Overview
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized open-source blockchain system featuring its native cryptocurrency, Ether. As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum serves as a platform for numerous decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.
Live Price Data
- Current Price (KRW): ₩3,476,171.05
- 24h Trading Volume: ₩25.87T
- Market Cap: ₩419.63T
- Circulating Supply: 120.71M ETH
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Change (24h) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₩3,476,171.05 | -1.76% |
| Volume/Market Cap | 6.16% | |
| Fully Diluted Market Cap | ₩419.63T |
Ethereum Statistics
- Max Supply: ∞ (Infinite)
- Website: Ethereum Official
- Whitepaper: GitHub
What Is Ethereum?
Ethereum, proposed in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin, launched in 2015 as a global platform for decentralized applications. Its core innovations include:
- Smart Contracts: Self-executing agreements without intermediaries.
- ERC-20 Tokens: Standards enabling interoperability for 280,000+ tokens (e.g., USDT, LINK).
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Powers lending, trading, and other financial services.
Founders
Ethereum was co-founded by 8 individuals, including:
- Vitalik Buterin (Conceptualized Ethereum)
- Gavin Wood (Developed Solidity, Ethereum’s programming language)
- Joseph Lubin (Founded ConsenSys)
Ethereum 2.0: The Merge
Ethereum’s transition from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) aims to enhance scalability, security, and sustainability.
Key Upgrades:
- Beacon Chain (Phase 0): Introduced PoS consensus (Dec 2020).
- Sharding (Phase 1): Splits the network into 64 chains (2021).
- Full Integration (Phase 2): Merges Ethereum 1.0 and 2.0 (2022).
👉 Explore Ethereum 2.0’s impact on DeFi
Benefits:
- Energy Efficiency: Reduces consumption by 99.9%.
- Faster Transactions: Targets 100,000 TPS post-upgrade.
- Lower Fees: Mitigates network congestion.
Staking and Rewards
- Staking Requirement: 32 ETH to become a validator.
- Annual Rewards: Estimated 5-12% APR post-Merge.
- Withdrawals: Enabled after the Shanghai upgrade (~6-12 months post-Merge).
FAQ: Ethereum Staking
Q: Can I unstake my ETH immediately after the Merge?
A: No, withdrawals will be enabled in a subsequent upgrade.
Q: What happens to ETH miners post-Merge?
A: Miners transition to validating or mine alternative PoW chains like ETHPoW.
Ethereum Ecosystem
Popular ERC-20 Tokens
| Token | Use Case | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| USDT | Stablecoin | ₩1,300.45 |
| SHIB | Meme Coin | ₩0.01577 |
| UNI | Decentralized Exchange | ₩44,210.00 |
Where to Buy Ethereum
ETH is available on major exchanges:
Risks and Challenges
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Evolving global regulations.
- Scalability: High demand can still cause congestion.
- Competition: Rivals like Solana and Cardano.
Conclusion
Ethereum remains a cornerstone of blockchain innovation, driving DeFi, NFTs, and Web3. The Merge marks a pivotal step toward a scalable, eco-friendly future. Stay updated with real-time data and market trends.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency investments are volatile. Conduct thorough research before trading.