Crypto Terms And Definitions For Beginners: Bitcoin And Crypto Slang Explained

Crypto Terms And Definitions For Serious Beginners

If you are new to Bitcoin and crypto, the terminology is often the hardest part. This page is a permanent crypto glossary for beginners, collecting short, plain English definitions of the main terms, metrics and slang you will see on exchanges, in research and on X. Keep it open while you learn and refer back whenever a new word or acronym appears.

At Markets Unplugged we have turned this into a standing crypto glossary for beginners, highlighting the most common and easily misunderstood terms you will meet in the market, from basic Bitcoin concepts to the slang that shows up in trading chats.

Key Points

• This glossary defines the most common crypto and macro terms in plain English.
• Use browser search, for example Control and F on desktop, or Find on Page on mobile.
• Each entry includes a simple example where it helps.
• New terms are added regularly, so this page stays up to date.
• Use the linked guides to go deeper when you are ready.

How To Use This Crypto Glossary

This page is meant to sit open in a tab while you learn. It is a reference you can come back to whenever a new term appears.

Use it in four simple ways:

• Use the Jump To A Letter bar to go straight to the right section.
• Scroll the A to Z list when you meet a term you do not recognise.
• Use your browser’s search function to jump straight to a word or acronym.
• Follow the internal links from key entries if you want a deeper guide on that topic.

We update this glossary over time as new Bitcoin and crypto slang emerges, so it stays useful across cycles rather than going out of date after one bull run.

Numbers

• 1:1 Art - Unique digital art pieces, often referred to as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), with only one copy in existence.
• 2FA - 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) is an extra layer of security that requires users to provide two different types of identification before accessing their crypto accounts.
• 51% Attack - When an entity or group controls the majority of a blockchain's computing power, giving them the ability to manipulate or double-spend transactions.
• 100x - A term used to describe a cryptocurrency or altcoin that has increased in value by 100 times. Example: "I bought $GEM at $0.01 and it's now $1.00, so I've made a 100x return on my investment."

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A

• Accumulation Phase - A period in the market where investors accumulate cryptocurrencies in an effort to increase their holdings, anticipating a price increase.
• Addy - Abbreviation for "address"; refers to a crypto wallet address used for transactions.
• AFK - Away From Keyboard. Used on social media platforms to indicate that a user is only available to receive messages while they are actively trading.
• Airdrop - A free distribution of cryptocurrency tokens to users.
• Alpha - A term used to describe advanced or valuable information that gives traders a potential advantage in the crypto market.
• Anon - Short for "anonymous"; refers to a crypto project or user who prefers to keep their identity concealed.
• Arbitrage - The simultaneous buying and selling of an asset in different markets to profit from the difference in prices.
• Artificial Intelligence - AI in crypto refers to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the crypto space. AI can be used to develop trading bots, predict price movements, and create new security features.
• Altcoin - Altcoin means “alternative coin” and refers to any cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin. Altcoins can include large platforms like Ethereum and Solana, smaller layer 1s, DeFi tokens, exchange tokens, meme coins and more speculative projects.
• Alt Season - A period when alternative cryptocurrencies experience significant price increases.
• Alt Season Index - An index that measures how many top altcoins are outperforming Bitcoin over a rolling period, commonly 90 days. Example: If the index reads 80, roughly 80% of the tracked coins beat Bitcoin over that period.
• Altszn - A slang term used to refer to Altcoin Season.
• AMA - Ask Me Anything (AMA) is a type of social media post where the poster answers questions from people, usually in real-time. For example, Elon Musk has done several AMAs on Twitter.
• ASIC - Application-specific integrated circuit. A specialised computer chip designed for mining cryptocurrency.
• Ape - A slang term for buying a token or NFT shortly after it launches without previously conducting proper research. Example: "Guess what? I just aped into $GEM. It's a new NFT project that I think has a lot of potential."
• API - Application Programming Interface; a way for software applications to communicate with each other.
• ATH - All-Time High. The highest price that a cryptocurrency has ever reached. Bitcoin's ATH was above $69k in November, 2021.
• ATL - All-Time Low. The lowest price that a cryptocurrency has ever reached.

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B

• Bakkt - A regulated platform offering cryptocurrency-related services for institutions and retail customers.
• Bag - A slang term for a cryptocurrency or that an investor holds. Example: "I've got a few bags, I've got $ETH, $DOT, and $AVAX."
• Bagholder - A person who holds onto a cryptocurrency that has lost a significant amount of value, hoping that the price will eventually recover. Example: "I'm a bagholder on $LUNA. I bought it at $100 and now it's worth $0.01."
• Bart Pattern - A price pattern on a chart that resembles the shape of Bart Simpson's head.
• Basis - The difference between a futures price and the spot price of the same asset, which can be positive or negative. Example: If Bitcoin spot is 40,000 and the futures price is 40,400, the basis is 400.
• Bear Market - A period of time when the price of cryptocurrencies is generally declining.
• Bearish - Bearish investors believe that the prices will decline soon. For example, the crypto market was bearish in 2022.
• BEP-2 - A blockchain-based token standard developed by Binance.
• BEP-20 - A blockchain-based token standard developed by Binance Smart Chain.
• Bitcoin - Bitcoin is the first and largest cryptocurrency, designed as a peer to peer electronic cash system that runs on a public blockchain. It is often treated as the reserve asset of the crypto market and is the main reference point for most charts, flows and cycles.
• Bitcoin ETF - A Bitcoin ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a financial product that tracks the price of Bitcoin, allowing investors to buy and sell shares on traditional stock exchanges without directly owning the cryptocurrency.
• Bitcoin Evangelist - An enthusiastic advocate or promoter of Bitcoin and its technology.
• Bitcoin Maximalist - A Bitcoin maximalist is a person who believes that Bitcoin is superior to all other cryptocurrencies and that it's the only currency worth having. For example, the CEO of MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, is a Bitcoin maximalist.
• BitVM2 - An advanced iteration of BitVM, suggesting improvements in Bitcoin's capabilities, potentially enabling more sophisticated functionalities like smart contracts, expanding Bitcoin's role beyond just a digital currency.
• Binance - A cryptocurrency exchange that is one of the largest in the world.
• Black Swan - An unexpected and rare event that has a significant impact on the crypto market.

