To buy Ethereum (ETH) in Chile, you can use Skipo, a Chilean digital asset platform registered with the CMF. On Skipo you buy ETH directly in pesos, commission-free, with instant settlement and 24/7 access. You can start from CLP 1,000.
What will we cover in this article?
In this guide we explain what Ethereum is, why it is relevant as an investment asset, its main use cases and how to buy it step by step from Chile. We also compare the advantages of doing it with Skipo versus other platforms available in the local market.
What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is an open-source decentralized platform based on blockchain technology that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). It was proposed in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin and launched in July 2015. Its co-founders also include Gavin Wood, Charles Hoskinson and Joseph Lubin, among others.
It is important to distinguish between Ethereum (the network) and ETH or Ether (the native cryptocurrency). ETH is used to pay transaction fees on the network (gas fees), as collateral in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and as a store of value within the ecosystem.
Ethereum in numbers
ETH is the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world by market capitalization, behind only Bitcoin. As of April 2026, its market cap is approximately US$265 billion and it trades at around US$2,100-2,200, according to data from CoinDesk. The circulating supply is approximately 120.7 million tokens. Unlike Bitcoin, ETH has no fixed maximum supply, but the burn mechanism introduced with EIP-1559 (August 2021) means the network can be deflationary during periods of high activity. Ethereum reached its all-time high (ATH) of almost US$5,000 in August 2025, and has since gone through a significant correction to current levels.
The Merge and Proof of Stake
In September 2022, Ethereum completed The Merge, migrating from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS). This change reduced the network's energy consumption by more than 99%. Currently, around 30-33% of ETH's total supply is staked, generating annual yields of approximately 3-4% APR for validators.
The Ethereum ecosystem today
Ethereum is the dominant blockchain in DeFi (decentralized finance). According to DefiLlama, Ethereum's TVL (Total Value Locked) stands at around US$68 billion, the largest concentration of capital on any blockchain. The network also hosts more than half of the global stablecoin supply (USDC, USDT, DAI, among others).
Layer 2 solutions such as Arbitrum, Optimism, Base and zkSync process a growing share of transactions in the Ethereum ecosystem, with transaction costs that can be fractions of a cent.
In 2025, spot Ethereum ETFs were approved in the US and attracted approximately US$9.7 billion in net inflows during the year, according to Farside Investors data. This marked the formal entry of institutional capital into the ETH ecosystem.
Ethereum's next major upgrade is Glamsterdam, planned for the first half of 2026. This upgrade introduces parallel transaction execution through Block-Level Access Lists, enshrined Proposer/Builder Separation (ePBS) and a significant increase in the gas limit, with the goal of scaling the network's throughput toward 10,000 transactions per second.
Ethereum is much more than a cryptocurrency: it is the programmable infrastructure on which decentralized finance, stablecoins, tokenized assets and much of the crypto ecosystem are built.
Why is Ethereum interesting for investors?
The most used blockchain in the world
Ethereum is where most DeFi applications, stablecoins, NFTs and tokenized assets operate. With more than US$68 billion in value locked in its protocols and the largest concentration of stablecoins circulating on its network, Ethereum is not just speculation: there is real, sustained economic activity running on this infrastructure.
Transition to Proof of Stake
Since The Merge, Ethereum is a more energy-efficient network with an issuance mechanism that can be deflationary. ETH staking generates yields of 3-4% APR, which makes it a productive asset within the ecosystem.
Growing institutional adoption
In 2025 spot Ethereum ETFs were approved in the US, with net inflows of approximately US$9.7 billion during the year. BlackRock, Fidelity and Grayscale are some of the main issuers. This validates Ethereum as an asset of institutional interest and opens the door to capital flows that previously had no direct access.
An expanding Layer 2 ecosystem
Layer 2 solutions (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, zkSync) are solving Ethereum's historical cost and speed problems. L2 transactions cost fractions of a cent, making the ecosystem increasingly accessible for everyday users and high-volume applications.
Relevance for Latin America
The stablecoins circulating on Ethereum (USDC, USDT) are increasingly used in the region for remittances, saving in digital dollars and protecting against inflation. Investing in ETH is, indirectly, a bet on the infrastructure that supports these use cases.
Portfolio diversification
ETH offers exposure to the crypto ecosystem beyond Bitcoin, with a different risk/return profile and a role more tied to technological utility. While Bitcoin positions itself as a "digital store of value", Ethereum works as programmable infrastructure.
