Founded by 19-year-old Russian-Canadian Vitalik Buterin in July of 2015, Ethereum is an open-source platform that uses blockchain technology to create and power tamper-proof decentralized financial contracts and digital applications. It's currency, ether (ETH), is currently selling at around US$4,895.53 per coin, though this is subject to change regularly.
Although Ethereum is a digital investment currency and can be used as such, the primary purpose of this decentralized cryptocurrency network is the unique capacity to run smart contracts on its blockchain. Ethereum is currently the second-most popular cryptocurrency, only outdone, at the moment, by Bitcoin.
Ethereum features
Here are some of the features that Ethereum has to offer:
Why You Want It
Easily build and execute smart contracts + Decentralized design.
Provinces
ALL
Features
Produced By Mining
Decentralized
Limited Supply
Circulating Supply
120,696,447.97 ETH
Current Price
$4,895.53
All-time High Price
$6,843.16
All-time High Date
August 24, 2025
* As the price changes often, this price was included for illustrative purposes only and is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the site directly.
Ethereum product rating: 5.0 stars
Ethereum continues to be one of the most popular altcoins in the world and a favourite amongst day traders and long-term holders alike. As mentioned above, the main purpose of Ethereum is to help people develop decentralized apps with custom smart contracts. However, most people still use Ethereum primarily as cryptocurrency.
Just like any other cryptocurrency, Ethereum is considered to be very volatile in price behaviour. At its height, the cryptocurrency hit a price of US $6,843.16 on November 10, 2021. Today the coin is trading at a price of US $4,895.53 per coin, according to CoinMarketCap.
Rating methodology
In order to come up with our product rating, we first break down a product into its key parts, which you can see in the table above. We then give a score out of 5 to each feature, depending on how it compares to similar products on the market. Average it all together, and you get our final score out of 5 possible stars.
Learn more about our rating methodology.
The pros of Ethereum
As one of the biggest cryptocurrencies in the world, Ethereum has many things going for it.
Pros
Smart contracts
A smart contract is a computer program stored on the blockchain that facilitates the exchange of any valuable asset between 2 parties when predetermined terms and conditions are met. The Ethereum platform allows users to build and execute smart contracts and distribute autonomous applications all without 3rd-party interference and/or censorship. These smart contracts are set to democratize and revolutionize the way traditional contracts currently work.
The team behind Ethereum
The founder’s enthusiastic support and participation in the environment of cryptocurrencies is definitely a pro for this cryptocurrency. Even more important is the team behind this coin which is more focused on the continuous building of Ethereum and not just on cashing in the chips.
Name recognition
Being the 2nd-largest cryptocurrency in the world, Ethereum is enjoying a higher level of name recognition than most of the other smaller market cap cryptocurrencies. With a 5-year track record, Ethereum has gained solid brand name recognition around the world. As an investor, this is something you want to keep in mind.
The cons of Ethereum
So, what are some of the negatives about Ethereum?
Cons
Transactions aren't as fast
Ethereum suffers from a slower network and is open to congestion. The network has been hovering at or near capacity for some time. However, several planned upgrades to the Ethereum network will hopefully resolve this issue.
Smart contracts hack
The Ethereum network has seen several smart contract hacks since its inception. Although very rare, it is important to recognize these hacks can and do happen.
Trouble with scalability
Ethereum continues to have trouble with scalability. For example, Visa can process 65,000 transactions per second, while Ethereum is only able to process 15 transactions per second. However, founder Vitalik Buterin, recently stated that Ethereum 2.0 will eventually be able to facilitate up to approximately 100,000 transactions per second.
Ethereum alternatives
Let us take a closer look at how Ethereum compares with other cryptocurrencies.
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account | Ethereum | Bitcoin | XRP | Litecoin |
| Genius Rating | ||||
| Why You Want It | Easily build and execute smart contracts + Decentralized design. | Make fast, 24/7 payments + Top performing asset class for 10 years. | Energy-efficient, fast, and low-cost + Seamless cross-border payments. | 4x faster transactions and circulating supply than Bitcoin + Low fees. |
| Produced By Mining | | | | |
| Decentralized | | | | |
| Limited Supply | | | | |
| Circulating Supply | 120,696,447.97 ETH | 19,947,671 BTC | 60,107,199,237 XRP | 76,515,470.73 LTC |
| Current Price | $4,895.53 | $144,340.67 | $3.48 | $141.42 |
Show More | ||||
| Open an account See more Ethereum products Compare | Learn More See more Bitcoin products Compare | Learn More See more XRP products Compare | Learn More See more Litecoin products Compare |
People also viewed...
FAQ
Is it possible to cancel or overwrite an Ethereum transaction?
Confirmed Ethereum transactions can never be reversed under any circumstances. If you send your cryptocurrency to the wrong address, your coins will be permanently lost and there's no way to recover them. Therefore, always check your address very carefully before sending any type of cryptocurrency. Click here to learn more about Ethereum.
Is Ethereum a good investment?
Ethereum is strongly holding on to its position as the 2nd-largest cryptocurrency and many traders are asking if Ethereum could be the next Bitcoin. Don’t forget that cryptocurrency is by nature a risky investment but, for those investors able to stomach the risk and volatility, the upside on Ethereum can be huge.
Is Ethereum better than Bitcoin?
It is a normal process to ask questions about the differences between Ethereum and Bitcoin. Ethereum is different from Bitcoin. Both coins have very different objectives in mind. Bitcoin is a store of value and a new digital way to send money across the world without the need for a 3rd party. Ethereum, on the other hand, mainly serves as a building platform for smart contracts and decentralized apps. Ethereum provides more uses than Bitcoin does, but with its lower coin supply and its first-mover advantage, Bitcoin will remain firmly in the driver seat for a long time to come.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone, and is not endorsed or sponsored by a bank, credit card issuer, rewards program or other entity. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website.
Hot Money Deals This Month
- Get even more cash back with exclusive offers only available on the GeniusCash app
- Explore bigger GeniusCash offers that you won't find anywhere else.
- Connect your credit cards and unlock bonus cash.
- Explore customized recommendations to level up your rewards.
- Refer your friends and family to earn bonus levels and extra cash back.
- Take control of your money with a full-featured chequing account + $100 GeniusCash
- Get up to $500 in cash when you open a new account, complete specified actions, and open 2 registered investment accounts.
- Unlimited free transactions – including debit and Interac e-Transfers®.
- Earn Scene+ points on every debit transaction.
- $100 GeniusCash on approval – ends Dec 31, 2025.*.
- Unlimited transactions + Free identity theft protection + $125 GeniusCash
- Unlimited transactions and Interac e-Transfers.
- Free identity theft protection and access to Coursera online learning.
- $125 GeniusCash on approval – ends Dec 31, 2025.*.
- A low cost online broker with a $2,000 bonus + $80 GeniusCash
- Get $150 when you open and fund your new accounts with at least $1,000.
- No minimum investment requirement.
- Plenty of trade-free ETFs to choose from.
- $80 GeniusCash on approval – ends Dec 31, 2025.*.
- Bonus: Get one of the lowest brokerage rates from an online broker from a Big 5 Bank →
