Detailed article about Ethereum (ETH) history, Marketcap, demand & supply
Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) on top of it. ETH was created by Vitalik Buterin in 2013, and the platform went live on July 30, 2015. Since then, it has become one of the most popular and valuable cryptocurrencies in the world.
History of Ethereum (ETH)
Vitalik Buterin came up with the idea for Ethereum in 2013. He was working on Bitcoin at the time and realized that it could be used for more than just digital currency. He wanted to create a platform that could facilitate smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code. This would enable the creation of decentralized applications that could run on the blockchain without the need for intermediaries.
Buterin published a white paper outlining his vision for Ethereum in November 2013. The paper received widespread attention, and Buterin launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the project. In July 2014, Ethereum raised over $18 million in a crowdsale, with each ETH token being sold for $0.31.
Ethereum went live on July 30, 2015, and the first block of the Ethereum blockchain was mined. Since then, the platform has undergone several upgrades to improve its functionality, including the Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul hard forks. The most recent upgrade, London, was implemented on August 5, 2021.
Marketcap of Ethereum (ETH)
As of May 5, 2023, the market capitalization of Ethereum is over $600 billion USD, making it the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, after Bitcoin. The current circulating supply of ETH is over 119 million, and the maximum supply is capped at 210 million. The price of ETH has experienced significant growth since its launch, with the price increasing from $0.31 in 2014 to over $5,000 in May 2023.
Demand and Supply of Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum has seen significant demand from both developers and investors. The platform has become a popular choice for building decentralized applications, and it has been used to create a wide range of dApps, including decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces, and gaming platforms.
Investors have also been attracted to ETH due to its potential as a store of value and its use as a means of payment for transactions on the Ethereum network. ETH can be purchased on a wide range of cryptocurrency exchanges and can be stored in a variety of wallets, including hardware wallets, software wallets, and online wallets.
The supply of ETH is regulated by the Ethereum protocol, which limits the number of ETH that can be created through mining rewards. The Ethereum network currently rewards miners with 2 ETH per block mined, and this reward will decrease over time as part of the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade.
More detail and quote some thoughts and tweets of influential people about it?
Certainly! Ethereum (ETH) has been the subject of much discussion and analysis by influential people in the cryptocurrency and technology communities. Here are some quotes and thoughts from notable figures:
- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX:
In a tweet on May 13, 2021, Musk expressed his concerns about the energy consumption of Bitcoin (BTC) mining and announced that Tesla would no longer accept BTC as payment. He also mentioned Ethereum as a potential alternative, saying, “But, ironically, it’s [Ethereum’s] literally a fraction of energy usage per transaction.”
- Mark Cuban, entrepreneur and investor:
In an interview with Forbes in February 2021, Cuban discussed the potential of Ethereum, saying, “It’s got more uses than Bitcoin does. And because it has more uses, there’s more potential for growth. It’s got smart contracts, it’s got NFTs, it’s got DeFi, it’s got all kinds of different things going on.”
- Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital:
In an interview with CNBC in April 2021, Novogratz talked about the potential of Ethereum in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, saying, “Ethereum is becoming the digital financial system, and so we’re seeing big adoption there… There’s going to be so much development on top of Ethereum that it makes it a very powerful ecosystem.”
- Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase:
In a tweet on January 7, 2021, Armstrong highlighted the growth of the Ethereum ecosystem, saying, “Ethereum went from being a tiny community of developers to now settling $12 billion in transactions per day. It’s become a critical piece of the crypto economy, and in some ways, maybe more important than Bitcoin.”
- Raoul Pal, CEO of Real Vision:
In a tweet on May 3, 2021, Pal talked about the potential of Ethereum in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, saying, “Ethereum is rapidly becoming the most important part of the crypto ecosystem. The ecosystem is exploding in terms of innovation and use cases. It is now the pre-eminent defi platform and the pre-eminent NFT platform.”
How much influential peoples invest in this?
The investments made by influential people in Ethereum (ETH) vary widely, and it’s difficult to determine exact amounts. However, it is known that many well-known individuals in the cryptocurrency and technology spaces have invested in Ethereum and are bullish on its potential.
For example, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has publicly stated that he owns both Bitcoin and Ethereum and has called Ethereum a “better investment” than Bitcoin due to its versatility and potential for growth. In addition, Mike Novogratz’s cryptocurrency investment firm, Galaxy Digital, has invested heavily in Ethereum, with the company holding a significant amount of ETH on its balance sheet.