• Blockchain - A distributed ledger technology that records transactions in a secure and transparent manner.
• Blue Chip -A cryptocurrency that is considered to be a safe investment, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
• Bots - Computer programs that automate tasks on cryptocurrency exchanges, such as buying and selling coins.
• BRC-20 tokens - Tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain that are similar to ERC-20 tokens, but they cannot interact with smart contracts.
• Breakevens - The inflation rate the bond market is implying, often estimated as nominal Treasury yield minus TIPS real yield for the same maturity. Example: 4% nominal minus 2% TIPS implies 2% breakeven inflation.
• Bridge - A blockchain-based protocol that allows users to transfer assets between different blockchains.
• BTC.D - Bitcoin dominance, often written as BTC.D, is the percentage of total crypto market value held in Bitcoin. Rising BTC.D usually means capital is concentrating in Bitcoin, while falling BTC.D can be an early sign of altseason as money rotates into Ethereum and other altcoins.
• BTD - Buy the dip. A phrase used to encourage buying an asset at a low market price.
• BTFD - "Buy The F***ing Dip". As above but with more emphasis.
• BUIDL - "Build" and "hodl" that refers to the act of building and contributing to the crypto ecosystem.
• Bull Market - A period of time when the price of cryptocurrencies is generally rising.
• Bull Run - A period of time when the price of a cryptocurrency is rising rapidly.
• Bullish - Bullish investors expect that the market prices will increase. For example, the crypto market was bullish in 2021.
• Bundler - A service that collects user operations and submits them on-chain in a batch for execution. Example: A wallet sends a user operation to a bundler, and the bundler posts it to the network.
• Burn - The deliberate and permanent removal of a certain amount of cryptocurrency from circulation.

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C

• Canary Network - A test network that is used to test new features before they are released on the main network.
• Capitulation - Capitulation occurs when investors panic and sell off their crypto holdings, often leading to a sharp market downturn.
• Cashtags - Hashtags that are used to represent a cryptocurrency or altcoin, such as $BTC for Bitcoin. For example, you could use the cashtag $BTC to talk about Bitcoin on social media, track its price movements, or send and receive Bitcoin payments.
• Cardano - A decentralised open-source blockchain platform.
• Central bank digital currency (CBDC) - A digital currency issued by a central bank.
• Centralised (CEX) - A cryptocurrency exchange controlled by a single entity or company like Binance, Coinbase and Kraken.
• Chad - A term used in the crypto community to describe someone who is confident, successful, and experienced in trading or investing.
• Charles Hoskinson - The co-founder of Ethereum and the founder of Cardano.
• Charlie Lee - The creator of Litecoin.
• Chart - A graphical representation showing the historical price movements of a cryptocurrency over a specific period of time, helping traders analyse trends and make informed decisions.
• Clout Tweet - A tweet that is made with the intention of gaining attention or social media "clout". Example: "I just bought $GEM and I'm so excited! I think it's going to be the next big thing."
• Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) - A metric that increases when older coins are spent, calculated as coins moved multiplied by the number of days since they last moved. Example: Moving 1 BTC last moved 100 days ago destroys 100 coin days.
• Cold Wallet - A secure crypto wallet not connected to the internet.
• Collectible - NFTs representing rare or exclusive digital items, often linked to popular games or virtual worlds.
• CPI - Consumer Price Index, a measure of the price of goods and services in the economy.
• Craig Wright - A controversial figure in the crypto community, who has claimed to be the creator of Bitcoin, but this claim is widely disputed.
• Credentials - In the crypto context, credentials refer to the information, such as usernames and passwords, used to access crypto accounts.
• Cross Chain - The ability to transfer cryptocurrency tokens between different blockchains.
• Crowdloan - A mechanism in Polkadot's ecosystem for users to support and participate in parachain auctions.
• Crowdsale - A fundraising method where investors buy tokens or coins during a project's early stage.
• Crypto - A general term for any digital or virtual cryptocurrency that uses cryptography for security.
• Crypto Cultism - Crypto cultism describes an excessive and uncritical devotion to specific cryptocurrencies or projects within the crypto community.

• Crypto Tribalism - Crypto tribalism refers to the strong loyalty and division among crypto enthusiasts supporting different projects or cryptocurrencies.
• Crypto Winter - A prolonged period of bearish market conditions and declining crypto prices.
• Crypto Unplugged - The Crypto Unplugged Podcast is a straightforward and engaging audio show that discusses crypto topics for everyone to understand.
• Cryptojacking - Cryptojacking is a type of crypto crime that includes hijacking a computer to mine crypto. For example, in 2019, a cryptojacking attack infected over 1 million computers.
• Cryptosis - Cryptosis refers to someone who's obsessed with crypto and wants to learn everything about it. For example, there are many people on Twitter who are cryptosis.
• Cryptography - The practice of encrypting and decrypting data.
• CT - Acronym for "Crypto Twitter". A crypto community who use X (Twitter) to discuss and debate the latest news and trends in the crypto space.
• Custody - The way crypto is stored and controlled, meaning who holds the private keys and has the ability to move the funds. Example: Exchange custody means the platform controls the keys, while self custody means the user controls the keys in a wallet.
• Cypherpunk - An early crypto advocate who believed that cryptography could be used to protect individual privacy and freedom.
• CZ - Nickname for Changpeng Zhao, Former CEO of Binance, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange.

