ETH / ZAR

Ethereum is a decentralized, open‑source blockchain platform that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in July 2015 by the Ethereum Foundation, it introduced a programmable blockchain where developers can write code that runs exactly as programmed without downtime, censorship, fraud, or third‑party interference.

Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (symbol Ξ), is used to pay transaction fees and computational services on the network, with the smallest unit called wei (1 Ξ = 10¹⁸ wei). Ethereum has undergone several major upgrades, most notably the transition from proof‑of‑work to proof‑of‑stake in the “Merge” in September 2022, aiming to improve scalability and reduce energy consumption.