noun | alt·koin
Any crypto that's not Bitcoin, the OG gangsta of digital money. Altcoins are like the hipster craft beers of the crypto world - there's one for every taste, but good luck figuring out which ones aren't just overhyped crap. From Ethereum to Dogecoin, altcoins promise the moon but often deliver dirt.
Example
"I'm tired of Bitcoin maximalists shitting on my altcoin portfolio. Bro, do you even DeFi?"
"My crazy uncle is always shilling me some new altcoin that's gonna '100x bro, trust me!' I'm like, sure Jan."
"I put my life savings into this obscure altcoin called 'ElonSperm' and now I'm living in a cardboard box."
If Bitcoin is like the most popular kid's scooter in the park, then altcoins are all the other different scooters you see around. They might look a bit different and work a bit differently, but you can ride them just like the popular one.
Example
I have a scooter that's not the usual one everyone has; it's an altcoin scooter!
Basically means "not Bitcoin." It's like every other drink at the bar that isn't your usual pint of lager. There are loads of them, and some are weirdly fruity or just knock you off your feet.
Example
I started trading altcoins, and it's like switching from beer to those fancy cocktails—more variety, but you've got to watch what you're doing!
Altcoin is short for "alternative coin" - basically any crypto that's NOT Bitcoin. There are thousands of altcoins out there, from Ethereum and Litecoin to memecoins like Dogecoin. Altcoins are like the wild west of crypto - some are legit projects trying to solve real problems, others are straight up scams. Gotta be careful out there!
Example
"I'm thinking of diversifying my crypto portfolio with some promising altcoins."
"Bro, you gotta check out this new altcoin, I think it's gonna be the next big thing!"
"I lost a bunch of money chasing altcoin pumps, lesson learned - stick to the blue chips."
Altcoin is like the rebellious little brother of Bitcoin. Basically, it's any cryptocurrency that isn't Bitcoin. It's like the crypto world's version of "indie" music - there are so many different kinds, and some of them are way more obscure than others.
Altcoins are often created with a specific purpose or use case in mind. Some are designed to be faster or more private than Bitcoin, while others are created as a joke or a meme (looking at you, Dogecoin). But let's be real - most altcoins are just hoping to ride on Bitcoin's coattails and make a quick buck.
Example
"I just invested in this new altcoin that's supposed to be the next big thing. It's called 'ElonsCumRocket' or something like that."
"I'm thinking of converting all my Bitcoin into altcoins. I know it's risky, but I'm feeling lucky."