When Bitcoin was first unveiled in 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto demonstrated that it was possible to run completely decentralized and peer2peer payment systems. But Satoshi just opened the door for more advanced platforms such as Ethereum.

The Ethereum development team pushed the imagination and application of blockchain technology to newer levels by extending decentralization into the workings of a complete ecosystem. With Ethereum, users can send funds to each other on a peer-to-peer basis, create decentralized applications (DApps), and now, it is now even possible to create your own token using the platform.

While the DAO Child attack that took place in 2016 shook the network, to the extent of causing a split to Ethereum Classic and Ethereum, the improvements done by Ethereum development team have made the platform to emerge one of the top platforms in the industry. This post takes a closer look at Ethereum and outlines the best methods on how to invest in Ethereum.

Ethereum">What is Ethereum?

Ethereum is an open source and decentralized blockchain-based platform designed to facilitate the creation and deployment of decentralized applications. Ethereum operates like Bitcoin or Litecoin in many aspects because it is decentralized and also features a native coin, known as ETH. However, its focus on decentralized applications sets it apart.

The mining algorithm used at Ethereum is known as proof of work (PoW) consensus which requires the miners to complete work to earn the ETH tokens. However, Ethereum has indicated that they are planning a shift to a proof of stake (PoS) consensus algorithm in the future.

The Ethereum platform also features another native token referred to as GAS. This token is used to power all activities, such as transaction fees, on the network.

When the discussion about how to invest in Ethereum stock comes up,people always ask; “Why Ethereum?” The answer is that Ethereum is among the top blockchains helping to define the future of the industry.

The design to act as the platform for developers, with its simplified Turing complete programming language, has enabled Ethereum to be applied in almost every industry. From trading stocks to agriculture, through to space studies and payment systems, Ethereum has become the preferred option by many cryptocurrency users.

Two other important features of Ethereum which make it one of the platforms with that offers the most include:

• Ethereum Smart contracts: This is a self-executing type of contract that is run on blockchain platforms to make even the complex transactions direct, immutable, inviolable, censorship-free, and with no risk of third-party interference.
• Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM): Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM): EVM is Turing complete software which is considered the nerve center of the Ethereum platform. It is the program that connects all the Ethereum nodes across the globe and operates as the engine that drives the platform. EVM has also made the process of creating new tokens easy and fast.

When all of these Ethereum features, applications, and operations are put together; they make it one of the best platforms with the most potential in the industry. Therefore, if you want to take advantage of the platform’s features, or simply want to grow together with Ethereum, you might be asking yourself, “How can I invest in Ethereum?”

Note that before investing in Ethereum, you will need to have the right wallet to store the cryptocurrency. Some of the main wallets that you can use include:

• MyEtherWallet (web-based wallet)
• Ledger Nano S Wallet (hardware wallet)
• Exodus wallet (desktop wallet)
• Jaxx wallet (mobile wallet)

Ethereum-Using-Fiat-Currencies-via-Broker-Exchanges">Investing in Ethereum Using Fiat Currencies via Broker Exchanges

Exchange brokers are platforms created to help people exchange their fiat currencies for digital assets such as Ethereum and Bitcoin. Though there are many brokers on the market, the most common ones are CEX.IO, CoinMama, and Coinbase. In this case, we’ll take a closer look at CEX.IO.

CEX.IO

CEX.IO is one of the leading exchanges and was started to help people easily invest in Bitcoin, as well as to facilitate cloud mining. The exchange is based out of London, but is available to crypto users all over the globe.

As a centralized broker, it implies that the user is required to first deposit the funds to buy Ethereum using the platform. Here is the process of using CEX.io to purchase Ethereum.

1. Visit the CEX.IO site and register for an account
2. Set your two-factor authentication
3. Verify the account using additional information such as proof of address and a personal photo
4. Fund the account either using a credit card, prepaid card, or wire transfer

Once the CEX.IO account is funded, you can go ahead and purchase ETH. Note that a transaction fee of 0.2% is charged for using the CEX.IO platform.

The link below is a demonstration of how to buy Ethereum using CEX.IO, while the table outlines the main pros and cons of using brokers to invest in Ethereum.