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D

• dApp - Decentralised application. An application that runs on a blockchain network and is not controlled by any central authority.
• DAO - Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) are organisations that have no central authority and operate autonomously. For
• DCA - Dollar cost average. A strategy for investing in cryptocurrency by buying a fixed amount on a regular schedule, regardless of the price. This helps to average out your cost over time and reduce your risk.
• Dead Cat Bounce - A temporary recovery in the price of a declining cryptocurrency before resuming the downtrend.
• Ded - A slang term for "dead," used to describe a cryptocurrency that is no longer active or has lost its value.
• DeFi - Decentralised finance. A financial system that is built on blockchain technology and does not rely on traditional financial institutions.
• Degen - A slang term used on Crypto Twitter (CT) to describe someone who engages in high-risk and impulsive crypto trading. Degens are often seen as reckless and irresponsible, but they can also be very successful if they get lucky. For example, someone might say "I'm not sure if I should follow that degen's advice. He's made a lot of money, but he's also lost a lot of money."
• Delisting - The removal of a cryptocurrency from a cryptocurrency exchange.
• Delta Engine - The Delta Engine is a Markets Unplugged framework that combines price, volume, sentiment and on chain metrics to flag potential cycle bottoms and tops in Bitcoin. It tracks changes in futures positioning, delta volume, exhaustion signals and sentiment percentages over weekly and monthly timeframes, then labels conditions such as “Potential Top” or “Bottom Confirmation”. The goal is to turn complex Bitcoin data into a single, readable view for traders who want high grade, cycle level signals rather than intraday noise.
• Depeg - The loss of the peg between a stablecoin and its underlying asset.
• Devs -Short for "developers," the people who create and maintain crypto projects.
• DEX - Decentralised exchanges (DEXs) are exchanges that don't have a central authority and allow users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with each other. For example, Uniswap is a popular DEX.
• Diamond hands - A person who holds onto their cryptocurrency investment even when the price is falling. For example, someone who bought Bitcoin at $10,000 and didn't sell even when the price dropped to $3,000.
• DIDs - Decentralised identifiers, which are a way to uniquely identify people or things on the blockchain.
• Digital currency - A form of currency that exists only in digital form.
• Do Kwon: The co-founder and CEO of Terraform Labs, the company that created the Terra blockchain and the algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD. He was arrested in South Korea on charges of fraud and market manipulation related to the collapse of TerraUSD.
• Dogecoin - A cryptocurrency that was created as a joke but has since gained a large following. A meme coin.
• Dominance - The percentage of the total crypto market cap that is held by a particular cryptocurrency.
• Don't fade - Is crypto Twitter slang for holding your investments during a dip and resisting the urge to sell. It's a motivational call to stay strong and believe in the long-term potential of an altcoin.
• DotSama - Combination of "Polkadot" and "Kusama". The Polkadot and Kusama community.
• Drop - A drop is a release of something, such as a new cryptocurrency or NFT. For example, the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFTs were released in a drop.
• Dumping - When someone sells a lot of crypto all at once, which can make the price go down.
• Dust Transaction - Refers to a tiny and uneconomical amount of cryptocurrency that is left in a wallet after a transaction due to transaction fees.
• Dusting Attack - Involves sending small amounts of cryptocurrency to multiple addresses to trace users and compromise their privacy.
• Doxxed - A term used to describe someone who has revealed their real-world identity to the public.
• DYOR - Do Your Own Research (DYOR) is a reminder to do your own research before investing in any crypto or NFT. For example, before you invest in a new cryptocurrency, you should DYOR to make sure it's a legitimate project.

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E

• EIP-1559 - A proposal to change the way that transaction fees are calculated on the Ethereum blockchain.
• Elliot Wave - A technical analysis (TA) theory used by some traders to predict price movements in financial markets, and crypto.
• EOA - Externally Owned Account, a standard wallet account controlled by a private key that can send transactions and interact with smart contracts. Example: A MetaMask wallet address is usually an EOA.
• Epoch - A period of time in which a blockchain network reaches consensus on a new block.
• EFFR - Effective Federal Funds Rate, the daily rate published by the New York Fed that reflects where overnight federal funds transactions actually traded. Example: If the Fed holds its target range steady, the EFFR usually stays within that range.
• ETH - The ticker symbol for Ethereum.
• Ethereum - A popular decentralised blockchain platform that enables developers to create and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications (DApps).
• ETH.D - Ethereum dominance, often written as ETH.D, is the percentage of total crypto market value held in Ethereum. Example: If ETH.D rises from 10% to 12%, Ethereum is gaining market share.
• Ethereum Merge: The transition of Ethereum from a proof-of-work to a proof-of-stake blockchain.

• Exchange - An exchange is a digital platform where users can buy, sell, and trade various cryptocurrencies and traditional fiat currencies.
• Exchange netflows - The net amount of crypto moving into or out of exchanges over a period, usually deposits minus withdrawals. Example: A positive netflow means more coins moved to exchanges than left, which can signal higher sell-side availability.
• Exchange Reserves - Exchange reserves refer to the total amount of a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, held on centralised exchanges. Falling exchange reserves can mean coins are moving into long term storage and off the market, while rising reserves can signal potential selling pressure. Many on chain dashboards track exchange reserves as a liquidity and supply indicator for crypto investors.
• Exit Scam - A fraudulent scheme in which the developers of a crypto project abandon the project and steal the investors' funds.

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F

• FA - Fundamental Analysis, which is a method of evaluating a cryptocurrency by analysing its underlying fundamentals.
• Fakeout - A misleading price movement that causes traders to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at the wrong time.

