various network upgrades.

The transition to Proof of Stake through Ethereum 2.0 significantly changed the issuance model. Validators now earn rewards for staking ETH and validating transactions, with issuance rates varying based on the total amount staked.

Current Distribution Dynamics

Today's ETH distribution reflects years of mining rewards, staking mechanisms, and market trading. The implementation of EIP-1559 introduced a fee burning mechanism, creating deflationary pressure by removing ETH from circulation permanently, fundamentally altering the long-term supply dynamics of the network.

Ethereum (ETH) Utility and Use Cases

Smart Contracts and Decentralized Applications (DApps)

Ethereum serves as the foundation for smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code. These contracts automatically execute when predetermined conditions are met, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Developers build decentralized applications on Ethereum's blockchain, creating everything from gaming platforms to complex financial instruments. Popular DApps include Uniswap for decentralized trading, Compound for lending and borrowing, and various gaming applications like Axie Infinity.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Ecosystem

Ethereum powers the majority of DeFi protocols, revolutionizing traditional financial services. Users can lend, borrow, trade, and earn interest on cryptocurrencies without traditional banks. Yield farming, liquidity mining, and automated market makers operate on Ethereum, providing new investment opportunities. DeFi protocols offer services like flash loans, synthetic assets, and algorithmic stablecoins, creating a parallel financial system accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Digital Ownership

Ethereum established the standard for NFTs through protocols like ERC-721 and ERC-1155. These tokens represent unique digital assets including artwork, collectibles, virtual real estate, and gaming items. NFT marketplaces like OpenSea operate on Ethereum, enabling creators to monetize digital content and collectors to trade unique assets. The technology extends beyond art to include utility NFTs for membership access, event tickets, and digital identity verification.

Enterprise Solutions and Supply Chain Management

Major corporations utilize Ethereum for supply chain transparency, tracking products from origin to consumer. Companies implement blockchain solutions for inventory management, authenticity verification, and compliance reporting. Enterprise Ethereum Alliance promotes business adoption, with members including Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Intel developing blockchain solutions for various industries including healthcare, logistics, and energy management.

Digital Identity and Governance Systems

Ethereum enables decentralized identity solutions, allowing users to control their personal data without relying on centralized authorities. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) use Ethereum for governance, enabling token holders to vote on proposals and manage community resources democratically. These systems provide transparency in decision-making processes and create new models for organizational management and community governance.

Ethereum (ETH) Tokenomics

Tokenomics describes the economic model of Ethereum (ETH), including its supply, distribution, and utility within the ecosystem. Factors such as total supply, circulating supply, and token allocation to the team, investors, or community play a major role in shaping its market behaviour.

Pro Tip: Understanding ETH's tokenomics, price trends, and market sentiment can help you better assess its potential future price movements.

Ethereum (ETH) Price History

Price history provides valuable context for ETH, showing how the token has reacted to different market conditions since its launch. By studying historical highs, lows, and overall trends, traders can spot patterns or gain perspective on the token's volatility. Explore the ETH historical price movement now!

Ethereum (ETH) Price Prediction

Building on tokenomics and past performance, price predictions for ETH aim to estimate where the token might be headed. Analysts and traders often look at supply dynamics, adoption trends, market sentiment, and broader crypto movements to form expectations. Did you know, MEXC has a price prediction tool that can assist you in measuring the future price of ETH? Check it out now!