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Bitcoin Alternatives: Altcoins To Know About

By Eric RosenbergPublished Aug 1, 2022 · Updated Nov 8, 2026 · 6 min read
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Bitcoin alternatives, called altcoins, are any cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, and the largest ones include Ethereum, XRP, BNB, Solana and the stablecoins Tether (USDT) and USDC. Most aren't trying to replace Bitcoin as digital money. They do other jobs, such as running apps, moving payments or holding a steady $1 value.

Quick Take

  • Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency and the main platform for apps, tokens and stablecoins.
  • Stablecoins like USDT and USDC are among the largest altcoins by value, but they're built to stay at $1, not to grow.
  • US exchanges began listing spot ETFs for altcoins such as Solana, XRP and Dogecoin in late 2025, after the SEC approved generic listing rules in September 2025.

What Makes Bitcoin Different

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency. A person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto published its white paper in October 2008, and the network launched in January 2009. Its supply is capped at 21 million coins, and about 20.1 million had been mined by early November 2026.

Bitcoin does one main job: it's a scarce digital asset you can send without a bank. Its network changes slowly on purpose. Altcoins exist because developers wanted features Bitcoin doesn't have, such as smart contracts, faster settlement or a stable price. Our article on what Bitcoin is covers how it works, and blockchain basics explains the technology underneath.

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The Main Types Of Bitcoin Alternatives

Type What It Does Examples
Smart Contract Platforms Run apps, tokens and DeFi Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Avalanche, Tron
Payment Networks Move money quickly and cheaply XRP, Stellar, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash
Stablecoins Hold a steady $1 value USDT, USDC
Exchange Tokens Pay fees and perks on an exchange's network BNB
Infrastructure Connect blockchains or feed them data Chainlink, Polkadot, Polygon
Meme Coins Trade on community and attention Dogecoin, Shiba Inu
Privacy Coins Hide sender, receiver or amount Monero, Zcash

Smart Contract Platforms

  • Ethereum (ETH): the largest smart contract network, home to most DeFi apps, NFTs and stablecoins. It switched to proof of stake in 2022. Read what Ethereum is.
  • Solana (SOL): a fast, low-fee chain popular for trading apps and meme coins. See how to invest in Solana.
  • Cardano (ADA): a proof-of-stake chain built through peer-reviewed research. See how to invest in Cardano.
  • Avalanche (AVAX): a platform that lets projects launch their own custom chains.
  • Tron (TRX): the network that carries the largest share of USDT, used widely for cheap stablecoin transfers.

Payment Networks

  • XRP: the coin behind the XRP Ledger, which Ripple promotes for cross-border payments. The SEC's lawsuit against Ripple ended in 2025 when both sides dropped their appeals. See how to invest in Ripple.
  • Stellar (XLM): a payment network focused on remittances and tokenized dollars. Read our Stellar article.
  • Litecoin (LTC): a 2011 fork of Bitcoin's code with faster blocks. See how to invest in Litecoin.
  • Bitcoin Cash (BCH): a 2017 split from Bitcoin with bigger blocks for cheaper payments.

Stablecoins

Stablecoins are tokens pegged to a currency, most commonly the US dollar. USDT and USDC are the two largest, and they're mainly used for trading, saving in dollars outside a bank and sending money across borders. Our USDC vs. USDT comparison explains how they differ, and PayPal USD is a smaller option inside PayPal.

Other Altcoins To Know

  • BNB: the token of Binance's BNB Chain, used for fees and discounts on Binance.
  • Chainlink (LINK): supplies outside data, such as prices, to smart contracts.
  • Polkadot (DOT): links separate blockchains so they can share security and messages.
  • Polygon (POL): a set of networks that make Ethereum apps cheaper. MATIC was upgraded to POL in September 2024. See our Polygon article.
  • Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB): meme coins driven by community and social media. Read our Dogecoin experiment and Shiba Inu article.
  • Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC): privacy coins. OKX, Bitget and Coinbase don't list Monero, and Kraken stopped offering it to customers in the European Economic Area in 2024, so availability depends on where you live.

Is Any Cryptocurrency Better Than Bitcoin?

No altcoin is better at everything. Each one trades something off. Ethereum and Solana do far more than Bitcoin but get upgraded more frequently and have more ways to break. Stablecoins hold their value but depend on a company's reserves. Bitcoin is the largest and simplest but can't run complex apps on its main chain.

The better question is what you want the coin to do. Our article on crypto portfolio allocation covers how people think about mixing Bitcoin and altcoins.

How To Buy Altcoins

Most large exchanges list the coins above, but listings vary by country:

Exchange Where It Serves Customers Link
Coinbase US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia Visit Coinbase
Kraken US (not New York or Maine), UK, EU, Canada, Australia Visit Kraken
Crypto.com US and most countries Visit Crypto.com
Binance Some withdrawals pausedWithdrawals paused for some coins (INJ, XPL, NEAR, LTC) after the Oct 29, 2026 hack Checked Nov 8, 2026. Global, not the US. Withdrawals reopened in phases after its Oct. 29, 2026 hack Visit Binance
OKX Global, plus a separate US app Visit OKX

US readers can use Binance.US (visit Binance.US) in place of Binance. Our best cryptocurrency exchanges ranking scores each one on cost and safety, and each coin's price page lists where it trades.

In the US, you can also buy some altcoins through spot ETFs in a brokerage account. Spot ether ETFs started trading in July 2024, and funds holding Solana, Litecoin, Hedera, XRP and Dogecoin directly followed between late October and late November 2025.

Risks Of Buying Altcoins

  • Bigger price swings: most altcoins rise and fall harder than Bitcoin, and smaller ones can lose nearly all their value. Our article on crypto and stock market correlation shows how they move together in selloffs.
  • Projects fail: many altcoins from earlier cycles no longer trade or have little activity.
  • Concentrated control: some altcoins have large shares held by founders, foundations or early investors who can sell.
  • Regulation: rules differ by country, and privacy coins and some tokens face exchange delistings.
  • Scams: fake tokens and pump-and-dump schemes target altcoin buyers. See common crypto scams.
  • Taxes: most countries tax crypto gains, including swaps between coins. In the US, trading one altcoin for another is a taxable sale. Our page on crypto tax rates covers US rules.

FAQ

What Is The Best Alternative To Bitcoin?

There isn't one best alternative, because altcoins do different jobs. Ethereum is the largest and runs most crypto apps, stablecoins are the choice for holding dollars, and payment networks like XRP and Stellar target transfers.

What Is The Second-Largest Cryptocurrency?

Ethereum (ETH) is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value after Bitcoin. Check our Ethereum price page for its current market cap.

Are Altcoins Riskier Than Bitcoin?

Yes, in most cases. Altcoins are smaller and newer, and many have more concentrated ownership, so their prices swing more and more of them fail.

El Salvador made bitcoin legal tender in 2021. In January 2025, after a loan deal with the IMF, its Legislative Assembly changed the law on Jan. 29, 2025, so businesses no longer have to accept bitcoin.

Can I Buy Altcoins In A Retirement Account?

In the US, yes, through spot crypto ETFs at many brokerages or through a crypto IRA. Our best Bitcoin and crypto IRA providers ranking compares crypto IRAs.

About the author

Eric Rosenberg, Contributor

Eric Rosenberg is a financial writer, speaker and consultant who follows crypto, NFTs and other new technology in personal finance. He holds a B.S. in finance and an M.B.A.

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