Altcoin Definition

An altcoin refers to any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin. Developers launched these alternative coins to explore features or use cases that Bitcoin either lacks or handles less efficiently, such as faster settlement, programmable contracts, or enhanced privacy.

Prominent examples

  • Ethereum (ETH) introduced smart contracts, enabling decentralized applications.
  • Litecoin (LTC) focuses on quicker block times and lower fees.
  • Solana (SOL) targets high-throughput processing for scalable Web3 services.

Common categories

While definitions vary—some traders exclude Ethereum or stablecoins from the altcoin bracket—the label broadly captures the thousands of projects that followed Bitcoin and continue to diversify the digital-asset landscape.