What Is Ethereum?
At its core, Ethereum is a decentralized global software platform powered by blockchain technology. It is most commonly known for its native cryptocurrency, ether, or ETH.
Ethereum can be used by anyone to create any secured digital technology. It has a token designed for use in the blockchain network, but it can also be used by participants as a method to pay for work done on the blockchain.
Ethereum is designed to be scalable, programmable, secure, and decentralized. It is the blockchain of choice for developers and enterprises that are creating technology based upon it to change the way many industries operate and how we go about our daily lives.
It natively supports smart contracts, the essential tool behind decentralized applications. Many decentralized finance (DeFi) and other applications use smart contracts in conjunction with blockchain technology.
Learn more about Ethereum, its token ETH, and how they are an integral part of non-fungible tokens, decentralized finance, decentralized autonomous organizations, and the metaverse.
Key Takeaways
- Ethereum is a blockchain-based platform best known for its cryptocurrency, ETH.
- The blockchain technology that powers Ethereum enables secure digital ledgers to be publicly created and maintained.
- Bitcoin and Ethereum have many similarities but different long-term visions and limitations.
- Ethereum is transitioning to an operational protocol that offers incentives to process transactions to those who stake their ETH.
- Ethereum is the foundation for many emerging technological advances.
Ethereum Founder Joe Lubin Explains What It Is & Why It Matters
How Does Ethereum Work?
Vitalik Buterin, credited with conceiving of Ethereum, published a white paper to introduce it in 2014. The Ethereum platform was launched in 2015 by Buterin and Joe Lubin, founder of the blockchain software company ConsenSys.
The founders of Ethereum were among the first to consider the full potential of blockchain technology beyond just enabling the secure virtual payment method.
Since the launch of Ethereum, ether as a cryptocurrency has risen to become the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value. It is outranked only by Bitcoin.
Blockchain Technology
Ethereum, like other cryptocurrencies, involves blockchain technology. Imagine a very long chain of blocks. All of the information contained in each block is added to every newly-created block with new data. Throughout the network, an identical copy of the blockchain is distributed.
This blockchain is validated by a network of automated programs that reach a consensus on the validity of transaction information. No changes can be made to the blockchain unless the network reaches a consensus. This makes it very secure.
Consensus is reached using a protocol referred to as a consensus mechanism. Ethereum uses the proof-of-work protocol, where a network of participants runs software that attempts to prove that an encrypted number is valid.
This is called mining. The first miner to prove the validity of the number is rewarded in ether. A new block is opened on the blockchain, information from the previous block is encrypted and placed into the new block along with new data, and the mining process begins again.
Mining Farms
The proof-of-work protocol and competitive reward system are two factors that have led to the development of massive mining complexes called mining farms. Mining farms are funded by enterprises and wealthier entities whose goal is to dominate the mining process.
Proof-of-Stake Protocol
Currently, Ethereum uses the proof-of-work consensus protocol. At some point, it will move to another consensus protocol called proof-of-stake, where ETH owners stake a certain amount of their ether. Staking ether keeps it from being used in transactions. It serves as incentive and collateral for the privilege of mining.
Mining will work differently under this protocol because it won’t require everyone on the network to compete for the rewards. Instead, the protocol will randomly choose users with staked ether to verify the transactions. These validators are then rewarded in ether for their work.
Wallets
Ethereum owners use wallets to store their ether. A wallet is a digital interface that lets you access your ether stored on the blockchain. Your wallet has an address, which is similar to an email address in that it is where users send ether, much like they would an email.
Ether is not actually stored in your wallet. Your wallet holds private keys you use as you would a password when you initiate a transaction. You receive a private key for each ether you own. This key is essential for accessing your ether. That’s why you hear so much about securing keys using different storage methods.
Historic Split
One notable event in Ethereum’s history is the hard fork, or split, of Ethereum and Ethereum Classic. In 2016, a group of network participants gained majority control of the Ethereum blockchain to steal more than $50 million worth of ether, which had been raised for a project called The DAO.
The raid’s success was attributed to the involvement of a third-party developer for the new project. Most of the Ethereum community opted to reverse the theft by invalidating the existing Ethereum blockchain and approving a blockchain with a revised history.
However, a fraction of the community chose to maintain the original version of the Ethereum blockchain. That unaltered version of Ethereum permanently split to become the cryptocurrency Ethereum Classic (ETC).
Ethereum vs. Bitcoin
Ethereum is often compared to Bitcoin. While the two cryptocurrencies have many similarities, there are some some important distinctions.
Ethereum is described by the organization as “the world’s programmable blockchain,” positioning itself as an electronic, programmable network with many applications. The Bitcoin blockchain, by contrast, was created only to support the bitcoin cryptocurrency.
The Ethereum platform was founded with broad ambitions to leverage blockchain technology for many diverse applications. Bitcoin was designed strictly as a payment method.
