Introduction to Ethereum: The Beginning of Smart Contracts and Blockchain 2.0
Ethereum (ETH), founded by Vitalik Buterin in 2015, is known as the representative of Blockchain 2.0.
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Compared to Bitcoin, Ethereum's biggest feature is its support for Smart Contracts, which transforms the blockchain from merely a "payment tool" into a "global computer" capable of running decentralized applications (DApps).
Market Position: ETH has long maintained the second position in global cryptocurrency market capitalization, only behind BTC.
Application Ecosystem: Most popular sectors such as DeFi, NFT, and GameFi are based on the Ethereum ecosystem.
Upgrade Progress: In 2022, Ethereum completed the "Merge," transitioning from proof of work to proof of stake, significantly reducing energy consumption, with a more mature ecosystem expected by 2025.
Latest Ethereum Market Trends and Performance
According to data from multiple market websites, Ethereum remains a core part of the market in 2025:
Price: Although ETH is volatile, its overall performance is stable, making it a preferred choice for institutional investors.
Trading Activity: ETH has deep trading pairs (ETH/USDT, ETH/BTC, ETH/USD) on almost all major exchanges worldwide.
Ecosystem Advantages: Whether it’s the issuance of stablecoin USDT or decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, most rely on the Ethereum network.
Thus, investing in Ethereum is not just about holding a token, but also participating in the entire blockchain ecosystem.
Top 10 Ethereum Trading Platforms in 2025
There are many trading platforms supporting Ethereum in the market. Below are the top ten mainstream platforms globally, along with a summary of their features:
- Binance
The largest cryptocurrency trading platform by global trading volume
Supports ETH spot, contracts, leverage, and wealth management
Low fees (0.1% for spot), supports VIP fee reductions
Provides strong liquidity and security risk control - OKX
A globally recognized platform with a wide user distribution
Offers ETH staking, contracts, Web3 wallet, and other multifunctional services
Excellent mobile experience, suitable for beginners and advanced investors - Coinbase
One of the largest compliant exchanges in the United States
Supports direct purchase of ETH with USD
Strict compliance regulations, suitable for institutional and compliant users
Higher fees (1%+), but excellent security - Huobi
A well-known and established exchange in Asia
Sufficient liquidity for ETH
Offers fiat deposits and leverage services
Above-average security - Kraken
A leading cryptocurrency platform in Europe
Focuses on security and compliance
Offers ETH staking services
Suitable for long-term holders - Bybit
Specializes in contract trading
Offers ETH perpetual contracts with flexible leverage
Low fees, but high leverage operations are not recommended for beginners - Gemini
A compliant exchange in the United States, founded by the Winklevoss twins
High security and transparency
Suitable for long-term investments and institutional clients - Gate.io
Known for fast transaction speeds
Many ETH-related derivatives and DeFi entry points
Moderate fees, suitable for high-frequency investors - MEXC Global
An emerging exchange supporting a variety of ETH trading pairs
Frequent activities, suitable for active users - Bitfinex
A long-established exchange with deep liquidity
Suitable for large traders
Rich in professional features, but not very friendly for beginners
Ethereum Purchase Process (A Must-Read for Beginners)
If you are purchasing ETH for the first time, you can follow these steps:
Choose an exchange → Recommended: Binance, OKX, Coinbase
Register and complete identity verification → Upload identification documents to enhance account security
Deposit funds → Supports bank transfers, credit card purchases, or USDT deposits
Search for ETH and place an order → Enter the purchase amount and confirm the order
Transfer to wallet → For long-term investment, it is recommended to move to a cold wallet (Ledger, Trezor)