What’s the difference between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most well-known. It was designed as a decentralized digital currency for peer-to-peer transactions. Other cryptocurrencies, known as altcoins, were developed later and often serve different purposes, such as offering faster transactions (Litecoin), enabling smart contracts (Ethereum), or providing privacy features (Monero). Each cryptocurrency has its own unique technology and use case.