altcoin

noun

alt·​coin ˈȯlt-ˌkȯin How to pronounce altcoin (audio)
plural altcoins
: any of various cryptocurrencies that are regarded as alternatives to established cryptocurrencies and especially to Bitcoin
Since then, thousands of new altcoins … have been created and added into the crypto ecosystem. "Altcoin" refers to any type of cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.Meghan DeMatteo
Ethereum's surge has triggered wider interest in the altcoin universe from retail investors with cash to burn …Postmedia Breaking News
… major cryptocurrency projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and smaller altcoinsbenzinga.com

Examples of altcoin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In his time, bitcoin was priced at less than a dollar, and there were no altcoins, major mining operations, or AI. Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 The risk-on sentiment bled into altcoins, or cryptocurrencies that aren’t bitcoin, most of which have struggled to keep pace with bitcoin’s gains this year. Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 9 May 2025 When broader economic conditions favor cryptocurrency investment, capital typically flows first to Bitcoin before spreading to smaller altcoins. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025 Year to date, however, ether and other major altcoins – with the exception of XRP – are still deep in the red compared to bitcoin. Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 9 May 2025 With 80% of its supply concentrated in the hands of insiders, the rise and fall of $TRUMP served as a cautionary tale about the speculative frenzy that often grips altcoin markets. Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 In addition to various altcoin companies, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. announced their new bitcoin mining venture, American Bitcoin, earlier this month. Leigh Cuen, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 If that happens, Bitcoin and altcoin currencies are likely to see another strong year. Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2025 In addition, many altcoins underwent notable price increases, rising between 10% and 30% in the space of 24 hours, CoinMarketCap figures show. Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alt- + -coin (in bitcoin)

First Known Use

2011, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of altcoin was in 2011

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Cite this Entry

“Altcoin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altcoin. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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