Thinking about whether to buy Ethereum? Ethereum (ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency and the smart contract platform behind decentralised finance (DeFi), NFTs and thousands of applications. This guide covers what you need to know before buying ETH: verified project data, a dated all-time high, major technical milestones, pros and risks, and a step-by-step buying method for European investors.
Ethereum (ETH) Fact Sheet
| Ticker | ETH |
| Market cap rank | #2 (CoinGecko, as checked on November 11, 2026) |
| Launch year | 2015 — network launched on 30 July 2015 |
| Founder(s) | Vitalik Buterin, with Gavin Wood, Charles Hoskinson, Anthony Di Iorio and other co-founders |
| Consensus algorithm | Proof of Stake since “The Merge” (September 2022) |
| Circulating supply | ≈ 122,209,758 ETH (as of the date checked) |
| Maximum supply | No hard cap; issuance is adjusted by the protocol |
| Official website | ethereum.org |
About the Ethereum Project
Origins and Founders
Ethereum was conceived by Vitalik Buterin, a programmer and co-founder of Bitcoin Magazine, who in 2013 proposed a protocol that would go beyond simple digital money. The project took shape in 2014 around co-founders including Gavin Wood, Charles Hoskinson and Anthony Di Iorio, who funded the project. A public token sale sold around 60 million ether, and the blockchain went live on 30 July 2015.
These collective origins explain the project’s culture: an open protocol driven by public improvement proposals, with an ecosystem of independent companies and developers. Several founders later left to build other well-known networks, such as Charles Hoskinson, who launched Cardano.
Technology: Smart Contracts and “The Merge”
Ethereum pioneered smart contracts: computer programs that run exactly as coded, with no downtime, censorship or third-party interference, making it easy to exchange money, goods or any asset of value. Ether (ETH) is the platform’s native currency and is used to pay network transaction fees (gas).
On 15 September 2022, Ethereum completed its landmark switch from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake, an upgrade known as “The Merge”. The network’s energy consumption fell by around 99.95%. The switch also reduced the issuance of new ether, making ETH an asset whose supply is governed by protocol mechanisms rather than large-scale mining.
Ecosystem and Use Cases
Ethereum has the largest ecosystem in the industry: decentralised finance, non-fungible tokens, decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs), stablecoins and consumer apps are all deployed on it at scale. The project’s history has had its setbacks: the 2016 attack on The DAO investment fund, in which hackers drained nearly 3.6 million ETH, left a lasting mark on the community and shaped its governance rules.
Faced with this dominance, rival networks are trying to win over part of the application market: Solana bets on speed, others on formal research. Ethereum stands out for its deep liquidity and mature tooling — two advantages that are slowly being eroded by competition, as with any leading technology.
Ether Price and Price History
According to CoinGecko data checked on November 11, 2026, ether’s all-time high stands at €4,229.76, reached on 24 August 2025. On the date checked, the price was about 56.3% below its all-time high: a steep decline, typical of crypto assets in a correction phase, which calls for caution when sizing your purchases.
Ether’s price history follows the major cycles of the crypto market, with one notable feature: its all-time highs, in both 2021 and 2025, coincided with periods of euphoria around the applications built on the network. ETH’s valuation therefore depends on two things: general appetite for crypto assets, and real activity across the ecosystem’s applications.
These figures are verified reference points at a specific date, not forecasts. No analyst, however serious, knows where the ether price will be a year from now.
Diversifiez votre patrimoineInvestissez dans l’artDes tableaux originaux, pièces uniques signées par l’artiste. Un actif tangible, loin des écrans et des cotations.Voir les tableaux →Should You Buy Ethereum in 2026?
Pros:
- Dominant programmable platform: most decentralised applications and DeFi liquidity sit on Ethereum.
- ETH is the network’s “fuel”: every transaction and every application uses it, which supports demand.
- Successful technical transitions: The Merge cut energy consumption by 99.95% and modernised issuance.
- The world’s second most liquid crypto asset, instantly convertible and listed on every reputable platform.
Points to watch:
- High volatility: around 56% below its all-time high as of the date checked.
- Variable transaction fees, which can make small transactions expensive when the network is busy.
- Head-on competition from other smart contract networks that are faster or cheaper to use.
- No hard supply cap: issuance is governed by the protocol rather than fixed at an unchangeable number.
- Regulatory risk around decentralised finance, the core use case of the network.
Ethereum is the second pillar of the crypto market and the most direct exposure to decentralised applications. Its risk is twofold: that of the crypto market as a whole, and the more specific risk of a technology platform that must stay ahead of aggressive competitors.
How to Buy Ethereum
- Choose a platform: fees, security and euro support are the key criteria; compare options in our selection of the best brokers and crypto platforms.
- Open an account: sign up, then complete the mandatory identity verification before your first purchase.
- Fund your account: a SEPA bank transfer is usually the cheapest option, a bank card the fastest.
- Buy ETH: select the ETH/EUR pair, enter the amount — fractional buying accepts small orders — then confirm the order.
- Secure your ether: for significant amounts, transfer it to a wallet whose keys you control; our guide to cryptocurrencies and wallets explains the options and precautions.
If you plan to use decentralised applications, keep a small ETH reserve to cover transaction fees: without gas, no transaction goes through on the network.
Ethereum (ETH) FAQ
Is Ethereum a good investment?
ETH is the most established crypto asset after bitcoin, with real utility at the heart of a massive ecosystem. But it remains volatile: around 56% below its all-time high as of the date checked. It can be a good investment for an informed saver who accepts deep drawdowns and sizes their exposure accordingly; it is a poor choice for short-term savings.
What price can I expect for Ethereum in 2026?
No price can be reliably predicted, for 2026 or beyond: any numerical forecast is speculative. The variables to watch are concrete: activity on the network’s applications, fees and volumes, net ETH issuance since The Merge, and the regulatory framework for DeFi. The figures in this guide were verified on November 11, 2026 and should be checked again before any decision.
Is it too late to buy ether?
The question comes up in every cycle, and the answer has turned out to be “no” after each of the major historical corrections. The ecosystem remains the industry leader, which supports the long-term thesis; but past returns do not repeat automatically, and the risk of a lasting decline remains. Perfect timing does not exist, but buying in instalments (dollar-cost averaging) partly solves the problem.
How is ether taxed in France?
In France, selling crypto assets for legal tender is in principle subject to the 30% flat tax (12.8% income tax plus 17.2% social contributions). Crypto-to-crypto swaps follow specific rules. The rules change over time: check the rate that applies at the time of the transaction with the tax authorities. If you live in another country, your local crypto tax rules apply.
How do I store my ether safely?
For small amounts, a mobile wallet app is enough; for significant amounts, use an offline hardware wallet whose recovery phrase only you hold, written on paper and never photographed. Always double-check the address before a transfer: a blockchain transaction is irreversible and no support team can undo it.
Disclaimer: this content is for information only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile assets and carry a risk of capital loss; past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Only invest money you do not need.