Ether is the native asset of Ethereum, a network for programmable transactions. ETH is used to pay network fees and participate in staking; this chart quotes it in US dollars.
History and development
Ethereum went live in July 2015, extending blockchain use beyond payments to programs known as smart contracts. A shared execution platform provided a foundation for decentralized finance and applications handling digital assets.
The Merge on September 15, 2022 changed its consensus mechanism from proof of work to proof of stake while preserving the existing ledger and assets. ETH remains the asset used for network fees and staking as the platform evolves.
References: Ethereum: The Merge
Comparing charts on this board
Compare ETH with BTC and Solana to contrast the broader crypto market with application-platform assets. ETH outperformance of BTC invites examination of participation beyond Bitcoin.
An ETH-Solana gap directs attention to network use, upgrades and fee-related news. Separate joint platform strength from ETH-only leadership.
Related charts: BTC / USD · Solana / USD · ETH / JPY
Official references: Ethereum: comparison with Bitcoin