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

Faith amid the dip While some churchgoers puzzle over what to make of crypto, Renee has found that at least one pulpit is welcoming. —Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026

Trump and his advisors, including AI and crypto czar David Sacks, have argued that various state laws are a burden to innovation. —Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026

The craze of public companies that once sought to mimic Strategy by stocking up on bitcoin as a company treasury asset were the essence of the crypto market last summer. —Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026

Paradigm led Kalshi’s $185 million funding round announced last June, while Andreessen Horowitz, where Quintenz worked for three years as head of crypto policy, announced an investment in Kalshi in October. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026

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