The maximum number of bitcoins that can enter circulation is 21 million. The amount of ETH that can be created is unlimited, although the time it takes to process a block of ETH limits how much ether can be minted each year. The number of Ethereum coins in circulation is more than 120 million.
Another significant difference between Ethereum and Bitcoin is how the respective networks treat transaction processing fees. These fees, known as gas on the Ethereum network, are paid by the participants in Ethereum transactions. The fees associated with Bitcoin transactions are absorbed by the broader Bitcoin network.
A significant way that Ethereum and Bitcoin are similar is that both blockchain networks consume vast amounts of energy. This is because each of these blockchains operates using the proof-of-work protocol. Proof-of-stake uses much less energy.
The Future of Ethereum
Ethereum’s transition to the proof-of-stake protocol, which enables users to validate transactions and mint new ETH based on their ether holdings, is part of a significant upgrade to the Ethereum platform. Previously called Eth2, this upgrade is now referred to as the consensus layer.
The upgrade will also add capacity to the Ethereum network to support its growth, which will help to address chronic network congestion problems that have driven up gas fees.
Ethereum adoption continues, including by high-profile enterprises. In 2020, chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announced a joint venture with ConsenSys to create a network of data centers built on the Ethereum platform.
Since 2015, Microsoft has had a partnership with ConsenSys to develop Ethereum Blockchain as a Service (EBaaS) technology on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.
Web3
Web3 is still a concept, but it is generally theorized that it will be powered by Ethereum because many of the applications being developed use it.
Use in Gaming
Ethereum is also being implemented into gaming and virtual reality. Decentraland is a virtual world that uses the Ethereum blockchain to secure items contained within that world. Land, avatars, wearables, buildings, and environments are all tokenized through the blockchain to create ownership.
Axie Infinity is another game that uses blockchain technology and has its own cryptocurrency called Smooth Love Potion (SLP), used for rewards and transactions within the game.
Non-Fungible Tokens
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) gained popularity in 2021. NFTs are tokenized digital items created using Ethereum. Generally speaking, tokenization gives one digital asset a specific digital token that identifies it and stores it on the blockchain.
This establishes ownership because the encrypted data stores the owner’s wallet address. The NFT can be traded or sold. This is viewed as a transaction on the blockchain. The transaction is verified by the network and ownership is transferred.
NFTs are being developed for all sorts of assets. For example, sports fans can buy a sports token—also called fan tokens—of their favorite athletes, which can be treated like trading cards. Some of these NFTs are pictures that resemble a trading card, and some of them are videos of a memorable or historic moment in the athlete’s career.
The applications you may use in the metaverse, such as your wallet, a dApp, or the virtual world and buildings you visit, are likely to have been built on Ethereum.
The Development of DAOs
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), which are a collaborative method for making decisions across a distributed network, are being developed.
For example, imagine that you created a venture capital fund and raised money through fund-raising, but you want decision-making to be decentralized and distributions to be automatic and transparent.
A DAO could use smart contracts and applications to gather the votes from the fund members and buy into ventures based on the majority of the group’s votes, then automatically distribute any returns. The transactions could be viewed by all parties, and there would be no third-party involvement in handling any funds.
The part that cryptocurrency will play in the future is still vague. However, Ethereum appears to have a significant, upcoming role in personal and corporate finance and the many aspects of our modern lives.
How Can I Buy Ethereum?
Investors can use one of many cryptocurrency exchange platforms to buy and sell ether. Ethereum is supported by dedicated crypto exchanges, including Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Binance, and brokerages like Robinhood.
How Does Ethereum Make Money?
Ethereum is not a centralized organization that makes money. Miners and validators who participate in operating the Ethereum network, usually by mining, earn ETH rewards for their contributions.
Is Ethereum a Good Investment?
As with any investment, the answer to that depends on your financial objectives, goals, and risk tolerance. The cryptocurrency ETH can be volatile, putting capital at risk. However, it is certainly worth researching as an investment because the various existing and emerging innovative technologies that the organization Ethereum uses may assume larger roles in our society in the future.
Is Ethereum a Cryptocurrency?
The Ethereum platform has a native cryptocurrency, known as ether, or ETH. Ethereum itself is a blockchain technology platform that supports a wide range of decentralized applications (dApps), including cryptocurrencies. The ETH coin is commonly called Ethereum, although the distinction remains that Ethereum is a blockchain-powered platform, and ether is its cryptocurrency.
Can Ethereum Be Converted to Cash?
Yes. Investors who hold the cryptocurrency ETH can use online exchanges such as Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini for this process. Just set up an account at the exchange, link a bank account, and send ETH to the account from an Ethereum wallet. Place an order on the exchange to sell ETH. Then, once sold, transfer the U.S. dollar proceeds to the linked bank account.
Investing in cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs) is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or ICOs. Since each individual’s situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein. As of the date when this article was written, the author owns Bitcoin and Ripple.