An altcoin is any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, from large networks such as Ethereum to stablecoins and meme coins. The name is short for "alternative coin." Altcoins differ widely in purpose, supply and risk. Many are smaller and trade less than Bitcoin, so their prices can swing sharply, and some projects fail.
Where does the word “altcoin” come from?
“Altcoin” is short for “alternative coin.” Bitcoin came first, in January 2009, and later coins were built as alternatives to it. One of the first, Namecoin (April 2011), reused Bitcoin’s code to run a naming system. Some people leave out Ether or stablecoins and treat them as groups of their own.
What are the main types of altcoins?
Altcoins are grouped by what they do, and some fit more than one group.
| Type | What they do | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Smart contract platforms | Run apps and tokens | Ethereum, Solana, Cardano |
| Payment coins | Send value between people | Litecoin, XRP, Bitcoin Cash |
| Stablecoins | Aim to keep a steady price, usually 1 US dollar | USDT, USDC |
| Meme coins | Grew out of internet jokes and communities | Dogecoin |
| DeFi and governance tokens | Used in lending and trading apps, or to vote on changes | Uniswap, Aave |
Stablecoins work differently: see what a stablecoin is. Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX), and UNI is its governance token.
Why do altcoins matter when you buy crypto?
Providers do not all offer the same coins, so check first. See prices and payment options on Coinmama’s coin pages.
Check the network too. As of September 2026, Tether issues USDT on Ethereum, Tron, Solana and other blockchains, and coins sent on one network do not arrive on another. Crypto is delivered to the wallet address you provide, so make sure your wallet supports that network (for example, ERC-20 tokens run on Ethereum).
What are the risks of altcoins?
- Bigger price swings: smaller coins can move sharply. Past performance does not predict future results.
- Thin trading: a coin few people trade can be hard to sell. The US CFTC warns that pump-and-dump schemes target thinly traded or new coins.
- Failed projects: teams can run out of money, and exchanges can delist coins.
- Supply unlocks: check the circulating supply and when locked coins are released.
- Copycat tokens: names can be copied, so check the contract address on the project’s website.
Go deeper: What are altcoins? A beginner’s guide.
