Litecoin (LTC) is an open-source proof-of-work cryptocurrency launched in 2011. It uses Scrypt mining, targets a 2.5-minute block interval, and has a programmed maximum supply of 84 million LTC; optional MimbleWimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) add confidentiality without making ordinary Litecoin transactions private.
Market Data
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | LTC |
| Price | $56.88 |
| Market Cap | $4.424B |
| 24h Change | -4.4% |
| Circulating Supply | 78M LTC |
| Total Supply | 78M LTC |
| Max Supply | 84M LTC |
| All-Time High | $410.26 |
CoinGecko price, market capitalization, and 24-hour change update dynamically. Supply and all-time-high values are the snapshot checked 2026-10-24 at 07:27 UTC; supply figures are rounded. Informational only, not investment advice.
In-Depth Explanation
Litecoin shares some design ideas with Bitcoin but uses different mining parameters and a faster target block interval. These choices affect issuance and confirmation timing; they do not guarantee a market price or make each payment final after one block.
Network design
Litecoin uses Scrypt for proof-of-work. It targets a new block about every 2.5 minutes, compared with Bitcoin’s roughly 10 minutes. Scrypt was initially chosen partly to make mining more memory-intensive, but specialized Scrypt ASICs were later developed; Litecoin mining is not ASIC-resistant today.
Optional MWEB. Litecoin activated MimbleWimble Extension Blocks as a soft fork in May 2022. Users can continue making transparent main-chain transactions or use extension blocks for added confidentiality, including obscuring transaction amounts. Wallet and service support matters; this feature does not make all Litecoin activity private.
Network function. Litecoin is a public blockchain secured by miners. Blocks include transactions, and miners receive a block subsidy and transaction fees. More frequent blocks do not mean one LTC confirmation provides the same security as one Bitcoin confirmation.
History
- October 7, 2011 — Litecoin launched as an open-source Bitcoin Core fork created by Charlie Lee.
- May 2017 — Litecoin activated Segregated Witness before Bitcoin’s activation later that year.
- August 2023 — The third halving reduced the block reward from 12.5 LTC to 6.25 LTC.
- Projected late July 2027 — Litecoin’s official retrospective expects the next halving to reduce the subsidy to 3.125 LTC per block.
Tokenomics
Litecoin’s maximum supply is 84 million LTC. New coins enter circulation through proof-of-work block rewards; the subsidy halves every 840,000 blocks, roughly every four years. The current reward is 6.25 LTC per block. A Grayscale filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission expected the next reduction to 3.125 LTC around July 2027. Miners also collect transaction fees. Litecoin has no scheduled token unlock or venture allocation like many newer projects; its issuance schedule is encoded in the protocol. CoinGecko’s market and supply figures above are a dated snapshot and change over time.
Practical Application
Litecoin is often compared with Bitcoin as a payment-oriented proof-of-work network. A careful comparison separates block interval, mining algorithm, supply schedule, fee market, wallet support, and optional MWEB use. More frequent blocks can speed up an initial confirmation, but merchants may still wait for additional confirmations based on risk.
Related Terms
See Also
- What Happens to Bitcoin When All 21 Million Are Mined? — Explains how Bitcoin issuance changes when rewards end.
- Bitcoin as Collateral: Bank Loans, Mortgages, and DeFi Explained — Compares how digital assets are used as collateral.
- How the 2024 Bitcoin ETF Changed Crypto: Institutional Adoption, Inflows, and the Market Shift — Covers another route to crypto market exposure.
- Explore ChangeNOW — Optional swap service; check the provider’s current terms.
Sources
- Litecoin’s official 15-year retrospective — Gives launch history and the projected 2027 halving and reward reduction.
- Litecoin Learning Center mining guide — Describes block production about every 2.5 minutes and long-run issuance.
- Litecoin Foundation’s MWEB activation announcement — Confirms the May 2022 soft-fork activation and explains MWEB is optional.
- Grayscale Litecoin Trust filing with the SEC — Reports the current 6.25 LTC subsidy and expected 3.125 LTC subsidy after the next 840,000-block interval.
- CoinGecko’s Litecoin market page — Provides the dated market, supply, and all-time-high snapshot above.