Research Study
Coin Report: Ethereum (ETH)
An overview of Ethereum and its potential use cases
December 6, 2024 • 38 min read
Executive Summary
Ethereum launched in 2013 with the support of Vitalik Buterin and seven other co-founders in an effort to build upon Bitcoin’s success as the first decentralized peer-to-peer electronic cash system. While its co-founders recognized the significance of Bitcoin’s breakthrough, they wanted to further expand its technology to make a programmable blockchain with enhanced functionality. Over ten years later, Ethereum is now both a leading smart contract platform and the second largest digital asset by market cap.
Fidelity Digital Assets’ “Coin Report” series provides readers with a foundational understanding of a unique asset and examines its strengths and weaknesses. This report specifically highlights Ethereum and explores its long-term potential in the digital asset market, covering topics including:
- Ethereum’s investment thesis as a technology platform that uses its native token ether as a means of payment
- How Ethereum accrued strong network effects from its first mover advantage as a smart contract platform
- An overview of Ethereum’s fundamental differences compared to Bitcoin and other assets
As the first network to offer developers a digital blank canvas where applications can be coded into existence and secured by a global network of computers, Ethereum helped to revolutionize decentralized applications and enabled their use across the finance industry including payments, trading, lending, and borrowing. However, there is always the possibility that a competitor may overtake Ethereum as the smart contract platform of choice.
Download the report now to uncover in-depth insights about Ethereum’s potential, market trends, and strategic opportunities.
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