Share this article

CoinDesk Guide to the World's National Altcoins

All you need to know about national cryptocurrencies – a new trend in altcoin development.

Updated Sep 11, 2021, 10:35 a.m. Published Mar 28, 2014, 3:33 p.m.
High-tech world

Maplecoin Even Canada, the country whose fiat currency is desired by a majority of Iceland's population, has its own cryptocurrency. Using a version of Scrypt "specifically designed to mimic the value curve and rarity of precious metal commodities", Maplecoin will have absolutely no premine and reflects its country's fortune-seeking and pioneering history with this "klondike-style" distribution.

Irishcoin

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters

Sorry Spain, you're not the only country with two after all! Gaelcoin has a competitor in Irishcoin, with a rollout planned for "early April", but that's about all we know at this stage.

In other news, New Zealand's favorite adopted son Kim Dotcom has announced he's launching a local Internet Party, and has plans for a national cryptocurrency (yet to be named).

World image via Shutterstock

More For You

KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

16:9 Image

KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

What to know:

  • KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
  • This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
  • Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
  • Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
  • Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.

More For You

Here’s why bitcoin’s is failing its role as a 'safe haven' versus gold

Here’s why bitcoin’s is failing its role as a 'safe haven'

Bitcoin behaves more like an "ATM" during uncertain times, with investors quickly selling it to raise cash.

What to know:

  • During recent geopolitical tensions, Bitcoin lost 6.6% of its value, while gold rose 8.6%, demonstrating bitcoin's vulnerability in times of market stress.
  • Bitcoin behaves more like an "ATM" during uncertain times, with investors quickly selling it to raise cash, contrary to its reputation as a stable digital asset.
  • Gold remains the preferred hedge for short-term risks, while bitcoin is better suited for long-term monetary and geopolitical uncertainties that unfold over years.