While Bitcoin may be the most well-known cryptocurrency, it is just the tip of the iceberg in the vast and diverse world of digital assets. Altcoins—short for “alternative coins”—include thousands of other cryptocurrencies that offer unique features, use cases, and technological innovations. Ethereum introduced smart contracts, enabling decentralized applications (dApps), while coins like Cardano, Solana, and Polkadot aim to improve scalability, speed, and energy efficiency. Some altcoins focus on privacy (like Monero and Zcash), others on interoperability or governance. Each plays a distinct role in the evolving crypto ecosystem, offering investors and developers new opportunities—and risks. Exploring altcoins opens the door to understanding how blockchain technology continues to diversify and disrupt industries far beyond just digital payments.