Layer 1
Ethereum (ETH)
ETHData: Coinbase · updated 9/6/2026, 1:02:01 PM
What Ethereum does
- Runs smart contracts — self-executing code that powers DeFi apps, NFTs, and more
- ETH pays for gas fees needed to use the network
- Secured by proof-of-stake validators since the 2022 upgrade known as 'The Merge'
- Has no fixed maximum supply, unlike Bitcoin
Risks to know
- Smart contracts can contain bugs or be exploited, leading to fund losses in dApps built on Ethereum
- Gas fees can spike sharply during network congestion
- Faces growing competition from other layer-1 and layer-2 networks
- Protocol is still evolving through further planned upgrades, which carries execution risk
Where to trade ETH
Top-rated exchanges by CompareCEX Score. Check the exchange's market list for ETH availability before depositing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a smart contract?
A smart contract is code deployed on a blockchain that runs automatically when its conditions are met, without needing a middleman. Ethereum was the first major blockchain built specifically to run smart contracts at scale.
What changed in 'The Merge'?
In September 2022, Ethereum switched its consensus mechanism from proof-of-work (energy-intensive mining) to proof-of-stake, where validators lock up ETH instead of using mining hardware to secure the network.
Does Ethereum have a maximum supply like Bitcoin?
No. Ethereum does not have a hard-coded maximum supply cap the way Bitcoin does. Issuance depends on network activity and validator rewards, and has fluctuated between net inflationary and net deflationary periods.
Related coins
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