Solana Explained: The High-Speed Ethereum Competitor
Solana processes thousands of transactions per second at fractions of a cent. Here is how it compares to Ethereum.
Topic
Ethereum: News, Guides and Analysis
Our coverage of Ethereum — the second-largest cryptocurrency and the foundation of most DeFi, NFTs, and stablecoins. Guides for newcomers and analysis for serious followers.
Ethereum is the largest smart-contract platform and the foundation for most of crypto's non-Bitcoin activity. It hosts the majority of stablecoins, the bulk of DeFi, the largest NFT marketplaces, and an ecosystem of Layer 2 networks that handle most everyday transactions.
Ethereum's defining feature is general-purpose programmability. Where Bitcoin is purpose-built to be money, Ethereum is designed to be a global computer that runs financial logic, identity systems, and applications no central authority controls.
This page collects our Ethereum coverage. Newcomers should start with What Is Ethereum and our DeFi guide. For more advanced topics, see our pieces on Layer 2 networks and proof-of-stake consensus.
Articles in this topic
ENS and Web3 Domains Explained: Do You Need One?
Replace long wallet addresses with human-readable names. Here is how Web3 naming works.
What Is Ethereum? A Plain-English Explanation
Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency and the foundation for most of DeFi, NFTs, and stablecoins. Here is what it is, what makes it different from Bitcoin, and why it matters.
Bitcoin vs Ethereum: Which Should You Buy?
The two largest cryptocurrencies serve different purposes, have different risk profiles, and attract different kinds of investors. Here is how to think about the choice.
Understanding DeFi: A Beginner's Guide to Decentralized Finance
DeFi promises to rebuild the financial system on open, permissionless rails. Here is what it actually is, what it can and cannot do, and what the real risks look like.
Smart Contracts Explained: What They Are and Why They Matter
Smart contracts are the foundation of every blockchain application that is not just transferring money. Here is what they actually are and how they work.
Layer 2 Networks Compared: Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Polygon
Most Ethereum activity now happens on Layer 2s rather than the base layer. Here is how the leading networks differ in design, security model, and ecosystem.
Crypto Staking: How to Earn Yield Safely
Staking lets you earn yield by helping secure a Proof of Stake blockchain. Here is how it works, what the real risks are, and how to do it without getting burned.
Proof of Work vs Proof of Stake: A Detailed Comparison
The two dominant ways blockchains reach consensus differ in security model, energy use, and political economy. Here is a careful comparison.
Stablecoins Explained: USDC, USDT, and How They Work
Stablecoins move more value than Visa on a busy day. Here is what they are, how they stay pegged to the dollar, and what can go wrong.
The Real-World Asset Thesis: Tokenizing Treasuries On-Chain
Bringing traditional financial instruments onto blockchains is one of the fastest-growing trends in crypto. Here is what is actually happening and why it matters.
What Are NFTs? Beyond the Hype
After the speculative mania of 2021-22, NFTs have settled into more durable use cases. Here is what they actually are and what came of the hype.
DAOs Explained: How Decentralized Organizations Actually Work
DAOs were supposed to revolutionize how groups coordinate. Here is what they really are, what they have proven good at, and where they have run into problems.
Reading On-Chain Data: A Practical Primer
On-chain analytics promise unique insight into crypto markets. Here is what they actually measure, what they tell you reliably, and where the popular metrics oversell their conclusions.
Ready to put theory into practice?
Open an account with Kraken — one of the longest-running, most regulated crypto exchanges in the world. Sponsored.