Ethereum is an open-source, decentralized blockchain platform created by Vitalik Buterin in 2015. It allows developers to create and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps) that operate without interruption, censorship, fraud or third party interference. The main cryptocurrency of the platform is ether (ETH), used to pay for transactions and computing services on the Ethereum network. What sets Ethereum apart is its ability to support complex programming logic and automated processes, making it a popular choice for building decentralized financial applications (DeFi) and other innovative blockchain solutions.