Funny story: When I first started into crypto, I thought every kind of computer money was just called Bitcoin. So if someone asked what I had, I’d proudly say, “Oh, I’ve got 4 Bitcoins in my portfolio”—when what I really meant was XRP, DOGE, ETH, and one actual Bitcoin. 😂
Eventually, I learned a simple truth that cleared everything up:
👉 If it’s not Bitcoin, it’s called an altcoin.
Yes, it’s really that simple. Altcoin literally just means “alternative coin.” So all the other coins you hear about—Ethereum, Solana, XRP, DOGE, Cardano, Polygon—they all fall under the altcoin category.
Why the confusion?
Well, Bitcoin was the first. It was the coin that introduced the idea of cryptocurrency to the world. So for many of us starting out, Bitcoin = crypto. It’s like how some people say Colgate when they mean toothpaste or Xerox when they mean photocopy. It became the default word.
But the crypto world didn’t stop with Bitcoin. Thousands of other coins were created, each with their own ideas, communities, and use cases. Some want to be faster than Bitcoin. Some want to be the backbone of smart contracts. Some are memes that surprisingly gained value (hello, DOGE).
My early lightbulb moment
I remember the day I finally “got it.” Someone told me, “Bitcoin is Bitcoin. Everything else? Altcoin.” That’s it. No complicated formulas. No heavy technical explanation. Just a line that stuck with me.
And honestly, once you see it that way, crypto becomes less intimidating. You don’t have to memorize all 10,000+ coins out there. You just have to understand the categories:
- Bitcoin – the OG, the pioneer, the gold standard.
- Altcoins – everything else.
From there, you can slowly learn which altcoins interest you most. Do you like Ethereum because of NFTs and smart contracts? Or do you like meme coins because they’re fun (and risky)?
Why it matters
Understanding the difference between Bitcoin and altcoins helps you make smarter choices. Instead of saying “I bought crypto,” you can be more specific: “I bought ETH,” “I stacked some DOGE,” or “I’m holding SOL” It’s a small shift, but it makes conversations clearer and your own journey less confusing.
Final thought
So, if you’re just starting out, here’s my advice: don’t stress. We’ve all been confused at some point. The important thing is you’re learning. And if someone asks you what an altcoin is, you can now confidently say:
“If it’s not Bitcoin, it’s an altcoin.”
Simple, right?
À demain! (Or in English, See you tomorrow!)
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