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Cryptocurrencies are commonly grouped into a few broad categories. Bitcoin stands on its own as the first and largest. Altcoins are all other coins, including platform coins like Ethereum. Stablecoins aim to hold a steady value by tracking an asset such as the US dollar. Tokens are built on existing blockchains for specific uses. Categories often overlap, and each carries different risk levels.

A coin has its own dedicated blockchain, such as Bitcoin on the Bitcoin network or Ether on Ethereum, and typically acts as digital money. A token is created on top of an existing blockchain rather than having its own, and can represent many things, from utility within an app to a stake in a project. In short, coins run their own networks; tokens borrow another’s.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to keep a steady value by pegging to an external asset, most often a fiat currency like the US dollar. They aim to reduce the sharp volatility seen in other crypto, making them useful for trading and transfers. However, their stability depends on how they are backed and managed, and some stablecoins have lost their peg, so they are not risk-free.

Altcoin means any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin. The term covers a huge range of projects, from established platforms like Ethereum to thousands of smaller, highly speculative coins. Altcoins differ in technology, purpose, and track record. Many are far more volatile and less liquid than Bitcoin, and some fail entirely, so they generally carry higher risk for anyone following their prices.

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and is designed mainly as digital money and a store of value, with a capped supply. Other cryptocurrencies often add different features, such as Ethereum’s smart contracts or stablecoins’ price stability. Bitcoin is generally the largest and most recognized, while altcoins vary widely in purpose and reliability. All of them, including Bitcoin, remain volatile and speculative.

Different cryptocurrencies have different liquidity, volatility and market behaviour. If you only want price exposure, a crypto CFD may be available through a CFD broker without owning coins. Check the instrument’s spread, trading hours, margin requirements and financing costs; CFDs can result in rapid losses.