If you are an avid cryptocurrency investor, then you must have realized just how close-knit the cryptocurrency market is. Cryptocurrencies, while different in very many ways, are still very dependent on each other. When one crypto starts to rise or fall, chances are other cryptos are going to follow the same trend. For instance, every single time the price of Bitcoin rises, the price of altcoins rises as well. But why does this happen? If you ever thought of the correlation between cryptocurrencies and why altcoins follow Bitcoin, this article is for you.
What is Altcoin?
The word altcoin is a combination of two words: alt means alternate, and coin means cryptocurrency coin. Combined, these two words represent a class of cryptocurrencies that are alternative to Bitcoin. Essentially, they are alternative cryptocurrencies launched shortly after Bitcoin’s success.
A cryptocurrency market consists of Bitcoins and altcoins. Although Bitcoin is decentralized, altcoins take things to the next level with additional features. Ethereum is the largest altcoin by market value, and it projects itself as a viable alternative to Bitcoin. It introduced the concept of smart contracts, which are codes that can automatically execute contracts between two or more parties via blockchain technology.
Some altcoins are addressing Bitcoin’s shortcomings to provide competitive solutions. For instance, most altcoins provide improved functionality, faster transaction speeds, and scalability. In spite of this, Bitcoin still has the largest market capitalization, which is just below half of the market cap.
What is the difference between Bitcoin and altcoin?
There is no doubt that both Bitcoin and altcoins share the same basic framework. Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency to succeed and therefore, its design and technology set the benchmark for the development of other cryptocurrencies. Unfortunately, it comes with a bunch of shortcomings such as the PoW consensus mechanism that’s both time-consuming and energy-intensive. Additionally, the capabilities of Bitcoin smart contracts are severely limited as well. With that said, here are some noteworthy differences between Bitcoin and altcoins.
|
|
Bitcoin |
Altcoin |
|
Purpose |
To replace the traditional fiat currency system |
To improve upon the limitations of Bitcoin |
|
Market cap |
Occupies over 40% of the entire cryptocurrency market |
Combined they make up over 55% of the cryptocurrency market |
|
Liquidity |
High liquidity |
Thin liquidity |
|
Energy Consumption |
Very high energy consumption |
Reduced energy consumption |
|
Credibility |
Growing demand for Bitcoin as a store of wealth for both individual and institutional investors |
High probability of fading away if there’s a lack of practical use |
Crypto correlation: Do altcoins depend on Bitcoin?
Cryptocorrelation is a term used to describe the behavior of one cryptocurrency towards the behavior of another. Market analysts and experts discovered the first correlation between cryptocurrencies in 2017 when the collapse of Bitcoin led to the eventual drop in the capitalization of all other cryptocurrencies. The fact that Bitcoin jump-started the whole crypto industry has enabled it to have the final say regarding market sentiment. Additionally, traders and investors almost always check Bitcoin before deciding whether or not to sell their altcoin positions.
Simultaneously, there are times when a drop in Bitcoin price leads to a surge in an altcoin price. The most reasonable explanation for this is that investors will usually pull their capital out of Bitcoin investments and simply channel it to a promising altcoin. This action leads to a fundamental increase in the particular altcoin. Additionally, a promising altcoin that receives market hype, is capable of experiencing a bull-run all on its own. Therefore, it isn’t entirely true that all altcoins depend on Bitcoin.
Why altcoins follow Bitcoin?
There are several reasons why altcoins follow Bitcoin in general. These reasons can be summarized as follows:
- Bitcoin Pioneered the Crypto Industry: Bitcoin is the cryptocurrency that put all other cryptocurrencies on the map. Additionally, despite debuting over a decade ago, Bitcoin has cemented itself as a safe store of value with astronomical levels of popularity. Anyone involved in the crypto industry most probably owns some worth of Bitcoin.
- Bitcoin has the Most Secure Network: Bitcoin utilizes the PoW (Proof-of-Work) consensus mechanism to secure its network. Despite receiving a lot of criticism over its intensive energy consumption, it’s one of the most secure protocols up-to-date. It ensures that the blockchain network remains secure and resistant to hacking.
- Bitcoin is Regarded as the Reserve Currency for Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin is comparable to the USD in the global stock market. If you check on a lot of exchange platforms, an altcoin price is usually measured in Bitcoin. This is because a majority of them don’t propose fiat-to-crypto trading thanks to regulatory and compliance measures. Therefore, most traders are first forced to buy altcoins using Bitcoin.
