Ethereum (ETH) Guide: Smart Contracts, DeFi, & Future

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Ethereum (ETH): More Than Just Digital Money – Your Comprehensive Guide

John: Welcome, everyone. Today, we’re diving deep into one of the most significant players in the cryptocurrency space: Ethereum, often referred to by its ticker symbol, ETH. It’s frequently mentioned alongside Bitcoin, but it serves a fundamentally different purpose. Think of it less like digital gold and more like a global, decentralized computer.

Lila: Hi John! So, when people talk about crypto, Bitcoin usually comes first. What makes Ethereum so special that it deserves its own spotlight? Is it just another coin?

John: That’s a great starting point, Lila. While Bitcoin pioneered decentralized digital currency, Ethereum, launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of co-founders, introduced the concept of programmable money and decentralized applications, or dApps (software that runs on a peer-to-peer network instead of a single computer). It’s built on blockchain technology, like Bitcoin, but its blockchain is much more flexible.

Eye-catching visual of Ethereum ETH and cryptocurrency vibes

What Exactly is Ethereum?

Lila: Okay, “programmable money” and “decentralized applications” sound pretty techy. Can you break that down for someone totally new to this?

John: Absolutely. Imagine the internet today. Most applications we use – social media, email, online banking – run on servers owned by specific companies. These companies control the data and the rules. Ethereum aims to change that. It’s a platform where developers can build applications that aren’t controlled by any single entity. The “programmable” part comes from something called smart contracts.

Lila: Smart contracts… like digital agreements?

John: Precisely. A smart contract is essentially self-executing code stored on the blockchain that automatically enforces the terms of an agreement. If certain conditions are met, the contract carries out the agreed-upon action – like releasing funds, registering an asset, or sending a notification – all without needing a traditional intermediary like a bank or lawyer. Ethereum was the first blockchain to popularize this concept widely.

Lila: So, ETH, the cryptocurrency, is used to power these contracts and applications on the Ethereum network? Like fuel?

John: Exactly. Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network. It serves two main purposes:

It’s used as digital money – you can send it to others, use it for payments where accepted.
Crucially, it’s used to pay for computation and transaction fees on the network. This fee is called “gas”. Think of it as paying for the operational costs of running that global, decentralized computer.

Lila: Gas fees… I’ve heard people complain about those being high sometimes. We should probably touch on that later!

John: Definitely. It’s a key aspect of using the network. But first, let’s clarify the distinction: Ethereum is the network, the platform. Ether (ETH) is the currency used on that network. People often use the terms interchangeably, but the difference is important.

Supply Details: How Much ETH Exists?

Lila: With Bitcoin, everyone knows there’s a fixed cap of 21 million coins. What about Ethereum? Is there a limit to how much ETH can be created?

John: That’s a significant difference. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum doesn’t have a hard-coded maximum supply cap. Initially, new ETH was created through a process called mining, similar to Bitcoin, under a system known as Proof-of-Work (PoW – where computers solve complex puzzles to validate transactions and create new blocks).

Lila: “Was”? So it changed?

John: Yes, this is crucial. In September 2022, Ethereum underwent a major upgrade called “The Merge.” It transitioned from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a different consensus mechanism called Proof-of-Stake (PoS – where network participants lock up their ETH, called staking, to validate transactions and secure the network). This dramatically changed how new ETH is issued.

Lila: How did Proof-of-Stake change the supply? Is more ETH being created now, or less?

John: Significantly less. PoS is far more energy-efficient and requires much lower issuance of new ETH to incentivize validators (those who stake their ETH). Furthermore, another important upgrade, EIP-1559 (Ethereum Improvement Proposal 1559), introduced in August 2021, changed how transaction fees work. A portion of every transaction fee (the base fee) is now “burned” – permanently removed from circulation.

Lila: Burned? Like, destroyed? So, if enough transactions happen, the total supply of ETH could actually decrease?

John: That’s correct. When the amount of ETH burned through transaction fees exceeds the amount of new ETH issued to validators, the overall supply becomes deflationary. This has happened during periods of high network activity since The Merge and EIP-1559. It’s a dynamic system, unlike Bitcoin’s fixed schedule.

