virtual currency

[vur-choo-uhl kur-uhn-see, kuhr-]

noun

1. an unregulated currency available only in electronic form that is issued and controlled by its developers and usually used within a specific online community.

   The game is free to play, but you must make purchases in the app if you want virtual currency to spend.

   As a virtual currency, bitcoin has less stability than a currency issued by a central bank.

Usage

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of virtual currency¹

First recorded in 1995–2000