Ethereum / United States Dollar

Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world by market capitalization. It is based on a decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart-contract functionality. It was conceived in 2013 by programmer Vitalik Buterin, along with other developers. The network went live on 30 July 2015. On the open-source platform, any person can initiate permanent and immutable decentralized applications. This decentralized finance (DeFi) application allows financial services to be conducted without the involvement of traditional financial intermediaries, like brokerages, exchanges or banks.