Crypto Glossary

Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, such as Ethereum, Solana, or XRP.

A market cycle phase where altcoins significantly outperform Bitcoin in price appreciation.

The original cryptocurrency that introduced blockchain technology and decentralized digital money to the world.

A metric that measures Bitcoin's share of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization relative to all other coins.

A data structure that acts as a "page" in a blockchain ledger, containing a bundle of confirmed transactions.

A shared, immutable digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers, ensuring security and transparency without a central authority.

The currency symbol for Bitcoin, used like USD for U.S. dollars.

A crypto trading platform run by a company that holds custody of your funds.

The first transaction in every block that mints new coins and pays the miner who found the block.

An offline crypto wallet that keeps private keys disconnected from the internet, offering the highest level of security for long-term storage.

A set of rules that a blockchain network uses to agree on the validity of transactions and secure the ledger without a central authority.

A platform where you can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies.

A software program or physical device that stores the keys needed to access and manage your cryptocurrency.

Digital money secured by cryptography that operates independently of central banks and governments.

A strategy of investing a fixed amount regularly regardless of price.

An ecosystem of financial applications built on blockchain networks that operate without central authorities like banks or payment processors.

A peer-to-peer exchange that allows trading without a central intermediary.

A shared database spread across multiple locations that maintains consensus without a central administrator.

A strategy of investing fixed amounts regularly to reduce the impact of market volatility.

The transaction fee paid to network validators for processing transactions or executing smart contracts on a blockchain.

The transaction fees paid on blockchains like Ethereum to process and validate your transactions.

A scheduled event in a blockchain protocol that cuts the reward for mining new blocks in half, effectively reducing the inflation rate.

A unique string of characters generated by a mathematical formula that acts as a digital "fingerprint" for a piece of data.

An internet-connected crypto wallet that offers convenience for trading but requires caution due to online security risks.

A linked public key and private key that together let you own and transfer cryptocurrency securely.

A mandatory verification process where crypto exchanges collect personal data (ID, face scan) to confirm a user's identity.

The foundational blockchain network (like Bitcoin or Ethereum) that settles transactions without relying on another network.

A secondary protocol built on top of an existing blockchain to improve its speed and efficiency while maintaining security.

A Layer 2 solution for Bitcoin enabling instant, nearly free transactions off the main blockchain.

The ease with which a cryptocurrency can be converted into cash or another asset without affecting its market price.

Smart contract-based pools of crypto assets that enable decentralized trading and yield generation.

The total value of a cryptocurrency, calculated as price multiplied by circulating supply.

Cryptocurrencies born from internet memes and jokes, driven by community hype rather than utility.

Using computers to validate blockchain transactions and earn newly created cryptocurrency as a reward.

A secure alphanumeric code that acts as the password to a crypto wallet, allowing the owner to sign transactions and access funds.

A consensus mechanism that secures a blockchain by requiring validators to lock up tokens as collateral rather than expending energy on mining.

A security mechanism where computers (miners) compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles to validate transactions and earn new coins.

A cryptographic code derived from your private key that serves as your identity on the blockchain and allows you to receive funds.

The smallest denomination of Bitcoin, equal to one hundred millionth of a single Bitcoin (0.00000001 BTC).

The ability of a blockchain network to handle a growing number of transactions per second without compromising security or decentralization.

A sequence of 12 to 24 random words that functions as the master password to recover a crypto wallet and access all funds inside.

The difference between the expected price of a trade and the actual price at which the transaction is executed.

A self-executing program stored on a blockchain that runs when predetermined conditions are met.

A type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable market value by being "pegged" to an external asset, usually a fiat currency like the U.S. Dollar.

A measure of price fluctuation—high volatility means bigger, faster price swings in either direction.

A unique string of alphanumeric characters that acts as the specific destination for sending and receiving cryptocurrency.

A cryptographic method that allows one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any specific information about the statement itself.

A cryptographic proof technology that allows one party to prove they possess certain information without revealing the information itself.