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

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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

See Examples For:

cryptocurrency

Last weekend, the FBI called on operators of cryptocurrency services to block activity linked to the Binance hack and explicitly named THORChain’s node operators.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2026

The same goes for profits from cryptocurrency sales.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026

The denial was aimed at maintaining channels through which North Korea could continue laundering and using the cryptocurrency, Bosack added.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

Initial findings published by the company, which operates the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, said hackers gained access to its systems through "sophisticated, multi-stage campaign".

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

Pyongyang blasted on Monday the FBI's allegations it was behind the theft of $6 billion from cryptocurrency platform Binance, as it test-fired strategic cruise missiles in a new display of its weapons capabilities.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

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