​Ethereum $ETH is the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs, currently transitioning through its "Surge" phase to improve scalability. Its market position is dominant due to the massive ecosystem built on its smart contracts. Investors should consider holding ETH long-term, especially with the staking rewards available for passive income. Vitalik Buterin and a global community of developers continue to evolve the network. The future points toward Ethereum becoming the "Global Settlement Layer" for all digital assets. Investment here is highly productive due to the "burn" mechanism that makes #ETH deflationary. It is a must-have for any diversified crypto portfolio.