Beginner's guide

What is an altcoin and a memecoin

Altcoin is the name for any cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin, such as Ethereum and Solana. A memecoin is a type of altcoin that comes from a joke or an internet community, such as Dogecoin. The difference is in the purpose and the risk.

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Altcoins and memecoins represented by Ethereum and Dogecoin coins
Concept

In one sentence

After Bitcoin, thousands of other cryptocurrencies emerged. All of these others are called altcoins, meaning alternative coins to Bitcoin.

Within this group, there’s a crowd that was born from jokes and internet memes: memecoins. They often live off community and hype, which is why they’re riskier.

What is an altcoin?

Any cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin. Most have a function or a project behind them.


Ethereum

The largest altcoin. It is a platform for apps and smart contracts.

Solana

Known for being fast and cheap for transactions, widely used in apps and games.

XRP

Focused on faster international payments and transfers between institutions.

A universe beyond Bitcoin

There are many coins, with very different purposes and risk levels among them.

ThousandsAltcoins have already been created, each with its own purpose.
2013Year Dogecoin, the most famous memecoin, emerged.
HighVolatility: memecoins can rise and fall very quickly.

What is a memecoin?

An altcoin that comes from internet culture, not from new technology.


Origin

Born from a joke, a meme, or a character, like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.

What drives the price

Community, social networks, and hype matter more than the technology behind it.

Risk

They are very volatile. They can surge and crash in a short time, so they require caution.

Comparison

Altcoin or memecoin: what's the difference?

Altcoin. Any crypto that is not Bitcoin, usually with a technical function.

Memecoin. An altcoin born from a meme that lives off community and hype.

Every memecoin is an altcoin. But not every altcoin is a memecoin.

Both fluctuate. But memecoins tend to be much riskier.

Altcoins at Brasil Bitcoin

At Brasil Bitcoin you’ll find the main altcoins in a single account, with our own infrastructure and under Brazilian regulation.

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Main cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the main altcoins in the same app.

Custody and security

Proprietary infrastructure and operations within Brazilian regulation.

Reference in Latin America

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How to buy safely

At Brasil Bitcoin, from sign-up to first purchase in just a few steps.

1

Open your account

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2

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3

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Buy whatever fraction you want.

4

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Frequently asked questions

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