Ethereum was introduced by Vitalik Buterin in 2015, with the intention of taking blockchain technology beyond the confines of cryptocurrency transactions. 以太幣價格 innovative approach lies in its ability to support smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements with the terms directly written into code. This breakthrough not only eliminated the need for intermediaries in various processes but also gave birth to the concept of Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
At the heart of Ethereum’s architecture is its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), which fuels the network and serves as a means of value transfer. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum’s primary focus extends beyond being a mere digital currency; it strives to provide a decentralized platform for developers to build applications on its blockchain. This has led to the creation of a plethora of decentralized applications, ranging from decentralized exchanges and lending platforms to digital art marketplaces and even virtual real estate ownership.
One of Ethereum’s most significant contributions is to the DeFi movement. DeFi aims to recreate traditional financial instruments such as loans, insurance, and trading on a decentralized infrastructure, eliminating intermediaries and enhancing accessibility. Through the implementation of smart contracts, Ethereum enables the creation of these financial tools in a transparent and automated manner, enabling users to have more control over their financial assets and decisions.
However, Ethereum has not been without its challenges. As its popularity surged, concerns about scalability and energy consumption came to the forefront. Ethereum’s current proof-of-work consensus mechanism requires substantial computational power, leading to energy-intensive mining operations. To address these concerns, Ethereum is transitioning to a proof-of-stake mechanism as part of its Ethereum 2.0 upgrade.