An altcoin trader is a person who buys and sells altcoins, meaning cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, usually over short or medium time frames. Altcoins tend to move more sharply than Bitcoin in both directions, which attracts traders looking for quick gains. Many altcoin traders track Bitcoin dominance, token unlock schedules, exchange listings and social media sentiment, and some trade pairs priced in Bitcoin rather than dollars. The risks are high: small coins can have thin markets, wide spreads and heavy slippage, and some are targets of pump-and-dump schemes or rug pulls. Trading altcoins on a decentralized exchange adds smart contract risk. The term describes an activity, not a licence or job title.