Lila: Wow, okay. So no hard cap, but the supply growth slowed dramatically, and it can even shrink. That’s pretty different and seems like it could impact its value proposition.

John: Indeed. It shifts the narrative for ETH from just a “fuel” token to potentially a deflationary asset, depending on network usage. This is a key point for anyone looking into Ethereum’s economics.

Technical Mechanism: How Does Ethereum Work Under the Hood?

Lila: We’ve mentioned blockchain, smart contracts, Proof-of-Stake, and gas. Can we connect these dots? How does the Ethereum network actually function?

John: Let’s break it down. At its core is the Ethereum blockchain – a distributed public ledger (a shared, immutable record book) that logs every transaction and smart contract interaction across many computers worldwide. This decentralization makes it very secure and resistant to censorship.

Lila: So, when I send ETH or use a dApp, it gets recorded on this shared ledger?

John: Exactly. And to ensure everyone agrees on the state of the ledger and to add new transactions, Ethereum uses its consensus mechanism, which is now Proof-of-Stake (PoS).

Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Explained

Lila: How does PoS work differently from the old Proof-of-Work mining?

John: Instead of miners using powerful computers to solve puzzles, PoS relies on validators. These are individuals or entities who lock up (stake) at least 32 ETH as collateral. The network randomly selects validators to propose new blocks of transactions and attest to (confirm) the validity of blocks proposed by others. If they act honestly, they earn rewards in the form of newly issued ETH and transaction fee tips. If they act maliciously (e.g., try to approve fraudulent transactions), their staked ETH can be “slashed” or taken away.

Lila: So the incentive is aligned with keeping the network secure – you have skin in the game with your staked ETH?

John: Precisely. It secures the network through economic incentives rather than raw computational power. This transition dramatically reduced Ethereum’s energy consumption, by around 99.95%, which was a major environmental criticism of the old PoW system.

Smart Contracts and the EVM

Lila: And where do the smart contracts fit into this validation process?

John: Smart contracts are code deployed onto the Ethereum blockchain. When someone interacts with a smart contract (e.g., swapping tokens on a decentralized exchange), this interaction creates a transaction. Validators process these transactions, executing the smart contract code according to its predefined rules. The results of this execution are then recorded permanently on the blockchain.

Lila: What actually runs this code? Is there a special environment?

John: Yes, that’s the Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM. Think of the EVM as the operating system or runtime environment for smart contracts on Ethereum. It’s a globally accessible, sandboxed (isolated from the rest of the network) virtual machine embedded within each Ethereum node (a computer participating in the network). When a transaction triggers a smart contract, every node runs the contract code within its EVM to verify the outcome. This distributed computation ensures consensus.

Lila: So the EVM is like the brain that executes all these “programmable money” instructions?

John: A good analogy. It interprets the contract code and updates the state of the Ethereum network (like account balances or contract data). The EVM’s design has become a de facto standard; many other blockchains are “EVM-compatible,” meaning they can run Ethereum smart contracts, which makes it easier for developers to deploy applications across multiple chains.

Ethereum ETH technology and blockchain network illustration

Gas Fees: Paying for Computation

Lila: Okay, back to gas fees! You said ETH is used to pay for computation. How does that work, and why can it get expensive?

John: Every operation on Ethereum – sending ETH, interacting with a smart contract, deploying a new contract – requires computational resources from the network validators. Gas is the unit used to measure the amount of computational effort required for a specific operation. More complex operations require more gas.

Lila: So it’s like measuring electricity usage for a task?

John: Exactly. And the gas fee you pay is calculated as: Gas Units (Limit) × (Base Fee + Priority Fee).

Gas Units (Limit): The maximum amount of computation you’re willing to pay for your transaction. Simple ETH transfers require a fixed amount (21,000 units), while complex contract interactions need much more.
Base Fee: This is determined by the network based on current demand. If the previous block was more than 50% full, the base fee increases; if less, it decreases. This is the part that gets burned (removed from circulation).
Priority Fee (Tip): This is an optional additional fee you can include to incentivize validators to prioritize your transaction, especially during busy times.

Lila: Ah, so when lots of people are trying to use Ethereum at the same time – maybe during a popular NFT mint or a big market move – the network gets congested, the Base Fee goes up, and people add higher Priority Fees to get their transactions included faster. That’s why fees can spike?

