Ethereum
Proof-of-stake smart contract blockchain with ETH as its native currency.
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Ethereum key facts
| Category | Layer 1 blockchain |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Mainnet, RPC |
| Launched | July 30, 2015 (Frontier) |
| Token | ETH |
| Open source | Yes (go-ethereum, LGPL-3.0 and GPL-3.0) |
| Company | Ethereum Foundation (non-profit; does not control Ethereum) |
What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a proof-of-stake smart contract blockchain. Its Frontier release went live on July 30, 2015, and The Merge on September 15, 2022 moved it from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. Time is split into 12-second slots, and validators deposit 32 ETH to take part.
Ethereum pros and cons
- Fixed 12-second slots under proof-of-stake
- Open-source clients, including Go Ethereum (geth)
- Proof-of-stake since The Merge on September 15, 2022
- Running a solo validator requires a 32 ETH deposit
- Validators run three pieces of software: execution, consensus and validator clients
- Staked ETH can be destroyed (slashed) for rule violations
Ethereum FAQ
What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a proof-of-stake smart contract blockchain. Its Frontier release went live on July 30, 2015, and The Merge on September 15, 2022 moved it from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. Time is split into 12-second slots, and validators deposit 32 ETH to take part.
Sources
How this page works
Sources: Ethereum: official site, Ethereum: History of Ethereum, Ethereum: Proof-of-stake docs. Data as of Sep 26, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.