The Ethereum Yellow Paper is the protocol's official description. It was written by Gavin Wood and is currently being updated by Nick Savers with contributions from many authors around the world. A yellow paper is a technical term for a white paper. If a white paper is a proposal, a yellow paper is the proposal's second part, containing all of the details.

It contains a detailed explanation of how everything in the Ethereum ecosystem works, excluding any changes made through the Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) process. Furthermore, because it is written in the style of a mathematical paper, it may use language that programmers are unfamiliar with.

A yellow paper is a highly technical document that provides a detailed and formal description of a blockchain project or cryptocurrency system. Unlike a white paper, which offers a general overview for a broader audience, a yellow paper delves into the technical specifics, including mathematical models, cryptographic algorithms, and the architecture underlying the system.

The yellow paper is typically aimed at developers, researchers, and technically skilled investors. It often covers topics such as consensus mechanisms, tokenomics, smart contract functionality, and security protocols. A notable example is Ethereum’s yellow paper, authored by Gavin Wood, which outlines Ethereum's technical framework. Yellow papers are essential for ensuring transparency and fostering trust among the crypto community.