John: Precisely. This has been one of Ethereum’s biggest challenges – scalability. While upgrades like The Merge focused on efficiency and security, other ongoing developments aim to address these high fees and transaction speeds, primarily through Layer 2 scaling solutions.

Lila: Layer 2s… like separate, faster lanes connected to the main Ethereum highway? We should probably cover those in the use cases or future outlook.

John: We will. They are critical to Ethereum’s long-term viability and user experience.

Team & Community: Who is Behind Ethereum?

Lila: We know Vitalik Buterin is a key figure, but who else built Ethereum, and who runs it now? Is there a CEO?

John: That’s a common question, especially coming from the traditional tech world. Unlike a typical company, Ethereum doesn’t have a CEO or a formal hierarchical structure. It was founded by a group of individuals, including Vitalik Buterin, Gavin Wood (who later founded Polkadot), Charles Hoskinson (who later founded Cardano), Anthony Di Iorio, and Joseph Lubin (who founded ConsenSys, a major Ethereum software company).

Lila: So, a group effort from the start. But who makes decisions now about upgrades like The Merge?

John: It’s driven by a large, decentralized community of developers, researchers, node operators, validators, dApp builders, and users. The Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit organization, plays a significant role in funding research and development and coordinating efforts, but it doesn’t control the network. Decisions on major upgrades are typically reached through a rough consensus process involving extensive research, discussion via Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), testing, and adoption by the various client teams (developers who maintain the different software versions of Ethereum nodes, like Geth, Nethermind, Erigon, etc.).

Lila: So it’s more like an open-source software project, but with huge economic implications? That sounds potentially messy but also very resilient, as it doesn’t depend on one single leader or company.

John: Exactly. It can be slower to make decisions than a centralized entity, but the decentralized nature is a core part of its strength and philosophy. The community is incredibly active and global, constantly working on improving the protocol and building on top of it.

Use-Cases & Future Outlook: What Can You Do With Ethereum?

Lila: This is the exciting part! We talked about dApps and smart contracts. What are the biggest things people are actually *using* Ethereum for today?

John: The use cases are vast and constantly evolving, but here are some of the most prominent areas:

Decentralized Finance (DeFi): This is arguably Ethereum’s killer app so far. DeFi aims to recreate traditional financial services (like lending, borrowing, trading, insurance) using smart contracts, making them open, permissionless (anyone can use them), and transparent. Examples include decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Uniswap, lending protocols like Aave and Compound, and stablecoins (crypto pegged to fiat currency) like DAI.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): NFTs represent ownership of unique digital or physical items on the blockchain. Ethereum kickstarted the NFT craze with standards like ERC-721. They’re used for digital art, collectibles, virtual land in metaverses, event tickets, domain names (like ENS – Ethereum Name Service), and more.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs): These are organizations run by code and community governance. Rules are encoded in smart contracts, and decisions are often made through voting by members who hold governance tokens. DAOs manage DeFi protocols, investment funds, community projects, and more.
Web3 and Decentralized Identity: Ethereum provides infrastructure for building a more decentralized internet (Web3). This includes logging into applications using your Ethereum wallet instead of creating separate accounts, and managing your own digital identity and data.
Gaming (Play-to-Earn / Blockchain Gaming): Integrating NFTs and tokens into games allows players to truly own their in-game assets and potentially earn rewards.
Supply Chain Management & Enterprise Solutions: While less visible to consumers, businesses are exploring Ethereum for tracking goods, verifying authenticity, and streamlining processes.

Lila: Wow, DeFi and NFTs are huge! It feels like Ethereum created entirely new digital economies. But what about the future? We mentioned scalability issues and Layer 2s.

John: Correct. The future outlook hinges heavily on continued development and scaling. The Ethereum roadmap, often described as having phases like The Merge, The Surge, The Scourge, The Verge, The Purge, and The Splurge (these names conceptualize areas of focus), highlights key priorities. The “Surge” focuses specifically on increasing scalability through Layer 2 solutions and techniques like sharding (splitting the network database into smaller, more manageable pieces called shards).

Lila: Layer 2s! Can you give examples and explain how they help with gas fees and speed?

