Ethereum turns 10: A timeline of major events and milestones

Ethereum at 10: From Vision to Global Financial Infrastructure

Ten years ago, on July 30, 2015, Ethereum mined its genesis block, unleashing smart contracts and forever changing digital finance. What began as a white paper vision for a censorship-resistant global computer has evolved into the second-largest cryptocurrency, boasting a market capitalization near half a trillion dollars. Its journey, though challenging, has forged its path to mainstream acceptance. Ethereum is no longer experimental; it's a successful proof of concept for integrating traditional finance onto blockchain rails.

A Decade of Defining Moments

Ethereum’s journey is a compelling narrative of innovation, resilience, and growth:

2016: The DAO Hack – A Test of Resilience

Early on, The DAO hack presented an existential crisis, where 3.6 million ETH were exploited. The contentious decision to hard fork, recovering funds by rewriting history, raised questions but ultimately showcased Ethereum's community governance and resilience. This event also led to the creation of Ethereum Classic, marking a foundational split in its history.

2017-18: ICO Mania and Its Legacy

Ethereum became the platform for Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). This "mania" allowed projects to raise millions rapidly, bypassing traditional finance. While many ICOs proved fraudulent, this period also gave birth to crucial decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols like Aave and 0x. Despite the scams, it underscored a powerful global interest in large-scale blockchain fundraising, with Ethereum at its core.

2020: DeFi Summer – Financial Revolution

DeFi Summer brought an explosion of decentralized finance protocols. Built on Ethereum, these allowed users to borrow, lend, and swap assets 24/7 with just a crypto wallet, bypassing banks. This period powerfully demonstrated that smart contracts could rival traditional financial services, with Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols skyrocketing over 2,391% in a single year.

2021-22: NFTs Enter Mainstream Culture

Ethereum transcended finance with the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) boom. Digital art, pixelated punks, and celebrity endorsements became national news. While trends can fade, NFTs showcased Ethereum's versatility for digital ownership and creative expression, bringing blockchain to a much broader, mainstream audience.

2022: The Merge – A Landmark Technical Achievement

Ethereum's most ambitious technical feat was "The Merge." This complex, years-in-the-making transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake was executed flawlessly. It not only revolutionized transaction verification but dramatically reduced the network's carbon footprint by 99.99%. This monumental upgrade cemented Ethereum's commitment to sustainability and scalability.

2025: Seamless Integration with Traditional Finance

Today, Ethereum is deeply integrated into traditional finance. Spot Ethereum ETFs, public companies adopting ETH treasury strategies, and financial giants like BlackRock launching tokenized funds on the blockchain signal profound mainstream acceptance. The recent passage of the GENIUS Act, regulating stablecoins, further benefits Ethereum as it hosts the largest stablecoin supply. These developments bridge traditional and decentralized finance, strengthening Ethereum's ecosystem.

The Next Decade: Unlocking Full Potential

As Ethereum celebrates a decade of uninterrupted operation, its participants believe it's just getting started. Its continuous resilience and trustworthiness form the bedrock of the entire ecosystem. The infrastructure now supports record levels of real-world usage, particularly for stablecoins and tokenized assets. Despite ongoing technical roadmap items, the network's emerging maturity suggests its full potential is only beginning to unfold. The next ten years promise even greater scaling and broader integration, ensuring Ethereum remains at the forefront of digital innovation.