Other notable investors in Ethereum include venture capitalist Tim Draper, who has predicted that Ethereum’s market capitalization will eventually surpass that of Bitcoin, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who has invested in several Ethereum-based projects.
It’s important to note, however, that investing in cryptocurrency is a highly speculative and risky endeavor, and it’s important for individuals to do their own research and understand the risks before making any investments.
Pros and Cons?
Sure! Here are some potential pros and cons of Ethereum:
Pros:
1. Decentralized Applications: Ethereum’s smart contract functionality enables the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) that can run without the need for a centralized authority. This allows for increased transparency, security, and censorship resistance.
2. Programmability: Ethereum’s programmability enables developers to create complex dApps that can automate processes and execute complex financial transactions. This has led to the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, which enable users to lend, borrow, and trade cryptocurrencies without the need for intermediaries.
3. NFTs: Ethereum’s support for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has led to the creation of a booming digital art and collectibles market, with some NFTs selling for millions of dollars.
4. Community: Ethereum has a large and vibrant community of developers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts who are constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the platform.
Cons:
1. Scalability: Ethereum’s current infrastructure has struggled to keep up with the demand for its services, leading to high transaction fees and slow processing times during times of high network congestion.
2. Environmental Impact: Ethereum, like other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies, requires significant energy consumption for mining, which has raised concerns about its environmental impact.
3. Centralization: Despite its decentralized nature, Ethereum’s infrastructure is still reliant on a relatively small number of miners and validators, which could potentially lead to centralization and vulnerability to attacks.
4. Regulatory Uncertainty: Like other cryptocurrencies, Ethereum operates in a regulatory gray area and is subject to changing laws and regulations that could impact its viability.
It’s important to note that these pros and cons are not exhaustive and that the potential benefits and drawbacks of Ethereum may vary depending on individual perspectives and use cases.
On which exchanges is it available to trade?
Ethereum (ETH) is one of the most widely traded cryptocurrencies and is available for trading on a large number of cryptocurrency exchanges around the world. Here are some of the most popular exchanges that offer ETH trading:
1. Binance: Binance is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world and offers a wide range of trading pairs for Ethereum.
2. Coinbase: Coinbase is one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the United States and offers ETH trading for users in over 100 countries.
3. Kraken: Kraken is a popular cryptocurrency exchange based in the United States and offers ETH trading pairs with several other cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.
4. Bitfinex: Bitfinex is a cryptocurrency exchange based in Hong Kong and offers a variety of trading pairs for Ethereum.
5. Huobi: Huobi is a cryptocurrency exchange based in Singapore and offers ETH trading pairs with several other cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.
6. Bithumb: Bithumb is a cryptocurrency exchange based in South Korea and is one of the largest exchanges in the country, offering ETH trading pairs with several other cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.
These are just a few examples of the many exchanges that offer ETH trading. As always, it’s important to do your own research and choose a reputable exchange that meets your needs and provides a secure trading environment.
What do different governments say about it?
The stance of different governments on Ethereum (ETH) and other cryptocurrencies varies widely around the world. Here are some examples of different government positions:
1. United States: In the United States, the regulatory approach to Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies has been mixed. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stated that some cryptocurrencies, including ETH, may be classified as securities and subject to securities laws. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also considers cryptocurrencies to be taxable property. However, some states have passed laws aimed at fostering innovation in the cryptocurrency industry.
2. China: China has taken a relatively hostile stance toward cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. The Chinese government has banned initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrency exchanges and has recently cracked down on cryptocurrency mining operations in the country.
3. Japan: Japan has been relatively welcoming of cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. In 2017, the Japanese government recognized Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as legal forms of payment and has since implemented regulations aimed at protecting consumers and preventing money laundering.
4. European Union: The European Union has taken a cautious approach to regulating cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. In 2020, the European Commission proposed new regulations aimed at reducing the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and improving consumer protections.
5. India: India has taken a largely hostile stance toward cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. In 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) banned financial institutions from dealing with cryptocurrency exchanges, effectively shutting down the industry in the country. However, the Indian government is currently considering a new bill that would effectively ban cryptocurrencies altogether.
It’s important to note that the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is constantly evolving and that different governments may take different approaches in the future. As always, it’s important for individuals to do their own research and understand the regulatory landscape in their jurisdiction before investing in cryptocurrencies.
