Ethereum is a decentralized, blockchain-based, open-source software platform that was started in 2015. It’s mainly known for its own cryptocurrency – Ether.

Ethereum is more than a platform, however. It’s also a programming language that runs on a blockchain and helps developers to make applications.

Ethereum is the main competitor to Bitcoin and is the second-largest cryptocurrency available. It has an estimated market cap of around twenty billion dollars. 

If you’re interested in using cryptocurrency or decentralized apps, then it’s important that you know what your options are. So continue reading and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Ethereum!

The Ethereum Network

Ethereum is the DIY platform for decentralized applications (Dapps). If you want to develop a decentralized program that nobody can control, then all you have to do is learn the Ethereum programming language and start coding. Ethereum is the infrastructure for running Dapps around the world.

It needs to be stressed that Ethereum itself is not a currency but a platform.

Ether

Ether is the currency used to incentivize the Ethereum network.

In order for the decentralized Ethereum network to run properly, it needs to use thousands of computers all over the world. While this is an effective way to decentralize the platform, it’s also expensive.

It costs money to operate these machines, store them, and cool them too. This is the main reason why Ether was invented. When people talk about the price of Ethereum, they’re actually referring to the price of Ether. 

This system is very similar to the way that Bitcoin miners get paid to maintain the Bitcoin blockchain.

In order to deploy a smart contract to the Ethereum platform, its author needs to pay to do so. This payment will be made in the form of Ether. The point of this is to get people to write efficient code and not waste the Ethereum network computing power on unnecessary tasks. 

Uniswap 

Uniswap is a decentralized exchange where new coins can be listed on the Ethereum network. On this exchange, you can swap Ether coins for other kinds of coins.  

One of the coins on this exchange is the UNI token. Owners of these tokens will be able to vote on important issues that can affect the direction that Uniswap takes as a whole. 

You can learn how to claim UNI tokens and get in on the action early. 

The Importance of Knowing What Ethereum Is

Ethereum is more than a cryptocurrency. It’s a completely decentralized network that’s attempting to change the shape of the internet as we know it. By learning more about Ethereum, what it is, and how it works, you’ll be able to make more educated decisions when it comes to how you interact with the internet.

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