Ethereum News

Ethereum (ETH) was launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of co-founders as the world's first programmable blockchain, enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) that extend far beyond simple peer-to-peer transactions. After transitioning from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake consensus through "The Merge" in 2022, Ethereum now processes transactions more efficiently while maintaining its position as the foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 innovation.

The Ethereum ecosystem encompasses thousands of decentralized applications, from DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave to NFT marketplaces, gaming platforms, and layer-2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum and Polygon. Developers, validators, and users interact within this programmable economy where ETH serves as both a digital currency and the fuel powering smart contract execution through gas fees.

CoinDesk covers all aspects of Etherum, from protocol upgrades and scaling developments to DeFi innovation and regulatory implications. Our reporters track everything from Ethereum's roadmap milestones and staking developments to the broader implications of programmable money and decentralized autonomous organizations.

DISCLOSURE: This text was written with the assistance of AI, then reviewed by a person.

Markets

Institutions Will Start Buying Ether in 2021, Messari Analyst Says

CME Group's announcement that it will launch ether (ETH) futures on Feb. 8, 2021, could spur heightened institutional interest.

By Kevin ReynoldsDec 27, 2020

Markets

Ether Trades Above $700 for the First Time Since 2018

Ether is up over 11% in the past 24 hours.

By Lawrence LewitinnDec 27, 2020

Videos

What You Need to Know About Ethereum 2.0

Ethereum 2.0’s Beacon Chain went live in December. CoinDesk reporter William Foxley explains the significance of this event and how you can track the network’s progress.

Dec 23, 2020

Markets

Camila Russo on Building The Defiant and the Future of DeFi

The Defiant is required reading about DeFi these days. How did "one more Bloomberg journalist" become a successful media entrepreneur and influencer?

By Jeff WilserDec 23, 2020

Markets

First Mover: XRP Plunges 20% as Traders Assess SEC's Ripple Suit

The SEC's suit against Ripple has triggered a steep sell-off in price for the payments token XRP. Meanwhile, prices for Chainlink's token have increased sevenfold this year, most among CoinDesk 20.

By Bradley KeounDec 23, 2020

In the darkest days of the year, it's typically time for reflection, but the news on Ripple brought a December surprise.

Tech

What Is a Blockchain Oracle?

An oracle sends data from the outside world to a blockchain so specific data, like temperature, can execute the disbursement of money.

By Alyssa HertigDec 22, 2020

Markets

First Mover: Bitcoin Rally Stalls as 'DeFi Summer' Proves Endless

This year's explosion in decentralized finance, or DeFi, highlighted just how much innovation was happening in digital-asset markets, beyond bitcoin.

By Bradley Keoun, Omkar Godbole, Sebastian SinclairDec 18, 2020

The 'Summer of DeFi' just keeps on going, with collateral locked into decentralized finance protocols surging to a new all-time high.

Markets

First Mover: Geek-Fest Turns Relevant as Bitcoin Passes $21K, $22K, $23K

As bitcoin prices push to new all-time highs, it's worth recalling May's "halving," which highlighted the cryptocurrency's potential inflation resistance.

By Bradley Keoun, Omkar Godbole, Sebastian SinclairDec 17, 2020

Just a day after bitcoin prices topped $20,000 for the first time, they've already passed $23,000.

Markets

CME Announces Ether Futures Contracts

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) announced Wednesday it will launch a futures contract on ether, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency by market value, in February.

By Omkar GodboleDec 16, 2020