John: Layer 2 scaling solutions are built *on top* of Ethereum (the Layer 1 mainnet). They process transactions off the main chain, bundle them up, and then submit a compressed summary back to Layer 1 for final settlement. This significantly increases transaction throughput (how many transactions can be processed per second) and drastically reduces fees for users interacting on the Layer 2. Major types include:

Rollups (Optimistic and ZK): These are the dominant L2 solutions. Optimistic Rollups (like Optimism, Arbitrum) assume transactions are valid by default and use a challenge period for fraud proofs. Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Rollups (like zkSync, Starknet, Polygon zkEVM) use complex cryptography (ZK-proofs) to mathematically prove the validity of off-chain transactions without revealing the underlying data. ZK-Rollups are generally considered more secure and efficient long-term but are technologically more complex.
State Channels: Good for specific applications needing many state updates between known participants (like micropayments in games).
Plasma: An older scaling framework, less common now compared to rollups.

Using these L2s makes Ethereum much more usable for everyday transactions.

Lila: So, the future involves moving a lot of activity to these faster, cheaper Layer 2s, while the main Ethereum network focuses on security and final settlement? That makes sense. What else is on the roadmap?

John: Other key areas include:

Sharding (Danksharding): While full execution sharding is a longer-term goal, current plans focus on “Proto-Danksharding” (EIP-4844), which introduces “blobs” – a way for Layer 2s to post data to Layer 1 much more cheaply, further reducing L2 fees.
Statelessness & State Expiry: Making it so validators don’t need to store the entire history of Ethereum’s state, reducing hardware requirements and improving decentralization.
Account Abstraction (ERC-4337): Making user wallets more flexible and user-friendly, potentially allowing features like social recovery, paying gas fees in tokens other than ETH, and batched transactions, blurring the lines between traditional accounts and smart contracts.

The overall goal is to create a scalable, secure, and sustainable platform for the decentralized future.

Future potential of Ethereum ETH represented visually

Competitor Comparison: How Does Ethereum Stack Up?

Lila: Ethereum sounds powerful, but it’s not the only smart contract platform out there. We hear names like Solana, Cardano, Polkadot, Avalanche… How do they compare? Are they “Ethereum Killers”?

John: The “Ethereum Killer” narrative has been around for years. While several strong competitors have emerged, each with different strengths and trade-offs, Ethereum still maintains the largest ecosystem by far in terms of developers, applications, and value locked in DeFi. Here’s a quick comparison:

Solana (SOL): Known for its high speed (transactions per second) and low fees. Uses a different consensus mechanism called Proof-of-History combined with PoS. It faced criticism over network outages but has a strong NFT and growing DeFi community. Not EVM-compatible natively, though bridges exist.
Cardano (ADA): Focuses on a research-driven, peer-reviewed approach to development. Uses its own PoS variant (Ouroboros). Development cycles have been slower, but it emphasizes sustainability and formal methods for security. Also not natively EVM-compatible.
Polkadot (DOT): Aims to connect different blockchains (“parachains”) together in a secure and scalable way (“interoperability”). Uses a Nominated Proof-of-Stake (NPoS) system. Its architecture is quite different from Ethereum’s monolithic design.
Avalanche (AVAX): Known for its fast finality (how quickly transactions are confirmed) and subnet architecture, allowing projects to launch their own custom blockchains connected to the main network. It is EVM-compatible, making it easy for Ethereum projects to deploy there.
Other EVM-Compatibles: Chains like Polygon (which started as an L2 but now has its own PoS chain and is building zkEVMs), Binance Smart Chain (BNB Chain – known for low fees but often criticized for being more centralized), Fantom, etc. These leverage the EVM’s network effect but often make different trade-offs regarding decentralization or security to achieve higher speeds or lower fees.

Lila: So it sounds like a trade-off triangle: decentralization, security, and scalability. Ethereum prioritized decentralization and security initially, leading to scaling challenges, while some competitors maybe compromised a bit on those to get faster speeds early on?

John: That’s a common framework, often called the “Blockchain Trilemma.” Ethereum’s strategy seems to be securing the base layer (Layer 1) and pushing scalability to Layer 2 solutions, aiming to eventually achieve all three. Its main advantages remain its huge network effect, mature developer tooling, large user base, and the sheer amount of innovation happening within its ecosystem.

