cryptocurrency

American  

[krip-toh-kur-uhn-see, -kuhr-] / ˈkrɪp toʊˌkɜr ən si, -ˌkʌr- /

noun

1. currency that exists only in electronic form, operates on a decentralized system of exchange, and uses advanced cryptography for security, or any individual currency of this type.

   Some expect cryptocurrency to become the dominant means of financing trade between markets.

   This particular cryptocurrency has a huge following among retail traders.

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adjective

1. being or relating to virtual currency that uses advanced cryptography for security.

   They are one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges on the internet.

   She got caught running a cryptocurrency scam.

Usage

What's the difference between cryptocurrency, virtual currency, and digital currency? See digital currency ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of cryptocurrency

First recorded in 2005–10; crypto- + currency

Example Sentences

Ver’s defense was that his failure to pay taxes arose from a lack of clarity as to how tax law treated emerging cryptocurrency, good-faith accounting errors and reliance on his advisors’ advice.

From Salon

However, a report from Bloomberg that a U.S. crypto market bill could be delayed by several weeks limits gains in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although blockchain is best known for powering cryptocurrencies, its core function is much broader.

From Science Daily

This is a reversal from last week, when institutional buying in spot bitcoin ETFs drove the price of the cryptocurrency higher.

From MarketWatch

“In short, a geopolitical roller coaster and surging Japanese government bond yields across the curve are likely the major factors driving the recent cryptocurrency downturn,” Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch