Crypto Glossary

51% Attack

Also known as a majority attack. When one or a group of miners control greater than 50% of...

Address

Your crypto “wallet address.” It’s a long string of letters and numbers where others can s...

Airdrop

Free crypto sent to your wallet as a reward for showing up early or interacting with a pro...

All-Time High (ATH) / All-Time Low (ATL)

The highest (ATH) or lowest (ATL) price an asset has ever reached. If you’re buying, you w...

Altcoins

The short for "alternative coins," these are any cryptocurrencies that aren’t Bitcoin. The...

Altseason

A market phase where Bitcoin's dominance wanes, and alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins...

ARB (Arbitrum Token)

The native governance token of the Arbitrum network. ARB gives holders the power to vote o...

Arbitrum

A Layer 2 solution for Ethereum that makes transactions faster and cheaper. Runs off-chain...

Automated Market Maker (AMM)

A system that lets you swap tokens on a DEX without needing a buyer or seller on the other...

Avalanche

A high-speed Layer 1 blockchain with subnets and low fees. Known for its fast finality and...

AVAX (Avalanche Token)

The native token of the Avalanche network. AVAX is used to pay for transaction fees, secur...

Base Layer (Layer 1)

The foundation of a blockchain ecosystem. For example Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana are all La...

Bear Market

The flip side of a bull run. Prices tank, hype vanishes, and crypto Twitter goes dead sile...

Binance

The biggest centralized exchange in crypto, and a one-stop shop for trading, staking, farm...

Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin is the first decentralized digital currency. This pioneering cryptocurrency, launc...

Block

A Block can be defined as a batch of transactions that gets added to the blockchain...

Blockchain

A Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that records transactions transparently and...

BNB (Binance Coin)

BNB started as a discount token for Binance trading fees. Now it powers BNB Chain, pays fo...

Bridge

Tech that lets you move tokens or data between blockchains. Super useful. Super risky if t...

Bull Market

A period when crypto prices are consistently rising, vibes are high, and everyone suddenly...

Centralized Exchange (CEX)

A crypto trading platform operated by a company. Users entrust their assets to the exchang...

Chainlink

Chainlink is the middleman that crypto actually needs. It’s a decentralized oracle network...

Cold Storage

Storing your crypto entirely offline, away from internet threats. Typically involves hardw...

Consensus Algorithm

The rules that decide how a blockchain agrees on what’s true. Whether it’s Proof-of-Work o...

CRO (Cronos Token)

The fuel for Cronos and the key to unlocking perks across Crypto.com. You’ll use it to pay...

Cronos

Cronos is a Layer 1 blockchain designed to plug Crypto.com’s massive user base into DeFi, ...

Cross-Chain Bridges

The Cross-Chain Bridges are the technology that connects different blockchains and lets yo...

Cross-Chain Communication

Tech that allows blockchains to talk to each other. Crucial for multichain DeFi and making...

Crypto ETFs

Crypto Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) that track crypto prices without you needing to actual...

Cryptocurrency (Crypto)

A digital asset powered by cryptography and built on blockchain technology. It was designe...

Cryptography

The science of securing information using math and code. Without it, blockchains wouldn’t ...

Custodial Wallet

A crypto wallet managed by a third party, usually an exchange. You don’t hold the private ...

Custody

Refers to who holds and controls your crypto. If your assets sit on an exchange or with a ...

DAO Governance

The way decisions are made inside a DAO, usually by token holders voting on proposals. It’...

Decentralization

In crypto, decentralization means power is spread across a network instead of being held ...

Decentralized Application (DApp)

Apps that run on blockchain instead of centralized servers. You connect with your wallet, ...

Decentralized Exchange (DEX)

A crypto marketplace where you trade directly from your wallet. No signups, no middlemen, ...

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

A blockchain-based alternative to traditional finance. Instead of banks and brokers, DeFi ...

Decryption

The process of turning encrypted gibberish back into readable info. You need the right key...

Decryption Key

A private key that unlocks encrypted data. Lose it, and your info stays locked forever. Pr...

DeFi 2.0

The next wave of decentralized finance projects that are focused on sustainability, better...

Delisting

When a crypto asset is removed from an exchange. Could be due to low volume, sketchy behav...

Derivatives

Financial contracts based on the value of another asset. Futures, options, perpetuals. You...

DEX Aggregator

A tool that scans multiple DEXs to find you the best trade price. Saves gas, time, and mon...

Digital Signature

A cryptographic seal that proves a transaction was signed by the rightful wallet owner. Th...

Digital Wallet

A software application or physical device that stores your crypto and allows you to send, ...

Do Your Own Research (DYOR)

The golden rule of crypto. Don’t blindly follow hype. Read, dig, question everything befor...

DOGE (Dogecoin Token)

The native token of the Dogecoin network. A coin that’s easy to send, easy to use, and har...

Dogecoin

The original meme coin. Dogecoin launched in 2013 as a joke, but the internet had other pl...

DOT (Polkadot Token)

The token that powers the Polkadot ecosystem. You use DOT to stake, vote on upgrades, and ...

Double Spending

One of crypto’s biggest red flags. It happens when someone tries to use the same coin in t...

EIP (Ethereum Improvement Proposal)

A formal doc proposing changes or upgrades to Ethereum. If something on the network change...

Encryption

Turning data into unreadable code so only people with the right key can see it. It's how w...

ERC Standards (Ethereum Request for Comment)

Technical guidelines for how tokens work on Ethereum. If you're launching a token, it need...

ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund)

A type of investment fund you can buy and sell like a stock. It bundles together multiple ...

ETH (Ethereum Token)

The native currency of the Ethereum network. ETH is used to pay for gas (transaction fees)...

Ethereum

The second-largest blockchain after Bitcoin, but built for much more than just payments. L...

Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)

The engine that runs Ethereum’s smart contracts. It processes all the code on the network,...

Exchange

Where you buy, sell, and trade crypto. Can be centralized (CEX) or decentralized (DEX). On...

Exit Scam

When a project raises funds and then vanishes, taking your money with it. Looks promising ...

Exponential Moving Average (EMA)

A trading tool that smooths out price data by giving more weight to recent movements. Trad...

Externally Owned Account (EOA)

The most common type of Ethereum wallet, controlled by a private key. It’s not a smart con...

Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO)

FOMO is that itchy, anxious feeling when you see everyone else getting rich and you're sti...

Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD)

Negativity (real or fake) designed to shake people out of their positions. Happens when in...

Finality

The point when a transaction is locked in and can’t be changed. In crypto, finality means ...

Fork

When a blockchain splits into two paths. Hard fork: Permanent divergence, like Bitcoin ...

Fungibility

If one unit of something is exactly the same as another, it's fungible. Dollars? Fungible....

Fungible Token

A token where each unit is identical, like USDC or BTC. Unlike NFTs, Fungible Tokens are i...

GameFi

Where gaming meets decentralized finance. Players can earn crypto or NFTs by playing, leve...

Gas

The fee you pay to make things happen on a blockchain, like sending crypto, minting an NFT...

Gas Fees

The cost of doing anything on a blockchain, like sending crypto, minting NFTs or interacti...

Gas Limit

The max amount of gas you’re willing to spend on a transaction. Set it too low, and your t...

Gasless Transaction

A type of blockchain transaction where the user doesn’t pay the gas fee themselves. Instea...

Genesis Block

Block #0. The very first block in a blockchain, created by its founder(s). For Bitcoin, th...

Governance Token

Tokens that give holders a say in project decisions, like voting on upgrades or treasury s...

Halving

When a blockchain (like Bitcoin) cuts the rewards for miners in half. Happens every few ye...

Hard Cap

The absolute max amount a project plans to raise in a token sale. Once it’s hit, no more t...

Hardware Wallet

A physical device that stores your private keys offline, keeping them out of reach from mo...

Hash Rate

How fast your machine, or an entire network is at solving cryptographic puzzles. Higher ha...

HODL

A legendary typo-turned-mantra. Originally meant “hold” during a crash, now it means stick...

ICO (Initial Coin Offering)

The crypto version of an IPO. A project sells tokens to raise funds before it fully launch...

Immutable

Once something is recorded on the blockchain, it can’t be changed. No edits, no erasing. T...

Immutable Ledger

A record of data that can’t be changed. Once it’s on the blockchain, it’s there forever. N...

Institutional Investor

A company or organization that invests large amounts of money on behalf of clients, pensio...

Interoperability

Blockchains that play nice with each other. You can move assets or data between networks. ...

KYC (Know Your Customer)

A mandatory process where financial platforms verify your identity by collecting personal ...

