Ethereum (ETH)

A plain-language guide for first-timers

Today's price

€1,483.24

Updated 2 Jul 2026

↑ +7.23% today

Price chart

What is Ethereum?

Ethereum, launched in 2015, is a decentralized platform that introduced the world to smart contracts. This technology enables developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) for a variety of uses beyond just currency — from creating digital art marketplaces to developing secure financial services and even games. Ether (ETH) is the cryptocurrency that powers the Ethereum platform. It serves as the 'fuel' for the network, necessary for executing all transactions and services. Ether is the second-biggest cryptocurrency by market cap after Bitcoin. Learn more in our workshops!

New to crypto? See how CryptoUnity works, browse our beginner workshops, or look up any term in the glossary.

How to buy Ethereum in the EU

Four steps, start to finish — most people are done in under ten minutes.

1

Download the CryptoUnity app

Create your free account and complete a quick one-time identity check (about 5 minutes). It keeps everyone’s funds safe.
2

Add euros

Top up by SEPA bank transfer or card. There are no deposit fees, and switchers get 0% trading fees for the first 30 days.
3

Buy Ethereum

Buy ETH from as little as €1 — you don’t need to buy a whole coin. You’ll see the exact amount and price before you confirm.
4

Hold it or set a recurring buy

Your ETH is held in BitGo-secured custody, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet anytime. Prefer to invest a little at a time? Set up an automatic recurring buy in a couple of taps.

Get the app and buy ETH →

Try it

If I had invested a small amount regularly…

This is called DCA . It's how most beginners start. Pick an amount and how often to run the numbers on Ethereum's real price history.

Common questions about Ethereum

Real questions, plain answers. If you have one we missed, write us and we'll add it.

Is Ethereum safe? +

Ethereum itself is a public network — no single company runs it, which is part of what makes it trustworthy. The risk people usually mean is price: ETH can move sharply in a single day. Only put in what you'd be comfortable losing while you learn.

Is Ethereum a good investment for beginners? +

No one can promise that — ETH's price can rise or fall sharply, and past performance is never a guarantee. What you can control is how you invest: many beginners buy a small amount on a regular schedule (called dollar-cost averaging) instead of trying to time the market, and only invest what they can afford to lose. Treat Ethereum as a long-term way to learn, not a get-rich-quick bet.

Can I buy a small amount? +

Yes. You can start with as little as €1 of ETH. You don't need to buy a whole coin — they're divisible to many decimal places.

Where is my ETH stored? +

When you buy through CryptoUnity, your ETH is held in BitGo-secured custody — the same provider used by major institutions. You can also withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.

What can I actually do with it? +

You can hold it (many people do, hoping the price rises over time), send it to friends or merchants who accept it, or trade it for other coins. Inside the app you can also set up a weekly auto-buy.

What's the difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum? +

Bitcoin is digital money. Ethereum is a platform that runs programs (called smart contracts), which can do things like power apps, games, and financial tools. Many people own both for different reasons.