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

Explanation

Cryptocurrency is a form of payment that's entirely digital, moving from one computer to another. The most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was also the first ever created. Cryptocurrency gets its name from the cryptography or encryption used to protect digital "coins" and all information exchanged when they're traded. At the heart of the word is crypto-, from the Greek kryptos, "hidden or concealed." Cryptocurrency proponents emphasize its security, and the benefit of trading without the interference of banks or governments. Critics warn that investing real money in cryptocurrency is risky; in 2022, people lost a total of about $2 trillion using the digital exchanges.

Example Sentences

Iranians have used Binance accounts to trade foreign currency for cryptocurrency that could then be transferred on to Tehran crypto brokerages, according to foreign law-enforcement officials and researchers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

These include a 2024 data breach at Coinbase that exposed the credentials of 70,000 customers, followed by a massive cryptocurrency heist on Bybit—valued at roughly $1.5 billion—which the exchange disclosed in 2025.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Meanwhile, experts disagree over how long it will be until Iran runs out of space to store its oil, and Tehran continues to fund its military forces via a cryptocurrency exchange.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

While the better-known buy-now-pay-later products allow consumers to make purchases in installments, fintech company Tuyo’s cryptocurrency card pays users back for certain purchases.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

The largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, is trading 62% below its record high reached in October.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026