KYT (Know Your Transaction)

An extension of KYC. Instead of verifying the person, KYT focuses on monitoring transactio...

Layer 0

The base layer beneath Layer 1 blockchains. It connects multiple Layer 1s and allows for c...

Layer 1 (L1)

The base layer of a blockchain, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc. It handles transac...

Layer 2 (L2)

A network built on top of Layer 1 to handle transactions faster and cheaper. Think Polygon...

LINK (Chainlink Token)

The native token of the Chainlink network. LINK is used to pay node operators for deliveri...

Litecoin (LTC)

Bitcoin’s faster, cheaper cousin, and one of the oldest coins. Litecoin was built to fix B...

Long Position

Betting that an asset’s price will go up. You “go long” when you expect green candles ahea...

LTC (Litecoin Token)

The native currency of the Litecoin network. It’s used to send payments quickly and with l...

Mainnet

The real deal. A fully launched, live version of a blockchain where actual transactions ha...

Market Cap

The total value of a crypto project, calculated by multiplying the current price by the ci...

MATIC (Polygon Token)

The token that fuels the Polygon network. You use it to pay for transactions, stake for se...

Max Supply

The absolute most tokens a crypto project will ever issue. Bitcoin’s max supply is 21 mill...

Mempool

Where pending transactions chill before they get confirmed and added to a block. If gas is...

Metaverse

A virtual world where you can work, play, trade, or flex NFTs, all on-chain. Some say it’s...

Mining

Using computer power to secure a Proof-of-Work blockchain and earn rewards. It’s how Bitco...

Minting

Creating new tokens or NFTs and adding them to the blockchain. Could be a fresh supply or ...

Mobile Wallet

A crypto wallet app that lives on your phone, giving you fast, flexible access to your ass...

Multisig Wallet

A crypto wallet that requires multiple private keys to approve a transaction. It’s a smart...

Native Token

The main token of a blockchain, like ETH for Ethereum or SOL for Solana. It’s used to pay ...

Node

A computer that connects to a blockchain network. Some nodes just receive data, others val...

Non-Custodial Wallet

Non-custodial means you control your crypto. Not a bank, exchange, or third-party gatekeep...

Non-Fungible Token (NFT)

A Non-Fungible Token is a digital item that’s one-of-a-kind and provably owned, like art, ...

Nonce

Short for “number used once.” In mining, it’s the number miners tweak to try and find a va...

Not Your Keys, Not Your Coins

A core crypto truth. If you don’t hold the private keys to your crypto wallet, you don’t t...

Off-Chain

Anything that happens outside of the blockchain. Could be price data, user verification, o...

On-Chain

The opposite of off-chain. If it’s recorded on the blockchain, it’s transparent, verifiabl...

OpenSea

The biggest NFT marketplace out there (for now). You can mint, buy, or sell NFTs across ch...

Oracle

A service that brings off-chain data (like prices, weather, or sports scores) into a block...

Order Book

A real-time list of buy and sell orders on an exchange. It shows who’s willing to pay what...

Paper Wallet

A physical piece of paper with your wallet’s private and public keys printed on it. Super ...

Peer-to-Peer (P2P)

Free crypto sent to your wallet as a reward for showing up early or interacting with a pro...

Pegged Currency

A token whose value is tied to another asset, usually a fiat currency like the US dollar (...

Phishing

A scam where bad actors try to trick you into giving up your private keys or seed phrase. ...

Play-to-Earn (P2E)

A gaming model where players can earn crypto or NFTs through gameplay, whether by completi...

Polkadot

Polkadot is not just another blockchain, it’s the multichain matchmaker. It’s a Layer 0 pr...

Polygon

Polygon is a scaling solution that makes using Ethereum faster, cheaper, and way more begi...

Portfolio

All your crypto assets, tokens, NFTs, and maybe a bit of stablecoin on the side. Track it....

Pre-Mine

When a portion of tokens are created before a crypto project launches publicly. Often give...

Presale

The private or early round before a token hits the public market. Can offer sweet deals or...

Private Key

A secret string of characters that proves you own and control your crypto. It’s the only w...

Proof-of-Stake (PoS)

A consensus method where validators secure the network by locking up coins. Less energy, m...

Proof-of-Work (PoW)

The OG consensus model. Miners compete to solve puzzles and earn rewards. Secure, but ener...

