The world's 2nd cryptocurrency by market cap (~15-20 % of total crypto market cap) and the first smart contract platform. Moved to proof-of-stake in 2022, it remains the backbone of DeFi, NFTs and Layer 2 networks (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base).
Bitcoin is a digital store of value (digital gold) with a single goal: preserve scarcity via the programmed halving, supply capped at 21 million. Protocol intentionally simple.
Ethereum is a programmable platform. Its native ETH token pays "gas" (transaction fees) to execute smart contracts. Result: thousands of applications run on Ethereum — DeFi (Uniswap, Aave), NFTs (OpenSea), stablecoins (USDC, DAI), games, decentralized identity.
Since "The Merge" in September 2022, Ethereum uses proof-of-stake: no more energy-hungry mining, replaced by staking. ETH holders can lock their tokens (32 ETH minimum for a solo validator, or any amount via pools Lido, Rocket Pool, Coinbase) and earn 3-5 % annual yield.
Ethereum mainnet handles about 15 transactions per second with fees (gas) that explode during high activity (up to $50-100 for a DeFi swap in 2021). Solution: Layer 2s (L2).
L2s are secondary blockchains that bundle thousands of off-chain transactions and periodically anchor them on Ethereum mainnet. Result: fees cut 10-100×, sub-second latency, Ethereum-inherited security.
Top 3 L2s in 2026: 1. Arbitrum (~40% of L2 TVL) — optimistic rollup 2. Base (Coinbase, ~25%) — optimistic rollup, launched 2023 3. Optimism (~15%) — the optimistic rollup pioneer
The Dencun upgrade (March 2024) introduced "blobs" that cut L2 fees 10×. The Pectra upgrade (2025) further optimized costs. Arbitrum / Base fees now hover around $0.01-0.10 per transaction.
4 options, sorted by simplicity:
French tax: staking rewards are income at receipt (taxed at marginal scale). Gains on ETH bought + sold remain at the 30 % flat tax.
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