Litecoin is the native LTC currency of an independent payment blockchain, not a token issued on Ethereum. It uses Scrypt proof of work and a Bitcoin-derived transaction model, with optional Mimblewimble Extension Blocks, or MWEB, for confidential transfers.
Litecoin
(LTC)
Litecoin is the native LTC currency of an independent payment blockchain, not a token issued on Ethereum. It uses Scrypt proof of work and a Bitcoin-derived transaction model, with optional Mimblewimble Extension Blocks, or MWEB, for confidential transfers.
Source: CoinGecko
Fetching market data...
Market data, not an exchange order quote. Quotes older than five minutes are hidden.
→ How to Buy LitecoinWhat is Litecoin?
20 answers source-reviewed with Codex assistance. Reviewed . This review covers the answers, not exchange listings or the rest of the page.
How does Litecoin work?
Litecoin spends previously received transaction outputs and creates new outputs for recipients and change. Scrypt miners compete to add blocks, while nodes enforce transaction and issuance rules. MWEB adds an optional extension-block path rather than replacing ordinary transparent LTC payments.
Who created Litecoin?
Charlie Lee created Litecoin in 2011, using Bitcoin's open-source design as a starting point. Its different mining algorithm and issuance parameters distinguish it from Bitcoin. Today's network depends on independent developers, node operators and miners, not a founder approving each payment.
Source 1
What is Litecoin used for?
LTC is used for peer-to-peer transfers and payments where a recipient actually accepts Litecoin. Users can also choose MWEB-capable wallets for optional confidential transfers. Payment functionality does not make LTC a stable currency or guarantee a merchant will support a particular address type.
Where can you buy Litecoin?
Check a platform's official website for current LTC trading, your country eligibility and Litecoin withdrawal support. Do not assume a listing includes MWEB deposits or withdrawals: that requires separate wallet and service support. A wrapped LTC token is also not automatically native Litecoin.
Litecoin exchange reference guides
Before you buyNo unexpired public-catalogue observation is available in this saved guide. This is not a delisting claim or proof that earlier observations were incorrect. Confirm the exact asset, trading access and withdrawal network through the provider before buying. All exchange checklists remain available at the end of this guide.
How to buy Litecoin
Plan your purchaseHow much Litecoin?
How can you buy Litecoin safely?
Verify the platform, fees and exact LTC withdrawal network before buying, then test the receiving route with a small amount. Check MWEB support separately if using that feature. Litecoin's documented 2026 MWEB incident also makes current wallet and node security updates relevant.
Can you buy a fraction of Litecoin?
Yes. One LTC divides into 100 million base units, so buying a whole coin is unnecessary. A platform can impose its own order minimum, withdrawal minimum and display precision; those business limits are different from Litecoin's underlying eight-decimal denomination.
How much does it cost to buy Litecoin?
Your LTC purchase cost includes the executed coin price, spread and platform charges, with withdrawal fees added if you move it off-platform. A Litecoin network fee pays for a transaction, not the purchase itself. MWEB support and withdrawal pricing must be checked separately.
How much is one Litecoin worth?
Litecoin and Bitcoin are separate networks and currencies. A lower dollar quote for LTC is not a discount on BTC, and multiplying a BTC price by a guessed conversion ratio does not establish Litecoin's value. Use an up-to-date LTC market observation, if available, and inspect the quantity in the trading provider's offer. Litecoin's mining rules describe issuance, not a guaranteed future exchange rate against bitcoin or dollars.
Is Litecoin a good investment?
LTC can lose substantial value, and payment use does not establish suitability for your finances. Mining competition, liquidity and implementation failures matter; Litecoin's 2026 MWEB postmortem documents a real validation incident and remediation. This is not financial advice.
Compare two order previews
Use LTC credited after buying fees and spread. Extra USD charges must exclude fees already included in the total. Enter 0 only when confirmed.
Preview A
Preview B
Enter your order-preview numbers or use the labeled example. Unknown charges are never treated as zero.
Litecoin wallets & storage
How do you get a Litecoin wallet?
Choose a wallet that explicitly supports native Litecoin and obtain it from its official publisher. Back up its recovery material privately and test receiving LTC. If you intend to use MWEB, confirm that the particular wallet and receiving service support it before funding that route.
How can you store Litecoin securely?
Keep Litecoin recovery material offline and verify the recipient on your signing device before sending. Use supported, updated software, especially for MWEB: the project's 2026 postmortem describes security fixes after an exploit. A hardware wallet helps protect keys but cannot make a mistaken transfer safe.
Sending & cashing out Litecoin
Match your networks
For LTC, copy the exact network names shown in your apps. This compares your entries, not a verified list of supported networks.
Copy the exact network name shown for this asset in each app. No supported-network catalogue is assumed here.
How do you send Litecoin to another wallet?
Select Litecoin mainnet, paste the recipient's compatible LTC address and review the amount and fee before signing. Do not send to a Bitcoin address just because the systems share design ancestry. For MWEB, verify support at both ends and make a test transfer first.
How long does a Litecoin transfer take?
A Litecoin transfer must be included by miners, and a receiving service may require further confirmations before crediting it. Block intervals are targets, not delivery promises. Network conditions, the transaction fee and service review can all change the time before funds are usable.
Source 1
How much does it cost to send Litecoin?
The sender pays a network fee in LTC, with wallet estimates reflecting the transaction and current relay or mining conditions. It is not a guaranteed flat charge. A trading platform's withdrawal fee is separate, and MWEB or other routes may have different service restrictions.
Can you cash out Litecoin for real money?
You may be able to sell LTC for fiat through a platform that supports your location and payout method. Confirm Litecoin deposit support, required confirmations and any MWEB restrictions before sending. Sale execution, bank withdrawal charges and account review are separate from blockchain settlement.
Is Litecoin traceable?
Ordinary Litecoin transactions expose addresses and amounts on a public ledger. MWEB can conceal amounts and weaken transaction links, but it is optional and does not guarantee complete anonymity. Entry and exit activity and information held by payment services can still reveal useful connections.
Supply, mining & staking
What is the maximum supply of Litecoin?
Litecoin's scheduled issuance limit is 84 million LTC, with mining rewards reduced through halvings. That limit is not the currently circulating supply or a price guarantee. The 2026 MWEB postmortem separately describes an accounting exploit and recovery, not a planned increase in scheduled issuance.
Can you mine Litecoin?
Yes. Litecoin uses Scrypt proof-of-work mining, now typically involving specialized hardware and often merged mining with Dogecoin. Electricity, equipment, pool charges and competition determine costs. Receiving an LTC payout from a service does not necessarily mean your hardware is mining Litecoin itself.
Source 1
Can you stake Litecoin?
Litecoin has no native proof-of-stake reward mechanism: miners secure its base chain. Products advertising LTC interest or staking therefore involve another service or protocol. Their custody, lending, contract and withdrawal risks are separate from simply holding native LTC in your own wallet.