altcoin
noun
alt·coin
ˈȯlt-ˌkȯin 
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
Meghan DeMatteoEthereum's surge has triggered wider interest in the altcoin universe from retail investors with cash to burn …—Postmedia Breaking News
Postmedia Breaking News… major cryptocurrency projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and smaller altcoins …—benzinga.com
benzinga.comExamples of altcoin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s a reason why Ether (ETH) is the OG altcoin, next only to bitcoin, in terms of market cap and popularity.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
As Bitcoin appreciated, capital rotated down the risk curve into smaller, less liquid altcoins that could multiply in value much faster from the same amount of money.
—Edan Yago, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
When traders wanted access to a universe of altcoins that other exchanges ignored, Binance listed them.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Rotation Into Altcoins One analyst in particular focused on investors rotating their capital from bitcoin into altcoins.
—Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
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
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Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
As Bitcoin appreciated, capital rotated down the risk curve into smaller, less liquid altcoins that could multiply in value much faster from the same amount of money.
—Edan Yago, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
When traders wanted access to a universe of altcoins that other exchanges ignored, Binance listed them.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Rotation Into Altcoins One analyst in particular focused on investors rotating their capital from bitcoin into altcoins.
—Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Altcoin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altcoin. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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