Types of cryptocurrencies and their characteristics

Hi! I’m Sofía. Let’s talk about the existing types of cryptocurrencies and how they differ.

I’ve been working in Argentina’s crypto market for quite some time and, to sum it up: in 2026, the crypto world in this country looks very different from how most articles describe it.

So let’s make something clear from the start: I’m not going to repeat textbook definitions or what Wikipedia says. I’m going to explain how people in Argentina use cryptocurrencies in real life today, right here in 2026.

When I hear “types of cryptocurrencies,” I always ask myself: types for what use?

Because here, crypto stopped being an investment a long time ago. It became a tool to adapt to reality: to protect savings, convert to fiat quickly, or simply not depend on restrictions that change all the time.

That’s why the market ended up assigning very clear roles to different cryptocurrencies.

Let’s start with Bitcoin.
If you think that in Argentina it’s already actively used for payments… unfortunately, that’s still not the case. And that’s completely normal. Locally, Bitcoin is an investment and a way to preserve value, not a means for everyday spending. Many people keep in BTC a portion of their savings that they don’t want to hold in pesos, in banks, or tied to short-term solutions. And of course, everyone understands its volatility, but in the long run, for many, it still seems more reliable than the local currency.

Now let’s talk about what really drives the Argentine market: stablecoins. If you want to understand how crypto works in everyday life, just look at USDT or USDC. They’re “digital dollars” that are truly used every day to receive payments from abroad, keep funds between expenses, convert them into pesos or cash. For many Argentinians, in 2026, stablecoins are simply convenient money.

And what about Ethereum, Solana, and the rest of the altcoins?
They exist and are used, but it’s very important not to confuse interest within crypto communities with people’s real needs. In Argentina, altcoins are for those who already understand what crypto is and consciously look for broader opportunities. They’re not the first step, nor a mandatory stage. If someone tells you that you can’t start without them, then they’re not talking about reality, but about marketing. 

As for memecoins and all those viral stories on social media, I’m going to be as honest as possible. Yes, people talk about them and some even make money. But in real local life they don’t solve any financial problem. They’re not used for payments, you can’t really save in them, and they don’t help build stability. They’re more “noise” than a tool.

If we analyze all of this together, it becomes clear why the market looks this way. In a context of constant instability, people don’t look for complex financial products; they look for simple, clear, and controllable solutions. Bitcoin to preserve value. Stablecoins to work and live day to day. Exchange to convert digital money into cash at the moment you need it.

And here there’s a point I always emphasize: right now the main risks in Argentina are not related to cryptocurrencies themselves, but where and how you operate with them. People usually lose money not because of the exchange rate, but because of the infrastructure, such as non-transparent services, “trust-based” exchanges, or Telegram channels with no backing at all.

That’s why knowing what types of crypto exist is only the beginning. The most important thing is to understand how they fit into your reality and who you trust with your operations.

In the next articles I’m going to tell you how to put this into practice: where to start, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to pay attention to if you want crypto to work for you.