Ethereum was introduced in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, and since then, it has become a major player in the crypto industry thanks to its interesting use case and unique features. Ethereum is one of the most important cryptocurrencies, being the second-largest digital asset by market cap after Bitcoin. It has become so popular because it succeeded in offering something new from what Bitcoin had, including smart contracts and dApps. The current Ethereum price holds approximately 20% of the total crypto market, which is why it is an important virtual coin that people can opt for.
Let’s find out more about the history of Ethereum.
The birth of Ethereum: How did Ethereum come to be?
Ethereum was born with the vision to create a blockchain technology that will have functions beyond just financial transactions. Unlike Bitcoin, which was made only for financial use, Ethereum was conceived to serve as a platform for decentralized applications. The concept was detailed in a whitepaper released in 2013, which elucidated the principles behind this technology and the potential applications it had in real life and set the groundwork for what the blockchain industry would become.
Buterin, with his co-developers Jeffrey Wilcke and Gavin Wood, announced the start of Ethereum in 2013, which marked the beginning of an ambitious journey. The platform’s development was fueled by an initial coin offering in 2014, which established Ethereum as an important player, raising over $18 million.
The first public release of Ethereum was made in July 2015, almost two years after the publication of the whitepaper. The event marked the official birth of Ethereum, which, over the years, has become one of the most important cryptocurrencies.
What are the main reasons behind the popularity of Ethereum?
Bitcoin was the king of crypto for a very long time, but things have changed with the creation of Ethereum, which also became as popular as the original. In fact, many people find it more interesting than Bitcoin because it has brought innovations, including smart contracts and the possibility of building dApps.
Also, the popularity of Ethereum has been seen in the fact that it succeeded in becoming the second-largest digital asset by market capitalization. The market cap is a metric that shows the total value of the minted coins, being calculated with the help of its current price and circulating supply. Market capitalization is a vital tool, as it determines the stability of digital assets.
Although the crypto world is very volatile and there are no guarantees, a larger cap usually means that the virtual currency can withstand market volatility better. Also, market capitalization gives insights into the performance of a digital currency, which can help in making a more informed decision.
Ethereum is one of the most important cryptocurrencies today, and over the years, it has established itself as an essential player in the crypto sector. It doesn’t allow users only to trade digital coins but also provides the possibility of building dApps or facilitates functionalities like NFTs, gaming, financial services, etc. Additionally, Ethereum offers versatility and flexibility, benefits that have led to global adoption and attracted plenty of users and developers.
Ethereum has tried to improve its security, sustainability and scalability, which is why it went through several upgrades, increasing its popularity. Digital assets’ advancement plays an important role in the position of Ethereum as a leading cryptocurrency.
Important events in the history of Ethereum
Over the years, Ethereum has undergone several changes, resulting in positive price changes. Here are some of the major events it went through.
The Merge
The Ethereum Merge took place on September 15, 2022, when the platform changed from a proof-of-work system to a proof-of-stake one. This event contributed to the popularity of the digital asset, as it met some of Ethereum’s scalability and sustainability goals. The Merge drew people’s attention, resulting in a positive market sentiment and a growth in price.
The Shanghai Upgrade
Ethereum also went through other milestones that impacted the crypto positively by improving its security and scalability. The upgrade changed how blockchain works, allowing users to unstake ETH and reduce transaction costs. The Shanghai Upgrade was an important event, increasing the Ethereum demand.
DeFi Boom
Introducing decentralized finance (DeFi) was critical for the entire financial system and crypto industry. The tool allowed people to utilize financial services regardless of location, which played an important role in the popularity of digital currency.
ICO Boom
2017 and 2019 were critical years for ICO, and they helped propel the growth of Ethereum. The Initial Coin Offerings imply crowdfunding and enable companies in the crypto industry to raise capital in a different way from the traditional IPO process. The ICO boom had an essential impact on the market cap of Ethereum, making it the reliable digital asset it is today.
The Bottom line
Ethereum is an important crypto with an impressive market cap. From its first creation until today, this digital asset had a remarkable journey and met popularity sooner than expected. Although Ethereum has seen some price fluctuations because of many factors, the currency still managed to maintain its value. This fact also happened because of the events it went through, like the Shanghai Upgrade and the Merge, which increased its popularity.
Those who want to gain valuable insight into the future performance of Ethereum should look at its history, the charts of the last few years and the market trends it went through. The ecosystem of Ethereum is still maturing, and this is why it is expected to reach new heights, which will offer new opportunities to investors. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that cryptocurrencies are very volatile and risky, and market fluctuation can happen at any moment. So, it is essential to be very careful and do detailed research before investing in any crypto.