Ethereum">Pros and Cons of Using Brokers to Invest in Ethereum

Pros

• Easy to use
• Ideal for beginners
• Allows the use of fiat currencies
• Secure that standard exchanges

Cons

• Transaction charges are relatively higher compared to other crypto exchanges
• Subject to know-your-customer (KYC) rules
• They are centralized and, therefore, strategic points of attacks by hackers

Ethereum-Through-Peer-to-peer-Exchanges">How to Invest in Ethereum Through Peer-to-peer Exchanges

Peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchanges are fully decentralized platforms that help crypto buyers and sellers negotiate directly. One good thing about peer-to-peer Ethereum trading platforms is that they allow users to invest anonymously. One of the most popular peer-to-peer exchanges for buying Ethereum is known as LocalEthereum.

Ethereum">LocalEthereum

This is a peer-to-peer Ether portal designed to allow users to swap ETH with fiat currencies. It was launched in October 2017 and was meant to act as the “LocalBitcoins” (one of the leading peer 2 peer trading platforms established in 2012)  for the Ethereum platform.

To buy Ether using LocalEthereum, both the buyer and seller are required to pay for the transaction. The buyer is charged 0.75%, while the seller is charged 0.25%.

Unlike the LocalBitcoins, the LocalEthereum platform features a native wallet that allows users to have full control over their private keys. The exchange also provides high-end message encryption, messaging privacy, and a signature system.

The process of buying Ethereum only takes a few steps as follows:

1. Open an account to become a peer on the LocalEthereum platform
2. The buyer and seller agree on the terms of trade
3. The seller places the Ether to be sold on an Escrow smart contract (this provides proof of funds and further demonstrates that the seller is indeed the owner of the tokens)
4. The buyer makes payment on the escrow account, and the smart contract completes the transaction by remitting the funds to the seller and ETH to the buyer.

The following video provides an in-depth review of the LocalEthereum platform

Buy-Ethereum">Pros and cons of using peer-to-peer platforms to Buy Ethereum

Pros

• They are available worldwide
• Users are allowed to select their payment options
• The communication is encrypted
• The process is straightforward

Cons

• It requires basic understanding of how Ethereum’s system works
• The system may take longer than other exchanges

Ethereum-Using-Centralized-Exchanges">How to Invest in Ethereum Using Centralized Exchanges

For people who already have other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ripple, they can buy ETH through centralized exchanges using their cryptocurrency. Centralized exchanges are the most common cryptocurrency trading platforms which are designed to facilitate the exchange of digital tokens.

Note that these exchanges are centralized and operate under the laws of the jurisdictions they are registered in. This implies that to buy ETH, you will be required to start by depositing the current digital currency such as Bitcoin of XRP.

Some of the most popular exchanges that allow users to buy ETH with other tokens are Binance, Poloniex, and Bittrex. Here is a closer look at Binance.

Binance

Binance is a Chinese cryptocurrency exchange that was started in mid-2017 by Yi He and Changpeng Zhao. The founders were concerned that trading in digital platforms was getting complex and very expensive. They addressed the problems by creating an easy to use platform that only charges trades a small fee.

Note that Binance moved its servers from China to Malta following the Chinese administration’s introduction of combative policies towards cryptocurrencies and trading exchanges.

To lower the cost of transactions, Binance introduced its native token referred as BNB. The transaction charge of using Binance to buy ETH is 0.1%.

However, users can lower the cost of transactions by 25% if they pay with BNB tokens. This makes Binance one of the cheapest platforms on the market today.

If you’re asking yourself, “How do I invest in Ethereum?”, here is the process to follow.

1. Visit Binance website and register for an account
2. Enable 2-factor authentication
3. Deposit your tokens (such as Bitcoin or Ripple)
4. Execute a buy or sell transaction

The following link provides insights on Binance exchange  

Pros

• The exchange allows people to use many different altcoins to buy Ethereum
• The exchanges are peer-to-peer and very secure
• They allow users to buy Ethereum at the latest rates.

Cons

• The exchanges are an easy target for hackers
• Most exchanges only support crypto-to-crypto trading only

The Final Take

This post has established that Ethereum is one of the platforms with the most potential in helping to promote faster adoption of blockchain in the society. Many people are particularly impressed by its focus on supporting decentralized applications and making it easy for people to design their own tokens.

The outlined methods on how to invest in Ethereum, provide several different ways to become part of the network. However, it is important to always carefully evaluate each platform before investing in Ethereum and always avoid platforms that seem risky.

Additionally, make sure to also have a reliable wallet, preferably a cold hardware wallet, to store your tokens after purchase. Do not get left behind, invest in Ethereum today and become part of the future of the blockchain industry.