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    Ethereum (ETH)

    Also known as ETH, Ether

    Ethereum is a blockchain that runs smart contracts. It went live in 2015 and has used proof of stake since the Merge in September 2022.[1][2][3] Its token, ether, trades on exchanges and through US spot ETFs. Fortune quoted it at $2,493 on October 9, 2026.[4][5]

    Editor reviewedStrict sourcingUpdated CryptoMarkets and trading
    Key facts

    Ethereum is a blockchain that lets users write smart contracts: general-purpose code that runs on every computer in the network and moves information and value according to set conditions.[1] Its native token is ether (ETH). Prices on this page are dated quotes, not live data. This page is not financial advice.

    How it works

    The Ethereum network went live on July 30, 2015. Bitcoin is created only through mining, but 72.0 million ether were created when Ethereum launched.[2] On September 15, 2022, Ethereum completed “the Merge,” switching from proof of work to proof of stake. New ether issuance can be partly or fully offset by a mechanism that burns transaction fees.[3]

    Staking

    Under proof of stake, validators lock up ether to secure the network and earn rewards. Each validator must deposit 32 ether. Services such as Lido run many validators for depositors, which raises concerns about centralisation.[6] Staking carries risks: staked ether can be lost, and it is inaccessible for a variable period.[7] In May 2025, SEC staff said participants in certain protocol staking activities do not need to register those transactions under the Securities Act.[8] US ether ETFs began staking in October 2025.[9]

    Ether ETFs

    US spot ether ETFs began trading on July 23, 2024, after the SEC approved the exchange rule changes in May.[4][10] As of late September 2026, they held about $17.7 billion to $17.8 billion, roughly 5.4% of ether’s market value.[11] See spot-crypto-etfs, the explainer What are Ethereum ETFs?, the ether ETF flows tracker and the fee comparison.

    Price in 2026

    On June 3, 2026, ether fell to $1,839, while bitcoin traded around $66,500.[12] Ether gained about 57% in the third quarter, according to 24/7 Wall St.[13] Fortune quoted ether at $2,493.09 on the morning of October 9, 2026, roughly $1,877 below a year earlier.[5] BlackRock’s ETHA, which tracks ether, had a net asset value total return of -17.33% for 2026 as of October 8.[14] Over the same period, BlackRock’s bitcoin fund returned -6.71%, so ether has lagged bitcoin this year.[15]

    Questions readers ask

    What is the difference between Ethereum and ether?

    Ethereum is the network, which runs smart contracts. Ether is the token used on it, which trades on exchanges and is held by spot ETFs.[1][4]

    What was the Merge?

    The Merge, completed on September 15, 2022, moved Ethereum from proof of work to proof of stake.[3]

    How does Ethereum staking work?

    Validators deposit 32 ether to help propose and attest to blocks and earn rewards. Staked ether can be locked for a variable period, and staking carries a risk of loss.[6][7]

    How is new ether created?

    72.0 million ether were created at launch, unlike bitcoin, which is created only through mining. New issuance can be partly or fully offset by a mechanism that burns transaction fees.[2][3]

    What was ether's price in October 2026?

    Fortune quoted ether at $2,493.09 on the morning of October 9, 2026, roughly $1,877 below its price a year earlier.[5]

    Sources

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Status shows how well established it is.

    1. [1]

      Ethereum lets users write smart contracts, general-purpose code that runs on every computer in the network and can move information and value based on logical conditions. confirmedas of 2026-02-25

    2. [2]

      The Ethereum network went live on July 30, 2015, with 72.0 million ether created at launch, unlike bitcoin, which is created only through mining. confirmedas of 2026-02-25

    3. [3]

      Ethereum completed "the Merge" on September 15, 2022, moving from proof of work to proof of stake; issuance of new ether can be partly or fully offset by a fee-burning mechanism introduced by EIP-1559. confirmedas of 2026-02-25

    4. [4]

      US spot ether ETFs began trading on July 23, 2024, including Grayscale's converted Ethereum Trust (ETHE) and its Ethereum Mini Trust (ETH) on NYSE Arca. confirmedas of 2024-07-23

    5. [5]

      Fortune quoted ether at $2,493.09 at 6:45 a.m. ET on October 9, 2026, roughly $1,877 below its price a year earlier and down from about $2,735 on October 2. confirmedas of 2026-10-09

    6. [6]

      An Ethereum validator must deposit 32 ether to activate a validator key, and staking services such as Lido can run many validators on behalf of depositors, which raises centralisation concerns. confirmedas of 2026-06-29

    7. [7]

      Grayscale's filings warn that staking can cause loss of ether and that staked ether is inaccessible for a variable period. confirmedas of 2026-02-25

    8. [8]

      In a May 29, 2025 staff statement, the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance said participants in certain protocol staking activities do not need to register those transactions under the Securities Act. confirmedas of 2025-05-29

    9. [9]

      Grayscale's Ethereum Trust ETF and Ethereum Mini Trust ETF began staking ether on October 6, 2025, the first US spot crypto ETFs from a major issuer to do so. confirmedas of 2025-10-06

    10. [10]

      On May 23, 2024, the SEC approved exchange rule changes allowing NYSE Arca, Nasdaq and Cboe BZX to list shares of ether-based exchange-traded products, including the Grayscale Ethereum Trust, Bitwise Ethereum ETF and iShares Ethereum Trust. confirmedas of 2024-05-23

    11. [11]

      As of late September 2026, US spot ether ETFs held about $17.7 billion to $17.8 billion in net assets, roughly 5.4% of ether's market value, against cumulative net inflows of about $13.8 billion to $13.9 billion since launch, according to SoSoValue data. confirmedas of 2026-10-01

    12. [12]

      Ether fell below $1,900 to $1,839 on June 3, 2026, during the same selloff, while bitcoin traded around $66,500. reportedas of 2026-06-03

    13. [13]

      24/7 Wall St. noted that the late-September outflows coincided with quarter-end rebalancing after ether gained about 57% in the third quarter; the funds shed another $55.4 million on October 1. reportedas of 2026-10-04· interpretation

    14. [14]

      ETHA's net asset value total return for 2026 was -17.33% as of October 8, 2026. confirmedas of 2026-10-08

    15. [15]

      BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) charges a 0.25% sponsor fee and had net assets of about $66.3 billion as of October 9, 2026; its NAV total return for 2026 was -6.71% as of October 8. confirmedas of 2026-10-09

    Revision history (1)
    1. Page created.

    Created Oct 10, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 10, 2026. Next scheduled review: Jan 10, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "Ethereum (ETH)." ContentLora, updated Oct 10, 2026. https://contentlora.com/wiki/ethereum

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