What is Ethereum and what is it for?

Ethereum is second only to Bitcoin in size and importance. But what exactly is it and what is it for? Dominic Frisby explains all.

I’ve lost count of the number of times people have asked me to explain what Bitcoin is over the years, but I don’t think anyone has ever asked me to explain Ethereum. Probably because, by the time I’ve finished with Bitcoin, their eyes have glazed over and they want to save themselves another earful.

But now we ask – what is Ethereum? If you thought explaining Bitcoin was hard...

A brief history of Ethereum

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Dominic Frisby

Dominic Frisby (“mercurially witty” – the Spectator) is as far as we know the world’s only financial writer and comedian. He is the author of the popular newsletter the Flying Frisby and is MoneyWeek’s main commentator on gold, commodities, currencies and cryptocurrencies. He has also taken several of his shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

His books are Daylight Robbery - How Tax Changed our Past and Will Shape our Future; Bitcoin: the Future of Money? and Life After the State - Why We Don't Need Government

Dominic was educated at St Paul's School, Manchester University and the Webber-Douglas Academy Of Dramatic Art. You can follow him on X @dominicfrisby