Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart contract functionality. It was proposed in late 2013 by programmer Vitalik Buterin and development began in early 2014, with the network going live on July 30, 2015. Ethereum's native cryptocurrency is called Ether (ETH).

Here are a few key points about Ethereum:

1. **Smart Contracts**: One of Ethereum's major innovations is the ability to create and execute smart contracts—self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code. These contracts run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), making them tamper-proof and autonomous.

2. **Decentralized Applications (dApps)**: Ethereum supports a wide array of decentralized applications, or dApps, that operate on its network. These can range from financial services (DeFi) to gaming, supply chain tracking, and more

Decentralized applications running on Ethereum provide endless possibilities for innovation and disruption across various industries. 