• Farm -A process of earning crypto rewards by staking or providing liquidity to a DeFi platform.
• Fear and Greed Index - A tool that measures how fearful or greedy investors are feeling about cryptocurrency. It ranges from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed). See here.
• Fed: - The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States. Not directly related to crypto but influential in the global financial landscape.
• Federal Funds Rate - The Federal Funds Rate is the benchmark interest rate set by the US Federal Reserve for overnight lending between banks. It influences borrowing costs across the economy and is a key driver of risk appetite in global markets. Changes in the Federal Funds Rate can affect liquidity flowing into or out of Bitcoin and other risk assets.
• Few - A slang term used as a short form of "few understand," meaning that only a small number of people understand or appreciate something.
• Fiat - A government-issued currency that is not backed by a physical commodity.
• Fish - A small cryptocurrency trader who is not very experienced.
• Flippening - The flippening refers to the potential moment when Ethereum surpasses Bitcoin and becomes the biggest cryptocurrency in terms of market cap. For example, some people believe that the flippening will happen in the next few years.
• Floor price - The minimum price that an NFT is currently selling for.
• FOMO - Fear of missing out. The feeling of anxiety that you might miss out on a profitable investment opportunity.
• FML - "F*ck my life", and is used to express frustration or disappointment. For example, you might say "FML" if you lost a lot of money in a crypto crash.
• Fren - Slang for "friend"; used affectionately in the crypto community to refer to fellow enthusiasts.
• FUD - Fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Negative information that is spread about a cryptocurrency in order to drive down its price.
• Funding (funding rate) - A periodic payment between long and short traders in perpetual futures that helps keep the futures price close to spot. Example: If funding is positive, longs pay shorts each funding interval.

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G

• Gains - The profit that is made from the sale of a cryptocurrency.
• GameFi - Combination of "game" and "finance". Refers to the use of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to create games that are both fun and profitable. GameFi games allow players to earn cryptocurrency by playing, which can then be used to purchase in-game items or exchanged for fiat currency. Axie Infinity is a popular GameFi game.
• Gas fees - Transaction fees paid to process actions on a blockchain, most commonly used for Ethereum. Example: Sending ETH or swapping tokens on Ethereum requires paying a gas fee.
• Gas sponsorship - When an app or wallet covers the gas fee so the user can transact without holding the network token. Example: A new user swaps a token without needing ETH for gas.
• Gavin Wood - A co-founder of Ethereum and the founder of Polkadot.
• Gem - A slang term for a cryptocurrency or altcoin that is considered to be undervalued or has the potential to grow significantly in value. Example: "I think $GLMR is a gem. It's got a great team and a strong community."
• Github - A code hosting platform where developers can collaborate on open-source projects.
• GM - Acronym for "good morning", a greeting used in the crypto community. For example, someone might say "GM" in a Discord chat or on Twitter to greet other members of the crypto community

• GOAT - Greatest of all time, and is used to compliment someone or something. For example, you might say "Bitcoin is the GOAT."
• Golden Cross - A bullish chart pattern where a short-term moving average crosses above a long-term moving average.
• Google Authenticator - A two-factor authentication app that is used to protect cryptocurrency accounts.
• Green Dildo - Slang for a green candlestick on a price chart, indicating a significant upward price movement.
• Guardians - Trusted people, devices, or accounts that can approve a social recovery request for a wallet. Example: Three out of five guardians approve recovery, and the wallet access is restored.
• Gwei - A unit of measurement for the gas price on the Ethereum network.

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H

• Hal Finney - A pioneer in the field of cryptography and the first person to receive a Bitcoin transaction from its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
• Halving - A reduction in the reward that miners receive for processing transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain.
• Hard Fork - A change to the protocol of a blockchain network that results in the creation of a new blockchain.
• Hashrate - The measure of the computational power that is being used to secure a blockchain network.
• High Cap - Cryptocurrencies with a large market capitalisation.
• HODL - A misspelling of the word "hold" that has become a meme in the cryptocurrency community. It refers to the practice of not selling your cryptocurrency, even when the price is falling.
• HODL waves - A chart that splits Bitcoin supply into age bands to show how long coins have been held without moving. Example: If the share of coins held for 1 year plus is rising, it suggests more supply is staying dormant.
• Hot Wallet - A crypto wallet that is connected to the internet, making it more vulnerable to hacking. It is not recommended for long-term storage, but rather for sending and receiving funds.

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I

• ICO - Initial Coin Offering. It is a fundraising method for blockchain projects in which tokens are sold to the public in exchange for cryptocurrency or fiat currency.
• IDO - Initial Decentralised Offering. It is similar to an ICO, but it allows users to interact with the project before it goes live.
• IEO - Initial Exchange Offering. It is a fundraising method in which tokens are sold to the public through a crypto exchange.
• IGO - Initial Game Offering; similar to an Initial Exchange Offering but for gaming projects.
• Immutability - Property of the blockchain that makes it impossible to change or modify data that has been added to the blockchain. This makes the blockchain a secure and reliable way to store data.
• Institutional Investor - An investor who is a large organisation or entity that invests significant capital in financial markets, including the crypto market.
• Interoperability - The ability of different blockchain networks to communicate and share data with each other.
• IoT: The Internet of Things, a network of physical devices that are connected to the internet.
• IRL - In Real Life; used to distinguish real-world situations from online activities.
• IYKTK - If you know, you know. A phrase used to express that someone understands a particular reference or inside joke.

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J

• JOMO - Joy of missing out, is the opposite of FOMO, or fear of missing out. It's feeling content with your own choices and not buying into new crypto projects that seem risky.

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K

• KAIROS - Kairos is a timing tool developed in house by The Markets Unplugged. It estimates the dominant market cycle for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and OTHERS, then projects forward high, low and turn windows where significant moves have often clustered in previous cycles. The aim is not to predict a single candle, but to give crypto investors a simple timing map so they can plan DCA, trims and risk decisions in advance instead of reacting to noise.

• KYC - Know your customer", is a form of identity verification required by many crypto exchanges since being imposed by regulatory agencies in 2017. Example: "I had to provide KYC information before I could start trading on Binance."

