CryptoFindrCryptoFindr
Ethereum

Ethereum (ETH)

layer-1

Ethereum is the leading smart contract platform and the foundation for DeFi, NFTs, and thousands of decentralized applications. It transitioned to proof-of-stake in 2022 with 'The Merge.'

Consensus: Proof of Stake (Gasper / Casper FFG + LMD-GHOST)Launched: 2015Official Website

About Ethereum

Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain featuring smart contract functionality. Proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013 and launched in 2015, Ethereum introduced the concept of a programmable blockchain where developers can deploy decentralized applications (dApps). The network completed its transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in September 2022 ('The Merge'), reducing energy consumption by over 99%. Ethereum's roadmap includes further scaling through Proto-Danksharding (EIP-4844), full Danksharding, and improvements to the execution layer. The ecosystem is the largest in crypto, hosting the majority of DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, Layer 2 networks, and stablecoins.

Technical Specifications

15–30

TPS

~12 seconds

Block Time

$0.50–$50+

Gas Fees

Proof of Stake (Gasper / Casper FFG + LMD-GHOST)

Consensus

Staking

3–5%

APY

32 ETH (solo) or any amount via liquid staking

Min Stake

Variable (withdrawals enabled post-Shanghai)

Lock Period

Use Cases

Decentralized finance (DeFi) — lending, borrowing, and trading
NFT creation, trading, and digital collectibles
Building and deploying decentralized applications (dApps)
Staking ETH to earn passive yield while securing the network

Pros

  • Largest smart contract ecosystem with the most developers and dApps
  • Proof-of-stake reduces energy consumption by over 99% compared to PoW
  • Native staking yields 3–5% APY with liquid staking options available
  • Strong Layer 2 ecosystem (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, zkSync) for cheaper transactions
  • Deflationary tokenomics via EIP-1559 fee burning mechanism

Cons

  • Base layer gas fees remain high during network congestion
  • Lower throughput than newer Layer 1 competitors
  • Solo staking requires 32 ETH minimum (~$100k+ at current prices)
  • Complex roadmap with multiple years of upgrades still ahead

Where to Buy

BinanceCoinbaseKrakenBybitOKXGeminiKuCoinCrypto.comBitfinexGate.io

Frequently Asked Questions

This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk.

Quick Info

Symbol
ETH
Category
layer-1
Launched
2015
Smart Contracts
Yes
EVM Compatible
Yes
Staking APY
3–5%

Last updated: 2026-04-01