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Beginner's Guide

What is Ethereum?

The world's programmable blockchain. Learn how Ethereum powers DeFi, NFTs, and the future of the internet.

12 min read
ETH: $3,500
#2 Market Cap

Understanding Ethereum

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart contract functionality. While Bitcoin was designed to be digital money, Ethereum was built to be a global computer that anyone can program.

Bitcoin

Digital Gold

  • Store of value
  • Fixed supply (21M)
  • Simple transactions

Ethereum

World Computer

  • Programmable contracts
  • DeFi & NFTs
  • Decentralized apps

Key Insight: Ethereum's native currency is called Ether (ETH). It's used to pay for transactions (gas fees) and to secure the network through staking.

ETH Investment Time Machine

See what your investment would be worth today if you had bought ETH in the past.

ETH Price in 2017

$50

ETH Purchased

2.0000

Value Today

$7,000

ROI

+6,900%

Your $100 investment in 2017 would be worth $7,000 today!

Gas Fee Calculator

Gas fees are the cost of executing transactions on Ethereum. Fees vary based on network demand and transaction complexity.

Low (5)30 GweiHigh (200)

Gas Limit

21,000

Fee in ETH

0.000630

Fee in USD

$2.21

Network is currently moderate

Smart Contract Simulation

Smart contracts are self-executing programs on the blockchain. Watch how a contract executes step by step.

User sends transaction

Contract receives call

Conditions checked

State updated

Event emitted

Transaction confirmed

ETH Staking Rewards Calculator

Stake your ETH to help secure the network and earn rewards. Current APR: ~4.5%

32 ETH required for solo staking, any amount for liquid staking

1 year1 years10 years

Yearly Reward

1.4400 ETH

Total Rewards

1.4400 ETH

Final Balance

33.4400 ETH

USD Value

$117,040

What Can You Do With Ethereum?

DeFi Ecosystem on Ethereum

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols built on Ethereum manage billions in value without intermediaries.

🦄

Uniswap

DEX

$5.2B

TVL

👻

Aave

Lending

$12B

TVL

🌊

Lido

Staking

$25B

TVL

🔄

Curve

DEX

$2.5B

TVL

🏛️

MakerDAO

Stablecoin

$8B

TVL

🏦

Compound

Lending

$2B

TVL

Total Value Locked in Ethereum DeFi: $55+ Billion

Frequently Asked Questions

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