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L

• L - Losses in the crypto market, losses occur when the value of cryptocurrency investments decreases, resulting in a decrease in portfolio value.
• Lambo - A slang term for a Lamborghini, a luxury sports car. Often used in the cryptocurrency community to express the belief that the price of a cryptocurrency will increase significantly in the future, to the point where it will be possible to buy a Lamborghini with the profits.

• Laser Eyes - A meme that represents the belief that the price of Bitcoin will eventually reach $100,000 or more.
• Layer 0 - The underlying foundation of a blockchain system, often referring to the physical layer or consensus mechanism.
• Layer 1 - The base layer of a blockchain protocol, where transactions are processed and recorded.
• Layer 2 - Secondary solutions built on top of Layer 1 blockchains to improve scalability and efficiency.
• Ledger - A digital record of cryptocurrency transactions maintained on a blockchain.
• Ledger Wallet - A hardware wallet that stores cryptocurrency offline.
• Leverage - The use of borrowed funds to increase the potential return on an investment.
• Lightning Network: A layer-2 scaling solution for Bitcoin that enables faster and cheaper transactions.
• LFG - Acronym for "let's f*cking go", a phrase used to express excitement or enthusiasm. Example: A rallying cry used by members of the crypto community to express their excitement about a new project or event.
• Liquid Mining - A concept where users provide liquidity to a decentralised exchange and earn rewards for it.
• Liquidity - The ease with which an asset can be bought or sold.
• Looks Rare - Expressing interest in an NFT that appears to have unique or limited features.
• Long - A position in a cryptocurrency that is expected to increase in value.
• Low Cap - Cryptocurrencies with a low market capitalisation.

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M

• Mainnet - The official and fully operational version of a blockchain network.
• Market capitalisation - The total value of all the coins or tokens in circulation for a particular cryptocurrency.
• Max Supply - The maximum number of tokens that will ever be created for a cryptocurrency.
• Maximalists or Maxis - People who believe that a particular cryptocurrency or altcoin is the best and will eventually replace fiat currency. Example: "I'm a Bitcoin maxi. I believe that Bitcoin is the future of money."
• McDonalds - Crypto slang term used humorously to express regret or disappointment about a failed investment, like saying "Looks like I'll be working at McDonalds after putting all my money into that sinking coin."

• Meme - In the crypto space, a meme refers to a satirical or viral image or phrase that playfully represents and spreads ideas about cryptocurrencies or related trends.
• Memecoin - A cryptocurrency that is based on a popular internet meme. Memecoins are often created as a joke, but they can sometimes become very valuable. Some examples of meme coins include Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Floki Inu.
• MetaMask- A popular cryptocurrency wallet that is available as a browser extension or mobile app.
• Metadata - Data that provides information about a digital asset, such as its creator, provenance, or rarity.
• Metaverse - The use of blockchain technology to create virtual worlds that can be accessed and interacted with using cryptocurrency. Metaverses can be used for gaming, social networking, and even business applications.
• Micro Cap - Cryptocurrencies with a small market capitalisation.
• Mid Cap - Cryptocurrencies with a moderate market capitalisation.
• Miners - Individuals or entities that validate transactions and secure a blockchain network.
• Mining - The process of verifying transactions on a blockchain network and earning cryptocurrency rewards in return.
• Mint - Minting refers to the creation of new coins or tokens. For example, when you mint an NFT, you are creating a new unique token that is stored on the blockchain.
• Mnemonics - A series of words that can be used to recover a cryptocurrency wallet.
• Mods- Short for "moderators," the people who manage online communities, such as Discord servers or Telegram channels.
• Moon - A term used to express the belief that the price of a cryptocurrency will increase significantly in the future.
• Moonbag - A metaphorical bag that holds crypto expected to surge in value, with the hope of significant gains.
• Moonboy/Moongirl - An overly optimistic individual who believes a cryptocurrency's price will skyrocket to the moon.
• Mooning - Mooning refers to the rapid increase in the price of a cryptocurrency. For example, Solana "mooned" in 2021.
• Mt. Gox - A Japanese cryptocurrency exchange that was hacked in 2014, resulting in the loss of over 850,000 Bitcoin.
• Multisig - Short for multi-signature, a wallet set-up that requires more than one approval to move funds. Example: A 2 of 3 multisig needs two keys to sign before a transaction can be sent.
• MVRV Ratio - The MVRV ratio compares Bitcoin’s market value (current market capitalisation) to its realised value (realised capitalisation). A high MVRV ratio suggests a large share of supply is sitting on significant unrealised profit, which can appear near cycle tops, while a low MVRV ratio can mark periods of deep value or capitulation. It is one of the core Bitcoin on chain valuation metrics.

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N

• NFA - Acronym for "not financial advice", a disclaimer used to indicate that the speaker is not providing financial advice. For example, a YouTuber might say "NFA" at the beginning of a video about crypto to make it clear that they are not giving financial advice and that viewers should do their own research before investing.
• NFT - Non-fungible token. A unique digital asset that cannot be replaced by another asset.
• NGMI - Not gonna make it. A phrase used to express that someone is not likely to succeed.
• No Coiner - A "no-coiner" is someone who is pessimistic about crypto and doesn't believe that there is a use case for it. As such, they have no holdings, no crypto tokens, and no coins. They're a "no-coiner." Example: "Some no-coiner was telling me about how Bitcoin is dumping."
• Node - A computer that is connected to a blockchain network and helps to verify transactions.
• Normie - Someone who is not familiar with the crypto space.

