Altcoin
All cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin.
Beginner-friendly explanation
An altcoin is any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin. There are thousands of them: some aim to improve Bitcoin, while others offer completely different uses (gaming, finance, NFTs...).
Example: Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin are popular altcoins.
Intermediate-level insight
Altcoins represent the technological diversity of the crypto universe. They may have their own blockchain (e.g., Ethereum) or exist as tokens on another blockchain (e.g., USDT on Ethereum). Altcoins explore fields like decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, or blockchain gaming.
Example: Aave is an altcoin specialized in decentralized lending and borrowing (DeFi).
Advanced perspective
The altcoin market is characterized by high volatility, rapid innovation, and heavy speculation. Some altcoins bring major innovations (smart contracts, alternative consensus mechanisms), while others are simply created to ride hype waves.
Example: The emergence of the Ethereum ecosystem has transformed altcoins into a platform for DeFi and NFTs, far beyond simple digital money.
Cryptocurrencies & Tokens
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