Ethereum (ETH)
Glossary
Basics
Ethereum (ETH)
The largest smart-contract blockchain, host to most DeFi and NFT activity.
Definition
In depth
Ethereum is a programmable blockchain that lets developers deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications. ETH, its native token, is used to pay gas fees and secure the network through proof-of-stake. Ethereum hosts the majority of DeFi, NFTs and stablecoin activity.
Related
Related terms
Smart contract
A self-executing program deployed on a blockchain.
Gas
The fee paid to a blockchain (esp. Ethereum) to execute a transaction.
Proof of Stake (PoS)
Consensus model where validators lock up tokens as collateral instead of burning energy.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance)
Financial apps that run on public blockchains without intermediaries.
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