Protocol

The rules that run a blockchain or DeFi project. Smart contracts, tokenomics, staking. If ...

Public Key

The address people send crypto to. Safe to share, unlike your private key. Think of it as ...

Pump and Dump

When a group hypes a token, pushes up the price, then sells off while everyone else is lef...

QR Code Wallet Address

A scannable version of your wallet address that makes sending and receiving crypto easier ...

Recovery Phrase

Also called a “seed phrase.” The 12–24 words that back up your crypto wallet. Lose it and ...

REKT

The classic crypto term for getting absolutely wiped out in a trade or investment. "I aped...

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

A chart indicator showing whether an asset is overbought or oversold. Above 70? Too hot. B...

Ripple

Ripple is both a company and a blockchain-based payment protocol designed to make cross-bo...

Rug Pull

When a project disappears with your money. Usually after hyping up a token, collecting fun...

Satoshi (SAT)

1/100,000,000th of a Bitcoin. Named after Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. If BTC is t...

Satoshi Nakamoto

The anonymous (or possibly pseudonymous) creator of Bitcoin. Identity unknown. Legend leve...

Scalability

How well a blockchain handles growth like having more users, and/or more transactions, wit...

Scamcoin

A crypto that has zero value or utility. It’s created purely to trap buyers, pump, and dum...

Seed Phrase

Your master key. A list of 12–24 words that can recover your entire wallet. Treat it like ...

Self-Custody

The practice of holding and managing your own crypto without relying on an exchange, bank,...

Sidechain

A separate blockchain connected to a main chain. Assets can move between them, usually for...

Sidechain

A separate blockchain connected to a main chain. Assets can move between them, usually for...

Smart Contract

Self-executing code that runs on a blockchain. No middleman, no delays, just “if this, the...

Soft Cap

The minimum a project hopes to raise during its funding round. If it doesn’t hit this, it ...

SOL (Solana Token)

The native token of the Solana network. SOL is used to pay for transaction fees, interact ...

Solana

A high-speed, low-fee Layer 1 blockchain built for scalability. It can handle thousands of...

Stablecoin

A token designed to hold a stable value, usually pegged to a fiat currency like USD. Examp...

Staking

Locking up tokens to help secure a network or earn rewards. Think of it as earning interes...

Swap

Exchanging one token for another. In DeFi, swaps happen instantly via automated market mak...

Testnet

A sandbox version of a blockchain where developers can test features, contracts, or update...

Token

A digital asset that lives on an existing blockchain. Unlike a coin (like ETH), a token do...

Token Burn

Intentionally destroying tokens to reduce supply, usually to boost scarcity (and hopefully...

Tokenomics

The economic design of a token, from how it’s supplied, distributed, used, and incentivize...

Total Supply

The number of tokens that currently exist, whether they’re circulating or locked up. Diffe...

Transaction Fee

A small cost you pay when sending crypto or interacting with a blockchain. It helps preven...

Tron

A high-speed Layer 1 blockchain best known for low fees, fast transactions, and some contr...

TRX (Tron Token)

The native currency of the Tron network. TRX is used to pay for transactions, access apps,...

TVL (Total Value Locked)

The amount of crypto locked in a DeFi protocol or ecosystem. Higher TVL means more trust, ...

UNI (Uniswap Token)

The governance token of Uniswap. Holding UNI gives you voting rights over protocol changes...

Uniswap

One of the OG decentralized exchanges. It lets you swap tokens straight from your wallet. ...

Utility Token

A token used for accessing services or products in a project’s ecosystem, like paying fees...

Volatility

How wildly prices swing. High volatility means high risk and high reward. Welcome to crypt...

Wallet

A tool, either digital or physical, that lets you store, manage, and interact with your cr...

Web3

The next evolution of the internet, built around decentralization, user ownership, and ope...

Whale

A big-time investor holding enough crypto to move markets. When whales splash, waves happe...

Whitepaper

A detailed doc explaining a crypto project’s vision, tech, and tokenomics. It’s your first...

Wrapped Token

A token that represents another token on a different blockchain. Lets you use BTC on Ether...

XRP

The token used by Ripple Labs to enable fast, cross-border payments. Loved by banks. Hated...

Yield Farming

Putting your crypto to work across DeFi platforms to earn interest, rewards, or new tokens...

Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP)

A cryptographic method where you prove something is true without revealing the actual data...