enabling applications beyond simple digital currency transactions, such as DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Its native cryptocurrency, ether (ETH), fuels these operations and can also be traded, used for payments, or staked to earn rewards.

1. Smart Contracts – Self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain that automatically carry out terms without intermediaries.

2. Decentralized Applications (dApps) – Apps built on Ethereum that run without central control, such as DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, and games.

3. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) – Lending, borrowing, trading, and yield farming without banks or brokers.

4. Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) – Creating, buying, and selling unique digital assets like art, music, and collectibles.

5. Payments & Transactions – Using its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), to transfer value, pay for goods/services, or cover transaction fees (gas).

In short: Ethereum is the backbone of Web3, powering smart contracts, dApps, DeFi, and NFTs—all using ETH as fuel.