Ethereum (ETH) is trading at $2,037.25 as of 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time on November 12, 2026, marking a $17.57 decline from the previous day and a $1,377 drop over the past year. The cryptocurrency has seen significant volatility, with a 0.85% decrease from yesterday, a 19.90% drop over the past month, and a 40.32% loss compared to its price one year ago.
Ethereum stands as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, valued at approximately $233 billion. Unlike Bitcoin, which is primarily a digital currency, Ethereum functions as a decentralized computing platform, enabling the development and operation of applications without centralized control. Its native token, ETH, is used to facilitate transactions and activities on the network.
The price of Ethereum has experienced dramatic fluctuations since its launch in 2014, when each token was worth about 31 cents. It reached a peak of nearly $5,000 in August 2025, reflecting a staggering 1.6 million percent increase from its initial value. However, recent downturns have been influenced by factors such as recession fears and the sale of millions of dollars' worth of ETH by co-founder Vitalik Buterin.
Several factors influence Ethereum's price, including investor speculation, network use, economic conditions, regulation, and competition from other blockchain platforms. Despite its volatility, Ethereum's role as a foundational technology for decentralized applications and smart contracts continues to attract investors who see long-term potential beyond its use as a digital currency.