Overview
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is the sandboxed runtime that executes smart contracts on Ethereum and compatible chains. It is Turing-complete and deterministic. Its design is the foundation of the Ethereum ecosystem.
How It Works
Smart contract bytecode runs on the EVM, which processes each instruction and charges gas for computation. All nodes execute the same code and reach the same state. The EVM's opcode set defines what contracts can do.
Why It Matters
The EVM made programmable blockchain possible and created a huge ecosystem of compatible chains and tooling. EVM compatibility lowers the cost of porting applications. It is the most important virtual machine in Web3.
Related Concepts
The EVM executes Bytecode and Smart Contracts, and relates to Gas Fees and Solidity. It underpins EVM-compatible chains.