A decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and the creation of decentralized applications (DApps). Ethereum not only supports its cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), which is used for transaction fees and as a digital asset, but also allows developers to build and deploy smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code. This functionality makes Ethereum a versatile platform for various applications beyond simple transactions, including DeFi (Decentralized Finance), NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and more, all operating on a network maintained by a global community of nodes.