$BTC

Bitcoin (BTC) trading pairs are the backbone of cryptocurrency markets, serving as the primary benchmark for altcoin valuations. Common pairs like **BTC/USD** and **BTC/USDT** allow traders to measure Bitcoin's value against fiat and stablecoins, while **BTC/ETH** or **BTC/ALT** pairs enable direct crypto-to-crypto trading.

Key advantages of BTC pairs include:

- **High liquidity** for smoother trades

- **Lower spreads** reducing slippage

- **Market sentiment indicator** (BTC dominance affects altcoins)

Traders use BTC pairs for arbitrage, hedging, and portfolio diversification. However, Bitcoin's volatility impacts paired assets—when BTC drops, alts often follow. Understanding BTC pairs is essential for strategic crypto trading.