Ethereum is a programmable smart contract platform that uses Ether as its currency.Over the next few years the issuance of Ether will slow down. Additionally, an increasing amount of Ether will be locked up and unavailable for trading.At the same time the growing institutional interest in smart contracts and cryptocurrencies will increase demand for Ether.Ether serves as the base layer for a smart contract ecosystem that has the potential to upend or replace many existing financial institutions.Although many mainstream investors have purchased Bitcoin, few have considered Ether. Investors should start paying attention now, because the value of Ether could increase substantially in the coming years.