Lila: It seems less like “killers” and more like a multi-chain future where different platforms might coexist, perhaps specializing in different things?

John: That’s a very likely scenario. Interoperability solutions (like bridges and cross-chain communication protocols) are becoming increasingly important, allowing value and data to move between different blockchains. Ethereum, however, is likely to remain a core settlement layer and hub of activity for the foreseeable future due to its first-mover advantage and ongoing development.

Risks & Cautions: What Should Beginners Be Aware Of?

Lila: Okay, we’ve covered a lot of the positives and potential. But crypto is risky, right? What are the main dangers or downsides people should know about before getting involved with Ethereum?

John: Absolutely essential to cover the risks. Investing in or using Ethereum involves several significant considerations:

Volatility: Like all cryptocurrencies, the price of ETH can be extremely volatile. Its value can swing dramatically in short periods due to market sentiment, regulatory news, macroeconomic factors, and technological developments. You should never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Scalability & Gas Fees: While Layer 2s help, high gas fees on the main Ethereum network (Layer 1) can still be a barrier for certain applications or smaller transactions, especially during peak demand. Users need to understand how gas works and potentially utilize L2s.
Smart Contract Risk: Smart contracts are code, and code can have bugs or vulnerabilities. Exploits of flaws in DeFi protocols or other dApps built on Ethereum have led to significant losses of funds. Interacting with unaudited or complex contracts carries inherent risk.
Regulatory Uncertainty: The legal status of cryptocurrencies, including ETH (especially regarding whether it’s a commodity or a security in some jurisdictions), is still evolving globally. Future regulations could impact its use, adoption, and price.
Complexity: Using Ethereum directly, managing wallets, understanding gas, interacting with dApps, and navigating Layer 2s can have a steep learning curve for beginners compared to traditional financial systems. Mistakes can lead to irreversible loss of funds (e.g., sending to the wrong address).
Centralization Vectors: While the protocol aims for decentralization, concerns exist around areas like the concentration of staked ETH in large pools or exchanges, the reliance on infrastructure providers like Infura, and potential choke points in the Layer 2 ecosystem.
Scams and Phishing: The crypto space is unfortunately rife with scams, phishing attacks (trying to steal your private keys or seed phrase), and fraudulent projects. Users must be extremely vigilant.

Lila: That’s a sobering list. It really highlights the need for education and caution. Especially the smart contract risk – just because it’s on the blockchain doesn’t mean the application itself is perfectly safe.

John: Precisely. The underlying Ethereum blockchain is very secure, but the applications built *on top* of it vary widely in quality and safety. Due diligence is critical before investing in projects or depositing funds into DeFi protocols.

Expert Opinions / Analyses (General Sentiment)

Lila: Without giving investment advice, what’s the general vibe among crypto analysts and tech experts regarding Ethereum’s long-term prospects?

John: There’s a wide spectrum of opinions, as you’d expect. Generally, many experts remain bullish on Ethereum’s long-term potential, citing several key factors:

Network Effect: Its established dominance in DeFi, NFTs, and dApp development creates significant inertia. Developers and users are already there.
Technological Upgrades: The successful transition to Proof-of-Stake (The Merge) demonstrated the community’s ability to execute complex upgrades. Ongoing developments like Layer 2 scaling and EIP-4844 address key pain points.
Deflationary Potential: The EIP-1559 burn mechanism, combined with reduced issuance under PoS, creates attractive economic dynamics for ETH as an asset, especially if network usage continues to grow.
Institutional Interest: Growing interest from institutions in using Ethereum’s capabilities and potentially holding ETH as an asset.
Role as Web3 Foundation: Its position as the primary platform for building out the decentralized web (Web3) infrastructure.

Lila: So, a lot of optimism based on its current position and future roadmap. Are there common counterarguments or bearish points experts raise?

