Ethereum ETH
Ethereum is the largest smart-contract blockchain and the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.
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Market data
Key metrics
Price chart
Ethereum price chart
Converter
ETH to USD calculator
Convert any amount of ETH to USD (or USD to ETH) at the live mid-market rate.
Rate: 1 ETH = 1,576.77 USD. Live mid-market price refreshed every 5 minutes. Exchanges may quote slightly different rates including spread and fees.
Where to buy
Compare verified ETH exchanges
A broader comparison of up to five exchange partners with ETH support and a region-routed sign-up link, ranked by HodlChecker score rather than bonus size.
We may earn a commission when you sign up via our links — this never affects price or our rankings. Crypto is volatile and you can lose money. Availability varies by country.
Stake Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum uses Proof of Stake, so ETH holders may be able to earn variable validator or delegation rewards instead of mining rewards. The right route depends on whether you want convenience, self-custody, liquidity, or direct validator-level exposure.
| Route | Best for | Minimum | Custody | Main risk | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exchange staking The simplest path is to buy ETH on an exchange and opt into its staking or earn product. The exchange handles validators, payouts, and withdrawals, but it also controls custody and takes a fee or commission from rewards. | Beginners who want the fewest moving parts | Low or no minimum | Custodial | Platform, fees, regional availability | Stake on Coinbase |
Self-custody staking Hardware-wallet users can keep ETH in self-custody while accessing staking integrations through wallet apps or supported providers. This is a better fit for users who care about key ownership but still want a guided interface. | Wallet users who want more control | Varies by provider | You control wallet keys | Wallet security, provider integration | Secure ETH with Ledger |
Liquid staking Protocols such as Lido and Rocket Pool issue liquid staking tokens like stETH or rETH. Those tokens can earn staking exposure while remaining usable in DeFi, but they can trade away from ETH and add protocol risk. | DeFi users who want a tradable staking token | Low minimums | Smart contracts | Smart contract, peg, oracle risk | Learn liquid staking |
Solo validator Running your own validator gives the cleanest protocol-level staking exposure and avoids third-party custody. It also requires infrastructure, monitoring, validator-key hygiene, and a clear plan for downtime or client issues. | Advanced users with 32 ETH and ops experience | 32 ETH | Self-custody | Downtime, slashing, key management | Read solo validator guide |
Easiest setup
Exchange staking keeps buying, holding, staking, and unstaking in one account. It is usually the simplest route, but you depend on the exchange's custody, fees, and regional terms.
More control
Self-custody staking is better for users who want to control wallet keys. It adds responsibility: seed phrase security, provider selection, and understanding how withdrawals work.
Network-specific options
PoS staking mechanics vary by network. Some assets support delegation, some require validator infrastructure, and some have liquid staking wrappers. Check lockups, slashing, liquidity, and withdrawal timing before choosing.
Staking risks to check first
- Validator rewards are variable, not fixed interest.
- Poor validator performance can reduce rewards, and severe faults can be slashed.
- Custodial staking means someone else controls withdrawal keys or fund operations.
- Liquid staking tokens can trade away from their expected ETH value during market stress.
Ethereum ETF and brokerage exposure
ETH can be accessed through crypto exchanges, self-custody wallets, and traditional brokerage products. These routes can look similar on a price chart but differ in custody, fees, staking access, and tax handling.
Direct ETH
You hold ETH in your own wallet or at an exchange. This gives the clearest asset exposure and lets you choose whether to stake, bridge to L2s, or use DeFi, but you are responsible for custody and transaction fees.
Spot ETH products
A spot ether ETF or ETP tracks ETH through a brokerage account. It can simplify tax reporting and custody for some investors, but fees, market hours, and product structure mean it is not identical to holding ETH directly.
Staked ETH products
Some products stake part of their ETH holdings and distribute staking rewards after fees. They add income potential but also introduce validator, custodian, liquidity, and product-specific risks.
Product availability, staking policy, fees, and tax treatment vary by country and issuer. Read the prospectus before treating an ETF, ETP, or trust as a substitute for holding ETH directly.
Ethereum Layer-2 ecosystem
Ethereum increasingly acts as a settlement and data-availability layer for rollups. Users often transact on L2s for lower fees, while the rollups post proofs or data back to Ethereum. That means ETH demand can come from direct L1 activity, L2 settlement, blob fees, and the broader app ecosystem built on top.
| Network | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitrum | Optimistic rollup | Large DeFi and trading ecosystem |
| Optimism | Optimistic rollup | OP Stack network and Superchain base layer |
| Base | Optimistic rollup | Coinbase-backed retail and app distribution |
| zkSync | ZK rollup | Zero-knowledge scaling network for apps and payments |
| Starknet | ZK rollup | Cairo-based execution and validity proofs |
About the asset
About Ethereum
Ethereum is a global, open-source platform for decentralized applications. In other words, it is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and applications without central authority control. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily functions as digital currency, Ethereum operates as a programmable global computer where developers can create any type of decentralized service.
The platform hosts over $14 billion in DeFi applications with hundreds of thousands of active users across financial protocols, NFT marketplaces, and gaming platforms. Its transition to Proof of Stake in September 2022 reduced energy consumption by over 99%, addressing environmental concerns while strengthening network security.
What drives the Ethereum price
The structural forces behind ETH's price moves — without forecasting where it goes next.
Staking economics
Ethereum issuance now flows to validators rather than miners. The net yield depends on the amount of ETH staked, priority fees, MEV rewards, validator performance, and service-provider fees. Higher staking participation can lower protocol rewards, while liquid staking and ETF staking products make yield access easier for passive holders.
Fee burn and network demand
EIP-1559 burns the base fee from Ethereum transactions. When on-chain activity and L2 settlement demand are high, more ETH is burned; when activity is quiet, issuance can exceed burns. That burn/issuance balance is Ethereum's closest equivalent to a supply-side price narrative.
ETF and institutional flows
Spot ETH exchange-traded products opened a brokerage-account path to ether exposure, and newer staked ETH products add a yield angle for some investors. Fund inflows, redemptions, fee competition, and whether a product stakes its ETH holdings can all affect market demand without changing the protocol itself.
Ethereum milestones
- Jul 2015Ethereum mainnet launches
- Aug 2021EIP-1559 introduces the base-fee burn
- Sep 2022The Merge moves Ethereum from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake
- Apr 2023Shanghai/Capella enables validator withdrawals
- Mar 2024Dencun introduces blob transactions for lower-cost L2 data
- Jul 2024US spot Ethereum ETFs begin trading
This is context, not a forecast. Ethereum prices can move sharply in either direction; nothing on this page is financial advice.
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Informational only. Cryptocurrency is volatile and not suitable for everyone — nothing on this page is financial advice.