Understanding Ethereum (Part I/II): The new operating system for the digital financial world

Article by Jan Mooren

Almost exactly ten years ago, on July 30, 2015, Ethereum launched as an experimental platform for so-called smart contracts, i.e., self-executing digital contracts. What began as a visionary project by Vitalik Buterin and his team has developed into the second-largest cryptocurrency and the digital infrastructure for a new generation of financial services.

While Bitcoin has already found its place in professional portfolios, Ethereum is increasingly attracting the attention of institutional investors. Traditional financial institutions are investing billions in Ethereum-based applications, from automated trading protocols to programmable bonds. But what exactly makes Ethereum so interesting for the financial world? And why do experts speak of a "new operating system" for digital financial services?