Altcoin
A digital currency that runs on a blockchain and has its own purpose or ecosystem.
An altcoin is a cryptocurrency with its own features, purpose, or community.
The word comes from “alternative coin” and is used for any digital asset built to bring something new to the crypto world — faster payments, smart contracts, better privacy, or new ideas in finance.
Altcoins are part of the wider blockchain ecosystem.
Each one usually has its own blockchain, token system, and use case — for example, powering apps, enabling staking, or rewarding users.
Most altcoins are designed to:
- Support decentralized apps or finance (like Ethereum or Solana)
- Create utility inside a project or platform
- Reward validators or network participants
- Experiment with new technologies or governance models
Some are serious projects with strong development teams, while others are created just for memes or community fun.
💡 Lanzo Tip
Think of altcoins as different experiments in the same digital playground.
Each tries to solve a unique problem — some succeed, most fade away.
The smart move is to learn what each one actually does before getting involved.