John: Yes, the main concerns often revolve around:

Execution Risk: Can the core developers successfully implement the complex future upgrades on the roadmap (like full sharding or statelessness) without major issues?
Competition: Will faster, cheaper Layer 1 competitors manage to steal significant market share, especially if Ethereum’s scaling solutions don’t meet user expectations quickly enough?
Regulatory Headwinds: Could unfavorable regulations stifle innovation or classify ETH in a way that hinders its adoption or use cases?
User Experience (UX): Can the ecosystem overcome the complexity barriers and make using Ethereum and its applications as seamless as traditional web applications? Layer 2s help, but fragmentation can also be confusing.
Macroeconomic Factors: Like all risk assets, ETH is sensitive to broader economic conditions and central bank policies.

Overall, the sentiment acknowledges Ethereum’s strengths but also recognizes the significant challenges and competition it faces. Its future success is not guaranteed, but it holds a very strong position currently.

Latest News & Roadmap Updates

Lila: Things move so fast in crypto! What are the most recent developments or things people should be watching out for on the Ethereum roadmap?

John: The space is indeed dynamic. Following The Merge (PoS transition), the next major focus area has been scaling via Layer 2s and reducing their data costs on Layer 1.

Dencun Upgrade (EIP-4844 / Proto-Danksharding): This was the most significant recent upgrade (activated in early 2024). It introduced “blobs,” significantly lowering the cost for Layer 2 rollups to post data back to the main Ethereum chain. This has already led to substantially lower transaction fees on many popular L2s like Arbitrum and Optimism.
Layer 2 Growth: We’re seeing continued innovation and competition among Layer 2 solutions, particularly between Optimistic and ZK-Rollups. More applications are deploying directly onto L2s or offering L2 versions.
Account Abstraction (ERC-4337): While not a core protocol change, this standard is gaining traction, enabling more user-friendly wallet experiences without requiring changes to the Ethereum protocol itself. Expect to see more wallets implementing its features.
Future Roadmap Focus: Beyond Dencun, key areas on the longer-term roadmap include implementing Verkle Trees (a data structure upgrade to help achieve statelessness, making nodes lighter), further refinements to PoS, and eventually exploring deeper forms of sharding or scaling solutions. Research into MEV (Maximal Extractable Value – strategies used to extract profit from transaction ordering) mitigation is also ongoing.

Lila: So, the immediate focus is making Layer 2s even better and cheaper, while longer-term goals tackle deeper architectural improvements. It seems like a continuous evolution.

John: Exactly. Ethereum is best viewed as a constantly evolving technology. Keeping up with developments via resources like the Ethereum Foundation blog, core developer calls, and reputable crypto news outlets is key for anyone deeply involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Lila: Let’s tackle some quick questions people often ask.

John: Good idea. Shoot.

Lila: 1. Is Ethereum the same as Bitcoin?

John: No. Bitcoin is primarily designed as decentralized digital money (a store of value and medium of exchange). Ethereum is a decentralized platform for running smart contracts and dApps, with its own currency (ETH) used to power the network and as money.

Lila: 2. Is investing in Ethereum safe?

John: No investment is ever completely “safe.” Ethereum is a high-risk, volatile asset. While the underlying technology is robust, the price can fluctuate wildly, and interacting with dApps carries smart contract risks. Only invest what you can afford to lose and do thorough research.

Lila: 3. How do I buy Ethereum (ETH)?

John: ETH can typically be purchased on major cryptocurrency exchanges (like Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.) using fiat currency (like USD, EUR) or other cryptocurrencies. Ensure you use a reputable exchange and understand their fees and security procedures.

Lila: 4. Do I need ETH to use Ethereum applications?

John: Yes, generally. You need ETH in your wallet to pay for gas fees when interacting with applications on the Ethereum mainnet (Layer 1). On Layer 2 networks, you usually still need ETH (or sometimes the L2’s native token) to pay the (much lower) transaction fees.

Lila: 5. What was “The Merge”?

John: The Merge was Ethereum’s transition from the energy-intensive Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to the much more energy-efficient Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system in September 2022. It changed how new blocks are created and secured.

Lila: 6. Why are Ethereum gas fees sometimes so high?

John: High fees occur when there’s high demand for network resources (many people trying to make transactions). The network has limited capacity, leading to congestion. The Base Fee increases with demand, and users pay higher Priority Fees (tips) to get included faster. Layer 2 solutions aim to alleviate this.

Ethereum (ETH): Your Ultimate Guide to the World’s Leading Blockchain