- The Majority of Altcoins Are Imitations/Clones: Thanks to Bitcoin’s soaring popularity, there has been an increase in the number of Bitcoin clones. For instance, Litecoin uses a copy of the original Bitcoin code to become a faster and lighter version. Others such as Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold, and Bitcoin Diamond have all done the same. Therefore, it’s completely understandable why their prices rise or drop in tandem with Bitcoin’s price.
Top 5 Altcoins Of 2024
Ethereum
- Market cap $246B
Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has been making waves in the trading world with its versatility and potential for growth. As an open-source blockchain platform, it allows for the creation of decentralized applications and smart contracts. With a current market cap of over $245 billion, Ethereum offers traders a wide range of opportunities to buy, sell, and trade.
Binance Coin
- Market cap $37.4B
Binance Coin (BNB) is a cryptocurrency created by the popular and reputable exchange platform, Binance. It is used as a utility token for discounted trading fees on the Binance platform, as well as in their decentralized exchange, Binance DEX. As of 2023, it has a market cap of over $37 billion USD and continues to be a top-performing coin in the market.
Ripple
- Market cap $35.3B
Ripple (XRP) is a digital currency that offers a real-time payment system for financial institutions and individuals. It is designed to be a fast, secure, and cost-effective way to transfer money globally. As of 2023, Ripple has a market cap of over $35 billion and is considered one of the top cryptocurrencies in the market.
Tron
- Market cap $9.4B
Tron (TRX) is a decentralized blockchain platform aiming to revolutionize the entertainment and media industry. It offers high scalability and low transaction fees, making it an attractive choice for developers and users alike. As of 2023, Tron has a market cap of over $9 billion, solidifying its position as one of the top cryptocurrencies in the market.
Cardano
- Market cap $12.9B
Cardano (ADA) is a cryptocurrency that was created with a focus on scalability, security, and sustainability. It utilizes a proof-of-stake consensus algorithm, making it more energy-efficient than other cryptocurrencies. With a market cap of over $12 billion, ADA is currently ranked as one of the top 10 cryptocurrencies in the market. Its advanced technology and partnerships with major companies make it an attractive choice for traders looking to invest in the future of blockchain technology.
Where to buy altcoins?
Altcoins are very popular nowadays with new ones appearing every day. Hence, the popular altcoins and even the new ones are listed on the altcoin exchanges.
What is altcoin exchange?
Altcoin exchange is any exchange platform that enables you to buy, sell, or trade any altcoin. Most frequently the altcoin exchanges have the popular alts like Verge, Ravencoin, Zilliqa, Solana, Cardano, Ripple, etc. However, since the new meme tokens create a lot of hype and traction when they just appear, altcoin exchanges tend to quickly list them as well.
What is the best altcoin exchange?
Swapzone is one of the best altcoin exchanges on the market. It is not a simple altcoin exchange, it is aimed to save your time and money by providing a list of the exchange rate offers from different altcoin exchange providers. You can browse by rate, speed of transaction, exchange rating to find the star deal out of myriads.
How to buy altcoins with Bitcoin on Swapzone?
If you are stuck on how to buy altcoins with Bitcoin or where to buy altcoins, don’t worry. Altcoins can be found on every major altcoin exchange in the market. Swapzone is no exception. Here is a detailed explanation on how to exchange altcoins to Bitcoin on Swapzone:
Step 1. Head on the official Swapzone website.
Step 2. On the homepage, you will see the “select pair” tab.
Step 3. Insert whatever altcoin you wish to exchange in the “send” section along with the amount you wish to swap out.
Step 4. In the “get up to” section, simply select BTC as the cryptocurrency you wish to receive.
Step 5. Swapzone will immediately offer you several conversion rate offers from a number of their exchange partners. You will notice that there is an option to filter out results. Take your time and figure out which offer you want.
Step 6. Select the offer you like and click on “exchange”.A new window will pop up requesting that you provide the necessary details to complete the swap.
Step 7. Once you’ve entered these details and want to continue, click on “proceed to exchange” to begin the transaction.
Step 8. The transaction will start. It may take a little while so be patient while the process runs.
Step 9. The exchange partner you selected will process your transaction and you will receive Bitcoins in your wallet. At this point, take a moment and rate the exchange partner.