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.

Finance

Aave rallies DeFi partners to contain fallout from $292 million KelpDAO hack

Industry players are coordinating a recovery effort as the year's biggest crypto theft rattled Aave, with Lido and EtherFi being firsts to offer aid.

By Krisztian SandorApr 23, 2026

Tech

Inside the $71 million freeze on Arbitrum that has the crypto world questioning what decentralization really means

The emergency response prevented stolen funds from moving, but sparked debate over governance, control and the limits of decentralization on Layer 2s.

By Margaux NijkerkApr 23, 2026

Tech

The Protocol: Kelp DAO exploited for $292 million

Also: DPRK hacking crypto, Aave contagion and Coinbase on quantum computing.

By Margaux NijkerkApr 22, 2026

Silhouette image of a hooded figure behind three screens. (geralt/Pixabay)

Tech

Aave could face up to $230 million in losses after Kelp DAO bridge exploit triggers DeFi chaos

Aave published a report outlining two possible outcomes: around $123 million in losses if damage is shared across all rsETH, or up to $230 million if confined to Layer 2s, with the final impact depending on how Kelp DAO allocates the shortfall.

By Margaux NijkerkApr 20, 2026

Hacker facing screens with lines of code (Boitumelo/Unsplash)

Finance

Bitmine buys 101,627 ether worth over $230 million, its largest weekly haul of 2026

The Ethereum treasury firm is nearing 5 million ETH holdings as it increased its accumulation pace over the past weeks.

By Krisztian SandorApr 20, 2026

Thomas Lee, chairman of BitMine and CIO of Fundstrat, on the main stage during Consensus Hong Kong 2026 (CoinDesk)

Finance

The $292 million Kelp exploit: how it happened, and what it means for DeFi

2026 is shaping up to be DeFi's "worst year in terms of hacks," Ledger's CTO said, as the Kelp exploit shows how a single point of failure can cascade across systems.

By Krisztian SandorApr 19, 2026

Glasses in front of monitors with code (Kevin Ku/Unsplash)

Tech

Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin warns of the dangers of AI being controlled by a few big tech firms

In an interview with CoinDesk, the Ethereum co-founder spoke also about Ethereum’s evolution through MetaMask, stablecoins and tokenization, while downplaying quantum computing as a long-term, manageable issue.

By Margaux NijkerkApr 18, 2026

Sharplink CEO Joseph Chalom and Consensys CEO Joe Lubin speaking at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 (CoinDesk)

Markets

Beaten-down digital asset treasury names lead crypto stock surge as bitcoin hits $78,000

Oil prices slumped as Trump said Iran committed to open the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. plans to acquire that country's enriched uranium as part of a deal.

By Krisztian SandorApr 17, 2026