How to Buy AltCoin (ALT) Guide

Step 1: Determine the percentage of your crypto portfolio dedicated to altcoins

92% of blockchain projects have failed and had an average lifespan of 1.22 years. These are stark numbers. Altcoins are risky, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth investing in. It may be useful to divide your portfolio into risk layers, especially if you intend to speculate on uncommon or untried coins.

We strongly recommend you get a portfolio tracker to keep track of your coins.

Step 2: Research and find the best altcoin for you

There are many factors to consider when looking to purchase an altcoin. Do you want a reputable name? Should the altcoin be exclusively a cryptocurrency or can the altcoin live on a platform? This list can be endless, so look through the top altcoins, read up on different altcoin traits that appeal to you, and select a crypto.

A few important points to consider before committing:

Is the official website still working and is the subreddit of the altcoin alive?

Is there enough volume on at least one exchange to justify the purchase?

Is the altcoin supported by the wallet you have or will you need a new cryptocurrency wallet?

Step 3: Fiat money to digital money (or buy BTC)

Most altcoins can’t be purchased with USD. That means you’ll want to purchase Bitcoins and swap those for your preferred altcoin on the right exchange.

Some exchanges let you purchase BTC with a credit card directly on the exchange. This is an easy way to get started. It’s good to have a BTC wallet and a separate wallet for your altcoins (which we’ll cover later).

Make sure to check out our Coinbase alternatives articles where we review 7 different cryptocurrency exchanges.

Step 4: Find the currency pair

After completing registration, you’ll want to move some of your BTC to the exchange. Remember, you’re trading in currency pairs, so the BTC will be exchanged for your altcoin.

Make sure to look at the currency pair and how it has traded over the past week or month. Crypto markets are far from perfect, so there may be an optimal time to make the trade.

Step 5: Trade BTC for your chosen altcoin

When you are ready to make the trade, you’ll go to the exchange and place an order for your altcoin. If this is your first time on an exchange take some time to understand how to how orders work. Here’s a video of a trader talking about NEO, forecasting the market, examining the BTC-NEO pair, and creating an order.

Step 6: Move the altcoins into a wallet

After the purchase is complete your precious altcoins will live on the exchange. If you are buying to hold, it is now time to move the cryptos off the exchange and into a wallet.

Crypto wallets are safe and come in two types. Hot wallets are those that are connected to the internet, and live on the internet, on your desktop, or on your mobile. Cold wallets are wallets that aren’t connected to the internet and include hardware wallets and paper. If you want maximum protection, buy a new hardware wallet.

Step 7: Dream of Lambos

Congratulations, you’ve successfully speculated on the future of money. Hopefully, your digital asset appreciates, and you become fantastically rich. Don’t forget about us when you do.

Whichever altcoin you decide to buy, make sure to track it via Crypto Pro — the most private crypto portfolio tracker.