Solidity is the primary programming language for writing Ethereum smart contracts. It is a statically-typed, contract-oriented language with syntax influenced by JavaScript and C++. It powers virtually all DeFi protocols, NFT contracts, and DAOs on Ethereum and EVM-compatible chains.
2014
Gavin Wood proposes Solidity at a Bitcoin conference
2015
Solidity used in Ethereum mainnet launch
2016
DAO hack reveals reentrancy vulnerability — Solidity security scrutinised
2021
Solidity 0.8 introduces built-in overflow protection by default
Writing smart contracts for Ethereum and EVM-compatible blockchains
💡 Did You Know
Solidity was first proposed by Gavin Wood at a Bitcoin conference in 2014 — before Ethereum had even launched
⚠ Controversies & Red Flags
Solidity's complexity and subtle pitfalls — reentrancy attacks, integer overflows, access control bugs — have led to billions of dollars in smart contract exploits.