Altcoins

Altcoins, short for “alternative coins,” refers to all cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. While Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most well-known and widely used, altcoins encompass a diverse range of digital currencies that were developed after Bitcoin’s introduction in 2009. These currencies often have different features, use cases, and consensus mechanisms compared to Bitcoin.

Some altcoins aim to improve upon Bitcoin’s technology or functionality, while others introduce entirely new concepts, such as smart contracts (e.g., Ethereum) or privacy features (e.g., Monero). Altcoins can be used for various purposes, including payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), and asset tokenization. Examples of popular altcoins include Ethereum, Ripple (XRP), Litecoin, and Cardano. The altcoin market is known for its volatility and innovation, often reflecting speculative investment trends within the broader cryptocurrency landscape.