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O

• Off-Chain - Transactions that take place outside of the blockchain network.
• OG - An abbreviation for "original gangster," a term used to refer to early cryptocurrency adopters.
• On-Chain - Data that is stored on the blockchain.
• On-Ledger Currency - A cryptocurrency that is stored on a distributed ledger.
• Open interest (OI) - The total number of outstanding futures or options contracts that are still open, not closed or expired. Example: If open interest rises while price rises, more contracts are being added.
• OpenSea - A leading marketplace for buying and selling NFTs.
• Oracles - Services that provide real-world data to blockchain networks.
• Order Book - A list of buy and sell orders for a particular cryptocurrency.
• Ordinals - Tokens with unique serial numbers or identifiers.
• Orphan Block - A block that is not added to the blockchain because it does not meet the consensus rules.
• OTC - Over-The-Counter; refers to trading directly between parties without using an exchange.
• Others - "Others" in the context of cryptocurrency refers to all digital currencies besides the ones explicitly mentioned, often encompassing a diverse range of altcoins, tokens, and emerging cryptocurrencies beyond the most prominent ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• Overbought - A condition in which a cryptocurrency is trading at a price that is considered to be too high.
• Oversold - A condition in which a cryptocurrency is trading at a price that is considered to be too low.

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P

• Pair: A combination of two cryptocurrencies that are traded together. Example: BTC/USDT.
• Paymaster - A smart contract used in account abstraction that pays gas for a user, or allows gas to be paid using another token under set rules. Example: A dapp uses a paymaster to sponsor the first transaction for new users.
• Peg - The linking of a cryptocurrency to another asset, such as the US dollar, in order to maintain a stable price.
• P2E - Play-to-earn (P2E) games are games that allow users to earn cryptocurrency by playing. For example, Axie Infinity is a popular P2E game
• P2P - Peer-to-peer. A network of computers that are connected directly to each other without the need for a central authority.
• Paper Hands - Paper hands refers to traders who sell their cryptocurrency as soon as the price starts to go down.
• Parachain - A blockchain connected to a relay chain in the Polkadot network.
• Pizza - Refers to the first purchase made with cryptocurrency. The term originated from a famous story of Laszlo Hanyecz, who bought two pizzas with 10,000 BTC in 2010.

• Pleb - A derogatory term for an inexperienced or uninformed crypto investor.
• Portfolios - A collection of different cryptocurrencies or assets held by an individual or organization.
• Pre-sale - A limited sale of tokens to early investors before the public token sale.
• Privacy Coins - Privacy coins are a type of cryptocurrency designed to enhance the anonymity and privacy of transactions. They use advanced cryptographic techniques to obscure sender and receiver information, transaction amounts, and other details, making it difficult for outside observers to trace or monitor transactions.
• Private key - A secret code that proves ownership of a crypto wallet and allows you to sign transactions. Example: Anyone with your private key can move your funds, so it should never be shared.
• Probably Nothing - A phrase often used sarcastically when a member of the crypto community discovers a minor issue or anomaly.

• PFP - Profile picture, a digital image that is used to represent a user's identity on social media or other online platforms.
• PMIs - Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys that track business activity; readings above 50 suggest expansion, below 50 suggest contraction.
• Public address/key - The wallet address you share to receive crypto, like an account number. Example: A friend sends you Bitcoin by pasting your public address into their wallet.
• Pump and Dump - A scheme in which a group of people artificially inflate the price of a cryptocurrency in order to sell their own tokens at a profit.
• Proof of Work (PoW) - A consensus mechanism that requires miners to solve complex mathematical problems in order to verify transactions and earn cryptocurrency rewards.
• Proof of Stake (PoS) - A consensus mechanism that requires validators to stake their cryptocurrency in order to verify transactions and earn cryptocurrency rewards.

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Q

• Quantum Computing - A type of computing that uses quantum bits, or qubits, to perform calculations. Quantum computers have the potential to break the encryption used by blockchain networks, which could have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market.

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R

• Rarities - Collectible NFTs with unique attributes, contributing to their value and desirability.
• Regulated - A cryptocurrency that is subject to government regulation.
• Real-World Assets (RWAs) - Real-World Assets refer to physical or traditional assets, such as real estate, commodities, or financial instruments, that are tokenised and represented on a blockchain, allowing them to be traded or managed digitally within the crypto ecosystem.
• Real yields - The inflation adjusted yield on government bonds, often used as a quick gauge of how tight financial conditions are. Example: If the 10 year real yield rises, inflation adjusted borrowing costs are rising.
• Realised loss - The total value of loss taken when coins are spent at a lower price than their last on-chain move (cost basis). Example: Coins last moved at $40,000 and are spent at $35,000, that spend contributes realised loss.
• Realised Price - Realised price is an on chain metric that values each coin at the price it last moved on chain rather than the current market price. For Bitcoin, dividing the realised capitalisation by the circulating supply gives realised price. It is often used as a cycle guide to see whether the market is trading above or below the average price at which coins last changed hands.
• Realised profit - The total value of profit taken when coins are spent at a higher price than their last on-chain move (cost basis). Example: Coins last moved at $30,000 and are spent at $40,000, that spend contributes realised profit.
• Rekt - A slang term used in crypto to describe an investor's portfolio or investment suffering heavy of complete losses.
• Repo - A short-term loan where cash is borrowed using securities as collateral, done via a sell now and buy back later agreement. Example: A bank sells Treasuries overnight for cash and repurchases them tomorrow at a slightly higher price.
• Risk On And Risk Off - Risk on and risk off describe broad shifts in market appetite for risk. In a risk on environment investors favour equities, high yield credit and crypto, while in a risk off phase they move towards safer assets such as cash, government bonds or defensive stocks. Crypto investors often combine risk on / risk off reads with macro indicators and on chain data when deciding how aggressively to allocate.
• Roadmap - A plan for the future development of a cryptocurrency project.
• ROI - Return on Investment; the percentage gain or loss on an investment relative to its initial cost.
• Rug Pull - A scam in which investors are tricked into buying a cryptocurrency that is then abandoned by the developers, leaving the investors with worthless tokens.
• Rugged - A term used to describe a cryptocurrency project that has been abandoned by its developers, leaving investors with worthless tokens.

