what is ethereum?

Ethereum, launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, extends the capabilities of blockchain technology by providing a platform for decentralized applications (dApps). Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily focuses on digital currency, Ethereum allows for the creation and execution of smart contracts—self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. This enables complex programmable transactions and a wide array of applications, from decentralized finance (DeFi) to gaming and beyond.