# Ethereum

> public blockchain platform with programmable transaction functionality

**Wikidata**: [Q16783523](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16783523)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethereum)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ethereum

## Summary
Ethereum is a public blockchain platform with programmable transaction functionality that allows developers to build and deploy decentralized applications through smart contracts. Founded by Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood in 2015, it enables more than just cryptocurrency transactions, creating a foundation for a decentralized digital ecosystem.

## Key Facts
- Ethereum was founded by Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood on July 30, 2015
- The platform transitioned from proof of work to proof of stake consensus mechanism on September 15, 2022
- Ethereum has a market capitalization of $294,770,121,895 as of January 25, 2022
- Its cryptocurrency uses the symbol Ξ/ξ and the code ETH
- The platform supports development using programming languages including Go, Java, Python, and assembly language
- Ethereum is compatible with multiple operating systems: Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS
- The project has headquarters in Switzerland and maintains its main website at ethereum.org

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between Ethereum and Bitcoin?
A: While both are cryptocurrencies and blockchain platforms, Ethereum is distinguished by its programmability, allowing for smart contracts and decentralized applications. Bitcoin primarily serves as a digital currency and store of value, with more limited functionality beyond transactions.

### Q: Who created Ethereum and when?
A: Ethereum was created by Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood, with Vitalik being the main founder. Vitalik is a Russian-Canadian computer scientist born on January 31, 1994, while Gavin Wood is a British computer scientist and decentralized internet pioneer born on April 22, 1980. The platform launched on July 30, 2015.

### Q: What is the Ethereum Merge?
A: The Ethereum Merge refers to the transition from proof of work to proof of stake consensus mechanism, which occurred on September 15, 2022. This change significantly reduced the network's energy consumption while maintaining security.

### Q: What programming languages are used with Ethereum?
A: Ethereum's development ecosystem includes multiple programming languages, with primary implementations in Go, Java, Python, and assembly language. This diverse language support enables developers to build applications using familiar tools while leveraging blockchain functionality.

## Why It Matters
Ethereum matters because it revolutionized blockchain technology by introducing programmability through smart contracts, enabling the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) and facilitating the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi). It provides a platform beyond simple transactions, allowing developers to build complex applications that can operate without centralized control. This has led to the emergence of a new digital economy, including tokenization, decentralized exchanges, and novel financial instruments. Ethereum's shift to proof of stake has also made blockchain technology more environmentally sustainable, addressing one of the major criticisms of early cryptocurrency networks and enabling broader adoption.

## Notable For
- Being the first major blockchain platform to support smart contracts, enabling programmable transactions and decentralized applications
- Transitioning from proof of work to proof of stake in 2022 (The Merge), significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining security
- Supporting a rich ecosystem of programming languages including Go, Java, Python, and others for development
- Hosting a wide range of decentralized applications and financial services through its blockchain infrastructure
- Having dual identities as both a cryptocurrency (ETH) and a comprehensive development platform for dApps

## Body

### Overview
Ethereum is a public blockchain platform with programmable transaction functionality. It was founded by Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood on July 30, 2015. The platform supports smart contracts, allowing developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) that can execute code automatically when conditions are met.

### Technology
- Consensus mechanism: Transitioned from proof of work (until September 15, 2022) to proof of stake (since September 15, 2022)
- Primary programming languages: Go, Java, Python, assembly language
- Compatible operating systems: Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS
- Subdivision unit: wei
- Currency symbol: Ξ/ξ, code: ETH
- License: GNU General Public License, version 3.0 (preferred), with some components using MIT License

### Development
- Version history includes multiple releases ranging from 1.4.19 (2016) to 6.0 trust green (2015)
- GitHub repository maintained by the ethereum organization
- Website: ethereum.org, available in multiple languages
- Headquarters located in Switzerland
- Open-source development with continuous integration practices

### Community
- Reddit community: /r/ethereum (since December 14, 2013)
- Twitter account: @ethereum (verified, created January 26, 2014)
- YouTube channels: Ethereum (UC6rYoXJ_3BbPyWx_GQDDRRQ) and Ethereum Foundation (UCNOfzGXD_C9YMYmnefmPH0g)
- Stack Exchange site for technical questions at ethereum.stackexchange.com

### Related Projects
- Dai: Stablecoin cryptocurrency on the Ethereum blockchain generated by MakerDAO (inception: December 18, 2017)
- Foundation: Auctioning website for art and other digital assets based on the Ethereum blockchain
- Various programming languages including Go, Java, Python, XML, and Cascading Style Sheets are related to Ethereum's development ecosystem

### Market Information
- Market capitalization: $294,770,121,895 (as of January 25, 2022)
- Price: $1,583.03 (as of October 16, 2023)
- Stock exchanges: GDAX, eToro, Binance
- CoinMarketCap cryptocurrency ID: ethereum
- Social media followers: 3,069,226 on Twitter (as of February 8, 2023)

### Competition
Ethereum competes with:
- Ripple (payment protocol, inception: 2012-2013)
- Bitcoin (cryptocurrency, inception: 2009)
- Tezos (different due to off-chain governance and proof of work vs. Ethereum's approach)

## References

1. [Source](https://ethereum.org/static/07d7e123fecfe63aa415a92a6f96bb0d/9874c/ethereum-wordmark-purple.webp)
2. [Source](https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2014/10/07/l-ether-la-future-monnaie-qui-vaut-deja-des-millions_4501940_4408996.html)
3. [Source](https://ethereum.org/static/a183661dd70e0e5c70689a0ec95ef0ba/81d9f/eth-diamond-purple.webp)
4. [Source](https://craft.co/ethereum)
5. [Source](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/blob/master/COPYING)
6. [Source](https://github.com/ethereum/ethereum-org-website/blob/dev/LICENSE)
7. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases)
8. [Source](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.10.15)
9. [Source](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.10.25)
10. [Release 1.8.0. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.0)
11. [Release 1.8.1. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.1)
12. [Release 1.8.2. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.2)
13. [Release 1.8.3. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.3)
14. [Release 1.8.4. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.4)
15. [Release 1.8.5. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.5)
16. [Release 1.8.6. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.6)
17. [Release 1.8.7. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.7)
18. [Release 1.8.8. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.8)
19. [Release 1.8.9. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.9)
20. [Release 1.8.10. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.10)
21. [Release 1.8.11. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.11)
22. [Release 1.8.12. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.12)
23. [Release 1.8.13. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.13)
24. [Release 1.8.14. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.14)
25. [Release 1.8.15. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.15)
26. [Release 1.8.16. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.16)
27. [Release 1.8.17. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.17)
28. [Release 1.8.18. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.18)
29. [Release 1.8.19. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.19)
30. [Release 1.8.20. 2018](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.20)
31. [Release 1.8.21. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.21)
32. [Release 1.8.22. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.22)
33. [Release 1.8.23. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.23)
34. [Release 1.8.24. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.24)
35. [Release 1.8.25. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.25)
36. [Release 1.8.26. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.26)
37. [Release 1.8.27. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.8.27)
38. [Release 1.9.0. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.0)
39. [Release 1.9.2. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.2)
40. [Release 1.9.3. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.3)
41. [Release 1.9.4. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.4)
42. [Release 1.9.5. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.5)
43. [Release 1.9.6. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.6)
44. [Release 1.9.7. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.7)
45. [Release 1.9.8. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.8)
46. [Release 1.9.9. 2019](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.9)
47. [Release 1.9.10. 2020](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.10)
48. [Release 1.9.11. 2020](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.11)
49. [Release 1.9.12. 2020](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.12)
50. [Release 1.9.13. 2020](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.9.13)