Ethereum, in its simplest form, is a blockchain-a digital ledger that holds transactions which are secure, transparent, and immutable. But unlike Bitcoin, which is primarily used for value transfer, Ethereum is meant to be a platform for application development.
ETH blockchain hosts a programming language called Solidity, through which developers build self-executing codes, known as ‘smart contracts,’ and this is what distinguishes this cryptocurrency from other blockchains.
As of 2025, Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization, with over 4,000 decentralized applications (DApps) built on it and approximately 90 percent of TVL in ETH-based DeFi protocols. This illustrates the significant financial scope of the network.
Also read: Ethereum’s New Privacy Features: Is a Shift in Blockchain Transparency?