While Bitcoin is focused on being a digital currency, Ethereum is a programmable blockchain that allows for decentralized applications and smart contracts, which enable more complex functionality and use cases beyond payments.

Ethereum recently transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS), an upgrade designed to improve scalability, security, and environmental sustainability by reducing the energy-intensive mining process.

Smart contracts are self-executing programs that run on Ethereum's blockchain. They enable secure, transparent, and automated agreements without intermediaries, which has led to the growth of decentralized finance and other innovative applications.

You can buy ETH on most cryptocurrency exchanges and store it in various wallets, including MetaMask, MyEtherWallet, and Trust Wallet, which provide secure storage and easy access to Ethereum-based assets.

Ethereum hosts a wide range of applications, including decentralized exchanges, DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave, and NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. It supports a thriving ecosystem of dApps and services.