“Ethereum was built to perform in multiple ways rather than limiting itself to trading cryptocurrencies. Vitalik, the founder of Ethereum, focused on \”Internet of Money\” developed on a neutral, universally-accessible platform, not governed by any central authority.”
What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a public, open-source, and blockchain-based decentralized platform. Ethereum is an operating system that helps in building Smart Contracts and DApps that run without any downtime, fraud, or interference from a third-party. Ethereum blockchain is used for regulating its own digital currency, Ether.
\”Besides being a platform, Ethereum acts as a programming language that runs on a blockchain platform that helps app & game developers to create and launch decentralized applications.\”
The Ethereum community is one of the most active blockchain communities in the world. It includes core protocol developers, crypto-economic researchers, cypherpunks, artists, mining organizations, ETH holders, gamers, app developers, anarchists, and fortune companies. There is no entity or authority to control the Ethereum network. Ethereum is regulated by a global community of contributors who work on everything, ranging from core protocol to consumer applications.
How to use Ethereum?
\”Any individual with a computer or a mobile device can operate on Ethereum using Ether (unique codes that update the blockchain ledger).
The Ethereum community is one of the most active blockchain communities in the world. It includes core protocol developers, crypto-economic researchers, cypherpunks, artists, mining organizations, ETH holders, gamers, app developers, anarchists, and fortune companies. There is no entity or authority to control the Ethereum network. Ethereum is regulated by a global community of contributors who work on everything, ranging from core protocol to consumer applications.
Ethereum Wallets
You have purchased Ether. Now what? You need to own a secure locker to store your assets securely. This drives us towards Ethereum Wallets.
Ethereum wallets are blockchain-based cryptocurrency wallets developed for the sole purpose of storing Ether. Like other wallets, they are secured by private keys. Each registered participant will have a unique private key. Remember, if you lose your key, then you lose access to your cryptos forever.
There are multiple types of wallets to choose:
Desktop Wallets
They run on your laptop or computer. You can download Ethereum Client (copy of ethereum blockchain). After installing the downloaded copy, activate Sync to stay updated with the latest transactions on the blockchain network.
Mobile Wallets
They can be downloaded and installed on your smartphone. It is called light clients or mobile clients, and it is one of the safest methods to store Ether. Staying connected to the Internet always, you can make transactions easily using this wallet.
Hardware Wallets
This kind of wallet is the most secure form of wallets. You can disconnect a hardware wallet from the Internet and can validate transactions without being online. But, it\’s challenging to use them while you are On-The-Go.
Paper Wallets
Paper Wallets fall under the Cold Storage category. You can print the private key on a paper and keep it safe. You can generate the keys directly on your PC or using the command
Benefits of Decentralized Ethereum Platform?
Since the Ethereum platform runs on blockchain technology, it holds all the benefits and properties of the technology. The Ethereum network is totally safe from unauthorized access. This means that all the DApps and DAOs running within the system are not governed or controlled by any entity.
\”All blockchain-powered networks are built with consensus principles. Consensus means that all the nodes inside the network need to abide by the changes made along, therefore, providing a tamper-proof system that eliminates the risk of fraud, money-laundering, and corruption.\”
The Core Benefits of the Ethereum Platform are:
Immutability
All transactions on the Ethereum network are tamper-proof. Once the data is recorded on a blockchain network, they cannot be altered or deleted. This immutable nature makes it impossible for hackers to hack the system.
Decentralization
There is no need for any intermediary to verify or validate the transactions in the blockchain network. The consensus mechanism validates all the transactions with the aid of self-executing & automated Smart Contracts, thus eliminating the participation of intermediaries to perform any action.
High Transaction Speed
The Ethereum network automates the transactions in it, thus ensuring Higher Transaction Speed. This method puts an end to lengthy & manual verification processes and settlements. Also, there is no need for third-party fees to be paid.
Enhanced Security
Generally, transactions on a blockchain network are secured using the principles of cryptography. And, the Ethereum network has 3x times more number of nodes than the protocols that Bitcoin uses to verify its transactions.
Reliability
Ethereum has successfully proven itself to be a dynamic and reliable platform. Ethereum\’s blockchain has been active for more than three years, and the apps built on this platform run without lags, downtime, fraud, or censorship.
How Ethereum Works?
\”Ethereum\’s primary aim is to import the design of bitcoins. Developers in the network can build applications or create agreements with additional steps, new ownership rules, alternate transaction formats, and other ways to transfer the funds.\”
Ethereum Blockchain
The architecture of an Ethereum blockchain represents that of a bitcoin blockchain. Both platforms are the same when it comes to recording the transactions. Each node on the network stores a copy of all the transaction records.
The significant difference with Ethereum is that \’the nodes store the original version of each Smart Contract, besides recording all the Ether transactions. Let\’s take a more in-depth look.
- For each Ethereum application, the network keeps track of the current information of the respective application, including the user\’s balance, the entire Smart Contract code, and the repository.
- Bitcoin blockchain uses the transaction history to track which user owns how much bitcoins. To decide upon the future transactions, the network categorizes each transaction as Spent or Unspent.
- Ethereum network, on the other hand, uses users\’ account info. Similar to funds in bank accounts, Ether tokens appear in a cryptocurrency wallet and can be transferred to another account.
Ethereum Virtual Machine
\”Each time a program is implemented, a network of computers process the programs.\”
Programs written in Smart Contracts-specific programming languages are converted into bytecode. These bytecodes are executed by a unique feature called Ethereum Virtual Machine or EVM.
EVM primarily serves as a runtime environment for Ethereum-based Smart Contracts. It provides users with enhanced security protocols to execute a program of untrusted code. Simultaneously, it ensures that the programs do not interfere with each other. Ethereum Virtual Machines are isolated entirely from the primary Ethereum network, and this feature makes it a perfect sandbox-tool for testing and improvising Smart Contracts.
Ethereum DApps
The Ethereum platform is powerful enough to impact the majority of industries that currently depend on a centralized database. The sectors include finance, healthcare, real estate, voting, and many more. Now, the platform is being used to create decentralized apps for a broad range of services and industries. Below is a list of some popular DApps:
- Gnosis
- EtherTweet
- Weifund
- Provenance
- Bitnation
- Ethlance
How to Purchase Ether
The easiest way to buy Ether is on crypto exchanges. Find an exchange that uses Ether in its trades and operates near your region. After that, you need to register with the exchange, claim your account, and then make use of a payment method to buy Ether tokens. The exchange provides a crypto wallet to store the purchased Ether.
You can also get Ether through P2P trading. P2P-based trading is more prevalent among Bitcoin users. Yet, due to the availability of the infinite supply of Ether tokens and the Ethereum platform failing to serve complete user anonymity, it is better to purchase Ether on reliable crypto exchanges.
Mining Ether Tokens
Another reliable way is mining Ether tokens. It involves Proof-of-Work. PoW means that miners contribute their computing power to solve a complex problem and confirm a block of actions within the network. The miners receive a reward for each block mined.