crypto

1 of 2

noun

cryp·​to ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō 

plural cryptos

1

: cryptocurrency

A specialty finance firm … is the first to offer brokers the option to get their commissions paid up front, in crypto, underscoring how digital coins are becoming a more mainstream part of financial transactions.

—Jennifer Schonberger

—often used before another noun

crypto assets

the crypto market

2

: cryptography sense 2

3

: a person who adheres or belongs secretly to a party, sect, or other group

And jaws dropped, he said, when he explained the theory that Christopher Columbus was a "crypto" or hidden Jew.

—Kim Vo

crypto-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or before a vowel crypt-

1

: hidden : covered

cryptogenic

2

: hidden by dissembling : unavowed

crypto-fascist

3

: cryptographic

cryptanalysis

Examples of crypto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This approach is meant to reduce risk and prevent the kind of collapses that shook the crypto world in recent years. —Drew O'Connor, The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 2025

Beijing's testbed for stablecoin Chinese government has traditionally imposed stringent restrictions on crypto activity, citing concerns over financial stability, fraud and capital flight. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025

Yet Stake represents just a fraction of the crypto gambling ecosystem, according to Yield Sec's analysis. —Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

High-profile auction purchases are the latest big-money strategy in the corporate PR playbook (see crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun buying Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous banana artwork for $6.2 million, before eating it, last year). —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

(senses 1 & 2) by shortening; (sense 3) independent use of crypto-

Combining form

combining form from Greek kryptós "hidden, secret" — more at crypt

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Medical Definition

crypto

noun

cryp·​to ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō 

: cryptosporidium sense 2

also : cryptosporidiosis