Altcoin

Definition ∞ An altcoin is any cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin. These digital assets operate on their own distinct blockchain protocols or are forks of existing ones, presenting a wide spectrum of technological approaches and use cases. Their emergence signifies the ongoing innovation within the decentralized ledger space beyond the progenitor cryptocurrency.
Context ∞ The landscape of altcoins is characterized by rapid development and market fluctuations, with news often focusing on new project launches, protocol upgrades, or shifts in investor sentiment. Understanding the specific functionalities and underlying tokenomics of various altcoins is crucial for deciphering market trends and the evolving applications of blockchain technology.