Altcoin, short for "alternative coin," refers to all cryptocurrencies and tokens that are not Bitcoin. While Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most well-known, thousands of other cryptocurrencies have been created since its launch. These altcoins often aim to improve upon Bitcoin's design, offering new features, enhanced security, or different applications. Examples of popular altcoins include Ethereum, which introduces smart contract functionality, and Litecoin, which offers faster transaction times. Altcoins can vary significantly in their use cases, underlying technology, and market value, contributing to the diversity and innovation within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
