When working with Ethereum, a decentralized, open‑source blockchain that runs smart contracts and powers thousands of tokens and applications. Also known as ETH, it serves as the backbone for most modern crypto projects, from finance to gaming. If you’re ready to dive deeper into Ethereum, you’ll first need to grasp the key building blocks that make the network tick.
The first pillar is smart contracts, self‑executing code that runs exactly as programmed without intermediaries. These contracts enable everything from token issuance to automated lending. Next up is DeFi, a suite of decentralized financial services such as lending, borrowing, and trading that operate on-chain. DeFi relies on smart contracts to replace banks and brokers, giving users full control over their assets. Then there are ERC‑20 tokens, standardized digital assets that share a common set of functions, making them interchangeable across wallets and exchanges. ERC‑20 defines the language that tokens like USDC, LINK, and many new project coins use to talk to each other. Finally, Layer‑2 solutions, off‑chain scaling technologies that bundle transactions to improve speed and lower fees on the main chain address Ethereum’s biggest pain point—high gas costs—by moving work off the base layer while still anchoring security to it.
Putting these pieces together forms a clear chain of dependencies: Ethereum encompasses smart contracts; smart contracts enable DeFi; DeFi often uses ERC‑20 tokens; and Layer‑2 solutions make all of this affordable and fast. This web of relationships shows why learning one part naturally leads to the next. Whether you’re hunting for a step‑by‑step guide on buying Ethereum in Nigeria, evaluating the Enzyme (MLN) asset‑management protocol, or comparing public‑blockchain advantages, the articles below cover those angles in depth. Browse the collection to see practical examples, risk assessments, and up‑to‑date analyses that tie directly back to the core concepts introduced here.
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