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S

• SAFU - Secure Asset Fund for Users. A Binance initiative that protects users' funds.
• Satoshi - The smallest unit of Bitcoin.
• Sats - The smallest unit of Bitcoin, equivalent to 0.00000001 BTC. Same meaning as above.
• Satoshi Nakamoto - The pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin.
• SBF - Sam Bankman-Fried; former CEO of crypto exchange FTX. Currently under house arrest and charged with fraud and money laundering.
• Scalability - The ability of a blockchain network to handle increasing transaction volume.
• SEC - Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States government agency that regulates the securities industry.
• Seed - The initial private key used to generate a cryptocurrency wallet.
• Seed phrase - A list of words that is used to generate your cryptocurrency wallet private key.
• Secret Recovery Phrase - Another name for a seed phrase, often used by wallet apps to describe the wallet backup words. Example: MetaMask calls your seed phrase a Secret Recovery Phrase.
• Seems legit - A slang term used to express uncertainty about something, such as the legitimacy of a crypto project.
• Ser -A form of "sir," used as a term of address in online communities like Twitter.
• Send it! - A phrase commonly used to encourage someone to make a bold or aggressive move. Implies taking action without hesitation, especially when there is an expectation of a favourable outcome or significant price increase.
• SHA-256 - A cryptographic hash function that is used to secure blockchain networks.
• Sharding - A technique for dividing a blockchain network into smaller pieces, which can improve scalability.
• Shitcoin - A cryptocurrency that has little to no value or utility. Shitcoins are often created as scams or pump-and-dump schemes.
• Short - A position in a cryptocurrency that is expected to decrease in value.
• Smart Contract - A program deployed on a blockchain that runs at a specific address and can hold and move assets based on its code. Example: A decentralised exchange uses smart contracts to swap tokens.
• Shill - A person who promotes a project, token, or coin while trying to appear objective, but actually benefits from it becoming more popular.
• Shilling - Promoting a cryptocurrency on social media for personal gain or a hidden agenda.
• Signatures - Cryptographic proof that you authorised an action with your wallet, without revealing your private key. Example: Signing a message can prove you own an address without sending a transaction.
• Silk Road - A now-defunct darknet marketplace where illegal goods were traded using Bitcoin.
• Snapshot - A recorded state of a blockchain at a specific moment, often used for airdrops or forks.
• Social recovery - A wallet recovery method that restores access using trusted helpers instead of relying only on a seed phrase. Example: If you lose your phone, recovery can be approved by a set number of guardians.
• SOPR (Spent Output Profit Ratio) - SOPR, or Spent Output Profit Ratio, is an on chain metric that measures whether coins being spent on a given day are, on average, being sold in profit or at a loss. A SOPR above 1 means spent coins are realising profit, while a SOPR below 1 means they are realising losses. Sustained periods of high SOPR can signal euphoria, while resets below 1 can indicate capitulation or healthy profit taking.
• Soy Boy - A derogatory term used by some in the crypto space to refer to a crypto investor who is easily discouraged by market volatility.
• SPV - A Special Purpose Vehicle, which is a separate legal entity set up to hold a specific asset or run a single deal. Example: A fund may create an SPV to buy Bitcoin for one group of investors without mixing it with other investments.
• Stablecoin - A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to hold a stable value, usually pegged to a fiat currency such as the US dollar. Traders and investors use stablecoins to move funds between exchanges, park profits and manage risk without leaving the crypto ecosystem.
• Staking - Locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency to support a blockchain network and earn rewards.
• Sweep the Floor - To buy all of the NFTs in a collection at their floor price.

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T

• Technical Analysis - Analysis of historical price data and other factors to identify patterns that may indicate future price movements. Example: a technical analyst might look at historical price charts to identify support and resistance levels, which are areas where the price of a cryptocurrency is likely to find support or resistance.
• Testnet - A test network that is used to test new features before they are released on the main network.
• Tether - A stablecoin that is pegged to the US dollar.
• TIPS - US Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, which are government bonds designed to protect investors from inflation by adjusting their principal with changes in inflation. Example: If inflation rises, a TIPS principal value increases, which can lift the interest payments.
• Token - A digital asset that represents a unit of value on a blockchain network.
• Token approvals - A permission you give a smart contract to spend a token on your behalf, usually needed before swaps or deposits. Example: Before swapping USDC on a decentralised exchange, you approve the contract to use your USDC.
• Tokenomics - The economic design and structure of a cryptocurrency, including its use, distribution, and governance.
• Token Lockup - A period during which tokens cannot be transferred or sold after an ICO or fundraising.
• TOTAL2 - TOTAL2 represents the total market capitalisation of all cryptocurrencies excluding both Bitcoin and Ethereum, offering insights into the combined value of alternative digital assets within the crypto market.
• TOTAL3 - TOTAL3 refers to the total market capitalisation of all cryptocurrencies excluding Bitcoin, providing a broader perspective on the overall health and value of the crypto market beyond Bitcoin's influence.
• Total Supply - The total number of tokens that have been created for a particular cryptocurrency.
• Touch Grass - A phrase in the crypto community advising people to take a break from screens and the digital world to reconnect with real life. It's a reminder to step away from charts, trading, or online discussions to clear your head, often for mental health or perspective. For example: "After spending hours watching market movements, it's time to touch grass and get some fresh air.

• TradingView - An online platform offering financial charts and technical analysis tools for traders.
• Transaction Fee - A fee that is paid to miners in order to process a cryptocurrency transaction.
• TRC-20 - A token standard on the TRON blockchain.
• Treasury Yields - Treasury yields are the interest rates paid on US government bonds of different maturities. Rising yields, especially on longer dated Treasuries, can tighten financial conditions and make risk assets less attractive, while falling yields can ease conditions. Many crypto investors watch Treasury yields as part of their macro indicator set.
• TVL - A total value of all the cryptocurrency assets that are currently staked or deposited in a DeFi protocol. It is a measure of the popularity and health of a DeFi protocol.

