Ethereum Transforms from Crypto Network to Programmable Blockchain Infrastructure Layer
Ethereum has evolved from a cryptocurrency network into a programmable blockchain infrastructure layer used for decentralized finance, stablecoin settlement, tokenization, and blockchain-based applications.
The network's native asset, ETH, is used to pay transaction fees, post collateral in some protocols, and secure the network through staking. The price of ETH is influenced by various factors, including network activity, demand for block space, use of Ethereum in staking and DeFi, macro sentiment toward crypto assets, and the pace of Ethereum's technical upgrades.
Ethereum supports a large ecosystem of decentralized applications (dapps) that use smart contracts to execute transactions and business logic onchain. These dapps are concentrated in sectors such as decentralized finance, digital collectibles, blockchain gaming, and tokenized payments.