Many traders and investors believe that Bitcoin is the only crypto asset worth trading — that all other coins are too risky, illiquid, or irrelevant. While Bitcoin is the most established and liquid cryptocurrency, the idea that it’s the only one worth trading is a myth. In reality, the crypto market offers a wide range of assets with unique volatility profiles, technical behaviour, and opportunities — many of which outperform Bitcoin during certain cycles.

This article breaks down why Bitcoin deserves attention — but not exclusivity — and how smart traders capitalise on altcoin opportunities alongside BTC.

Why the myth exists

1. Bitcoin is the original and most dominant asset
BTC has first-mover advantage, brand recognition, and the largest market cap. For many, it’s synonymous with crypto itself.

2. Bitcoin is the most liquid and widely traded
Exchanges, institutions, and payment platforms almost always start with BTC. Its deep order books and tight spreads make it a natural choice.

3. Altcoin crashes and scams
Thousands of low-quality altcoins have gone to zero. This breeds mistrust and gives the impression that BTC is the only “safe” trade.

4. Institutional focus
Most major institutions (e.g. BlackRock, Fidelity) have only adopted Bitcoin so far — reinforcing the narrative that it’s the only serious asset in crypto.

5. Simpler narrative and macro relevance
Bitcoin is often linked to big themes: inflation hedging, digital gold, decentralisation. Altcoins are seen as more complex or niche.

Why other assets are worth trading too

1. Altcoins offer higher volatility and profit potential

• Coins like Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche frequently move 2–3x more than BTC in percentage terms.
• This volatility is tradable — ideal for swing trades, trend plays, and momentum scalps.

2. Altcoins follow distinct market cycles

• During bull markets, altcoins often outperform BTC (called “altseason”).
• ETH/BTC or SOL/BTC pairs often signal capital rotation within crypto — offering powerful relative trades.

3. Unique narratives drive price action

• Layer 1s, DeFi, AI tokens, and gaming coins respond to different catalysts.
• Traders can position around protocol upgrades, airdrops, ecosystem growth, and token burns — not just macro sentiment.

4. Technicals work well on many altcoins

• Coins like ETH, BNB, XRP, and LTC often respect trendlines, key levels, and classic patterns — offering reliable setups with good liquidity.

5. Correlation breaks = opportunity

• When BTC is consolidating, many alts still trend.
• Some alts surge on project-specific news, giving traders opportunities even when BTC is flat.

Best non-Bitcoin assets to trade

Asset	Why It’s Tradeable
Ethereum (ETH)	Deep liquidity, solid fundamentals, DeFi/NFT exposure
Solana (SOL)	High momentum, strong ecosystem, clear narrative cycles
BNB	Centralised but technically reliable, trades well
MATIC	Technical patterns + L2 story
XRP	Responds to legal news + breakout potential
AVAX, OP, ARB	Layer 1 & Layer 2 narratives with volatility for short-term plays

When Bitcoin might be the better trade

• During macro uncertainty or high fear (BTC often holds up better)
• When volatility is low and capital consolidates around majors
• For position trades aligned with inflation or institutional flows
• If your goal is long-term exposure rather than active trading

Altcoin trading tips

• Focus on top 20–30 by market cap for liquidity and stability
• Use BTC/ETH dominance charts to time rotations
• Avoid illiquid or low-volume pairs — they widen spreads and increase slippage
• Always manage risk — alts move fast and often retrace deeply
• Stay updated on narratives — coins move on ecosystems, not just price

Conclusion

Bitcoin is a cornerstone of crypto — but it’s not the only asset worth trading. In fact, traders who ignore altcoins often miss explosive moves, unique volatility patterns, and shorter cycle opportunities. The key is knowing when to trade BTC — and when to rotate into altcoins that align with momentum, news flow, or technical setups.

To master trading across the full crypto market — from Bitcoin to altcoins — enrol in our Trading Courses at Traders MBA, where we teach traders how to find edge in every corner of the blockchain economy.