$BTC
While Bitcoin paved the way for digital currencies, it was merely the first chapter in a rapidly expanding story. The success and groundbreaking technology behind Bitcoin sparked a revolution, leading to the creation of thousands of other crypto currencies, collectively known as "alt coins." These alternatives aim to build upon Bitcoin's foundation, addressing its limitations, introducing new functionalities, and catering to diverse use cases.
One of the most significant advancements came with Ethereum, launched in 2015. Ethereum introduced the concept of "smart contracts" – self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. This innovation allowed developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) directly on the Ethereum blockchain, giving rise to entire ecosystems for decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and more. Ethereum's programmable blockchain transformed cryptocurrency from just digital money into a platform for a new internet.