The Ethereum ecosystem (ETH) can now be said to be one of the largest and most mature in the crypto world.

I will summarize it into several parts for easier understanding:

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1. Core Infrastructure

Ethereum Mainnet → The main network that is currently operating on the Proof of Stake mechanism (PoS) since the Merge in September 2022.

Layer 2 (L2) → A solution to speed up transactions and lower gas fees.
Large example:

Arbitrum (ARB) → focus on DeFi & major applications.

Optimism (OP) → focuses on the project ecosystem and strategic partners.

Base ( from Coinbase ) → integration to retail users.

zkSync, Starknet → use zero-knowledge proof technology.

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2. DeFi (Decentralized Finance)

Ethereum is still the main home for DeFi.

DEX (Decentralized Exchange): Uniswap, Curve, Balancer.

Lending/Borrowing: Aave, Compound, MakerDAO (DAI).

Derivatives & Structured Products: dYdX, Synthetix.

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3. NFT & Gaming

NFT Marketplace: OpenSea, Blur, LooksRare.

Game/Metaverse: The Sandbox, Decentraland, Illuvium.

NFT Infrastructure: Manifold, Zora.

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4. Stablecoin on Ethereum

USDT (Tether)

USDC (Circle)

DAI (MakerDAO, decentralized)

FRAX, LUSD, etc.

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5. DAO & Governance

MakerDAO, ENS DAO, Gitcoin DAO.

Many major protocols on Ethereum are already operating through DAOs for governance.

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6. Latest Trends & Upgrades

Dencun Upgrade (2024) → reduce transaction fees on Layer 2.

EigenLayer → a restaking concept that allows Ethereum validators to lease their security to other protocols.

Focus on modular blockchain → separating execution, data availability, and consensus.