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U

• US Dollar Index (DXY) - The US Dollar Index, or DXY, tracks the value of the US dollar against a basket of major currencies. A rising DXY often pressures risk assets like Bitcoin and altcoins, while a weaker dollar can support a more risk-on backdrop.
• USDT - The ticker symbol for Tether. A stablecoin that is pegged to the US dollar. See Tether.
• Use Case - The practical application or purpose of a cryptocurrency or blockchain project.
• User operation - A packaged request that describes what a smart account wants to do, used in account abstraction instead of a normal transaction. Example: A user operation can include “approve token” and “swap” as one request, then it is executed by the smart account.
• Utility Token - A type of cryptocurrency that grants access to specific services or functions within a platform.
• UTXO - Unspent Transaction Output; a building block of a blockchain used to track individual coin ownership.

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V

• Valhalla - A metaphorical term for a cryptocurrency's peak or all-time high value. Similar to Moon.
• Validator - A participant in a proof-of-stake blockchain who validates and secures transactions.
• Vanity Address- A custom crypto address with a specific number or sequence of characters for aesthetic appeal.
• Vaporware - Refers to a sexy, cool idea or concept that will, in all likelihood, never exist or come to fruition. It can also refer to prospective cryptocurrencies that have no apparent use. Example: "The idea sounds great, but it's all vaporware — it'll never take off."
• Vitalik Buterin - The co-founder of Ethereum and the current director of research at the Ethereum Foundation.

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W

• WAGBO - We are gonna be okay. A phrase used to express reassurance in the face of adversity.
• WAGMI - We are all gonna make it. A phrase used to express optimism about the future of cryptocurrency.

• Wallet - A software program that is used to store, send, and receive cryptocurrency.
• Web3 - The next generation of the internet, decentralised and powered by blockchain technology.
• Weak Hands - Investors who sell their crypto holdings during a downturn in the market.
• Wen Lambo? or When Lambo? - A cheeky way of inquiring about the potential for substantial gains in crypto. Suggests that if the cryptocurrency's price rises significantly, the person might be able to afford a Lamborghini car.
• Wen Moon? or When Moon? - A cheeky way of asking when the price of a particular cryptocurrency will significantly increase. Reflects the anticipation and excitement among crypto enthusiasts for a substantial price surge. Same meaning as Wen Lambo? or When Lambo?.
• Whales - Large cryptocurrency investors who have the ability to move the market.
• Whitelist - A list of approved participants in a cryptocurrency event, such as a pre-sale or airdrop.
• Whitepaper - A detailed document outlining the concept, technology, and purpose of a cryptocurrency project.

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X

• XRP - The ticker symbol for Ripple's native cryptocurrency; designed for fast and low-cost international transactions.

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Y

• Yield Farming - A process of earning cryptocurrency rewards by providing liquidity to a decentralised finance (DeFi) platform.

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Z

• Zero Knowledge - A security concept in cryptography where one party proves to another that certain information is true without revealing the actual details, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.
• Zero-Knowledge Proof - A cryptographic method that allows one party to prove the truth of a statement to another party without revealing any additional information.
• ZK-Rollups - A layer 2 scaling solution in the crypto space that enhances transaction efficiency by aggregating multiple transfers into a single cryptographic proof while maintaining privacy through zero-knowledge proofs.
• zK SNARKs - Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge; advanced cryptographic tools that keep information private while proving its accuracy, making blockchain networks more secure and efficient.

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Mini FAQs: Crypto Terms And Definitions

What are the main crypto terms beginners should learn first?
Start with the foundations: Bitcoin, blockchain, wallet, private key, seed phrase, stablecoin and exchange. Then add core market terms such as market cap, bull market, bear market and Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D). Everything else in this glossary builds on those ideas.

What does HODL mean in crypto?
HODL is a misspelt version of “hold” that became slang in the early Bitcoin forums. It now means holding your Bitcoin or crypto through volatility instead of trying to trade every small move, usually with a long term view.

What is a rug pull in crypto?
A rug pull is when the team or insiders behind a project suddenly remove liquidity or abandon the token, leaving outside holders with assets that are almost worthless. It is one of the main scams beginners need to understand before they invest in small, illiquid coins.

What is Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D)?
Bitcoin dominance, written as BTC.D, is the percentage of total crypto market value held in Bitcoin. When BTC.D rises, capital is concentrating in Bitcoin. When BTC.D falls, it can be a sign that money is rotating into Ethereum and other altcoins.

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If this glossary helped you get more comfortable with the language around Bitcoin and crypto, you will get far more value from seeing how we actually use these concepts in live market reports, on-chain briefs and timing notes each week.

Alpha Insider members get:

➡️ Kairos timing windows to plan entries before the crowd moves
➡️ A full DCA Targets page with levels mapped for this cycle
➡️ Exclusive member videos breaking down charts in plain English
➡️ A private Telegram community where conviction is shared daily
➡️ A dedicated Macro Analysis page with regularly updated analysis and monthly reports

Tools in one place… crack on.

How Well Do You Know Your Crypto Slang?

In a 3-part podcast episode series on the Crypto Unplugged podcast, Doc breaks down the most common terms and slang words used by members of the crypto community. He also shares his own experiences coming to terms with these expressions when he first started learning about crypto.

Whether you're a seasoned crypto investor or just getting started, this podcast is a great way to learn the lingo and stay up-to-date on the latest trends.

Listen to the podcast episodes here:

Part 2

Part 3

Disclaimer

Please note that the information presented in this review is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice. It is important to understand that cryptocurrency assets are known for their high market volatility, and engaging in buying, selling, or trading them involves substantial financial risks. It is recommended to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. The responsibility for any financial consequences resulting from your actions lies solely with you.

Do you own research.