What is Ethereum
Ethereum (ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation and the biggest smart contract platform. The network launched in 2015 based on an idea by Vitalik Buterin. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum was conceived not only as money but as a “world computer”: programs run on it automatically, without intermediaries.
Decentralised exchanges, lending protocols, stablecoins, NFTs and thousands of ERC20 tokens are built on Ethereum. ETH is the network’s native coin and pays for gas — the fee for every operation. Since 2022 Ethereum has run on proof-of-stake: blocks are created by validators who have staked ETH, not by miners.
Key facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | ETH |
| Network at ROVEN exchange | Ethereum (mainnet, ERC20) |
| Address format | “0x” plus 40 characters |
| Block time | About 12 seconds |
| Network fee | Gas in ETH, depends on network load and operation complexity |
| Memo / tag | Not needed |
What Ethereum is used for
- Paying for gas. Every operation on Ethereum — token transfers, DEX swaps, NFTs — is paid for in ETH.
- DeFi. ETH is used as collateral in lending protocols and added to liquidity pools.
- Staking. ETH holders can help secure the network and earn rewards.
- Investment. ETH is one of the core assets of a crypto portfolio alongside Bitcoin.
How to exchange Ethereum at ROVEN exchange
- Choose a direction, for example ETH → USDT TRC20 or USDT TRC20 → ETH, and enter the amount.
- Enter the receiving address. If you’re receiving ETH, it must start with “0x” and belong to a wallet that supports Ethereum mainnet.
- Create the order: the rate is locked for 30 minutes. Send the exact amount to the address in the order.
- An Ethereum transfer confirms in a few minutes, after which the operator sends the payout and shows its hash.
What to watch out for
- Send ETH from Ethereum mainnet, not from Arbitrum, Optimism, Base or other layer-2 networks — they share the address format but are separate networks.
- Keep a little ETH in your wallet on top of the amount you send: gas is charged separately.
- Gas gets more expensive at peak times — non-urgent transfers are cheaper when the network is quiet.
- If a transaction fails, your ETH stays with you, but the gas for the attempt is charged.
How to store Ethereum
MetaMask, Rabby or Trust Wallet work well for everyday use; for large amounts, use a hardware wallet. The same address works on every EVM network, so pay close attention to which network is selected in your wallet when sending. Regularly review and revoke unnecessary approvals you’ve granted to DeFi sites.
Fee burning and ETH supply
Since 2021, part of every Ethereum fee — the so-called base fee — isn’t paid to validators but burned. The more the network is used, the more ETH is removed from circulation. During busy periods more coins are burned than are issued as rewards, and the total ETH supply can shrink. That’s why demand for the network directly affects the coin’s own economics.
Frequently asked questions
Can I receive ETH on an exchange address?
Yes. Enter your exchange’s ETH deposit address on the Ethereum (ERC20) network specifically. Ethereum doesn’t need a memo.
How is ETH different from ERC20 tokens?
ETH is the network’s native coin, while ERC20 tokens, such as USDT or USDC, are issued by smart contracts on that network. Transferring them also requires ETH for gas.