[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Litecoin (LTC) has set a record of operating without a single stoppage for 15 years since the launch of its genesis block.

U.Today, a blockchain media outlet, reported on Oct. 7 that Jack Pandl, head of research at Grayscale, said mentions of Litecoin rose unusually this week and described the asset as the "original altcoin."

The milestone is drawing attention beyond an anniversary, as it highlights both Litecoin's network durability and the potential expansion of institutional investment products. The Litecoin blockchain has operated without interruption or shutdown since it began running in 2011. On-chain data as of Oct. 7 showed about 156,000 transactions processed daily. The size of the MWEB pool, a privacy feature, exceeded 563,000 LTC, marking a record high.

It has also maintained cost competitiveness. Average transaction fees are about $0.003, and it has been assessed as several times more efficient than bitcoin for everyday payments. The hashrate, a network security indicator, was tallied at 2,671.43 TH/s, and active addresses at 9.1 million.

The market is focusing on whether Litecoin can expand from a symbol of early cryptocurrencies into a regulated investment product on the back of its 15th anniversary. Pandl pointed to the increased interest in Litecoin and called it the "original altcoin." The comment reflects a perception that, while Litecoin emerged in the early market, its fundamental value has been maintained.

Grayscale's commercial moves are also intertwined. Grayscale does not directly participate in blockchain development, but it runs the Grayscale Litecoin Trust LTCN, the largest investment product based on Litecoin. The trust has net assets of $97,560,938 and 24.25 million shares outstanding.

In September, Grayscale submitted an amended filing to regulators to convert the trust into a spot ETF listed on NYSE Arca. Whether the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approves it has not yet been decided. Even as a small fund by Canary Capital is already trading, the Grayscale product remains a key channel linked to institutional investors.

With the 15th anniversary, Litecoin is being re-evaluated not as a relic of the early cryptocurrency era but as an investment vehicle that meets regulatory requirements. If a New York Stock Exchange listing becomes a reality, Litecoin's position in the market could be reshaped as an asset combining a stable network with institutional access.