Where Bitcoin focuses on being money, Ethereum is closer to a shared world computer: developers deploy code that runs exactly as written, powering everything from stablecoins to DeFi and NFTs.
Ethereum secures itself with proof of stake, where validators lock up ETH rather than burning energy. It is the second-largest crypto asset and the backbone of much of the wider ecosystem.
What Is Crypto and Blockchain? A Plain-English Start
Key takeaways
- Ethereum is a programmable blockchain, not just a currency.
- Its coin, ether, pays for transactions and computation on the network.
- Much of DeFi, stablecoins and NFTs is built on top of it.
Ethereum — preguntas frecuentes
What makes Ethereum different from Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is designed mainly as money, while Ethereum is a platform for running programs called smart contracts.
What is ether used for?
It pays the fees to use the network and, under proof of stake, is staked by validators to help secure it.
This definition is educational and not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and high-risk — always do your own research.
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