Ethereum offers direct exposure to the most used blockchain in the world, with growing institutional adoption, a dominant DeFi ecosystem and constantly evolving technological infrastructure.
What can you do with Ethereum?
ETH has multiple use cases inside and outside the crypto ecosystem:
Store of value and speculation. As the second-largest cryptocurrency, many investors hold ETH as part of their digital asset portfolio, seeking exposure to the ecosystem's growth.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance). ETH is the base asset of the DeFi ecosystem. It is used as collateral for loans, in liquidity pools and to interact with protocols such as Aave, Uniswap and Lido.
Gas fees. Every transaction on the Ethereum network requires ETH to pay processing fees. This creates constant, structural demand for the token.
Staking. ETH holders can take part in staking to help secure the network and earn yields of 3-4% APR.
NFTs and gaming. Ethereum remains the leading blockchain for NFTs and on-chain games, with the largest base of active users and developers.
Payments and transfers. ETH can be sent to anyone in the world, 24 hours a day, with settlement in seconds (especially through Layer 2 solutions).
On Skipo you can buy ETH easily and use it as an investment asset within your portfolio. If you also want to diversify, the platform gives you access to Bitcoin, USDC, PAXG and tokenized stocks via xStocks.
Advantages of buying Ethereum with Skipo
24/7 availability
On Skipo you can buy and sell Ethereum at any time: nights, weekends, holidays. If there is news about the Glamsterdam upgrade, a major market move or any event that affects the price of ETH, you can act immediately without waiting for any market to open.
No commissions
On Skipo we do not charge maintenance, buy or sell commissions. Zero hidden costs. Every peso you invest goes directly into your ETH position.
Direct purchase in pesos
You buy ETH directly in pesos with no need to convert to dollars. This is key for anyone who wants to invest without losing money on the exchange rate, a common problem on other platforms that operate in dollars or apply spreads on the conversion.
Additional advantages
Skipo also offers access to multiple digital assets in addition to Ethereum: Bitcoin, USDC, PAXG, and tokenized stocks like Apple, Tesla and more.
Comparison: traditional platforms vs Skipo
| Criterion | Skipo | Other platforms/exchanges |
|---|---|---|
| Buy/sell commission | CLP 0 | Varies by platform; they generally charge a per-transaction commission or spread |
| Custody/maintenance fee | CLP 0 | Varies; some charge maintenance or custody |
| Exchange spread | No spread, you buy in pesos | Some require conversion to dollars or apply a spread on the exchange rate |
| Trading hours | 24/7 | Most operate 24/7, but some limit deposits/withdrawals to banking hours |
| Settlement | Instant | Varies; some have waiting times for deposits or withdrawals |
| Fractional purchase | Yes, from CLP 1,000 | Depends on the platform; minimum amounts vary |
| Regulatory registration in Chile | Registered with the CMF | Varies; not all operate under CMF supervision |
| Access to other assets | Crypto, tokenized stocks (xStocks), PAXG | Generally limited to cryptocurrencies |
On Skipo we remove the friction so you can buy Ethereum easily, commission-free, in pesos and on a platform registered with the CMF.
How to buy Ethereum on Skipo: step by step
- Download the Skipo app: Available on the App Store and Google Play. Search for "Skipo" and download it for free.
- Create your account: Sign up with your email and verify your identity.
- Deposit: Transfer pesos from your bank account or crypto from other wallets. The deposit shows up in your Skipo account in seconds.
- Find Ethereum (ETH): In the cryptocurrencies section, search for "Ethereum" or "ETH". You will see the current price and the asset's chart.
- Buy: Choose the amount in pesos you want to invest (from CLP 1,000). Confirm and you are done: the trade executes instantly.
Ethereum as an investment asset
Ethereum offers a different proposition from Bitcoin. While Bitcoin positions itself as a digital store of value with a fixed supply, Ethereum is the infrastructure on which the most relevant applications of the crypto ecosystem are built: DeFi, stablecoins, tokenized assets and more.
For those looking to diversify their portfolio and gain exposure to the most used blockchain in the world, ETH is an asset worth knowing. And with Skipo, doing it from Chile is simpler than ever: commission-free, in pesos, 24/7 and on a platform registered with the CMF.
Download the Skipo app and start investing in Ethereum today.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Asset prices can go up or down, and every investment involves risk. Before investing, assess your personal financial situation.
