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

The event highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges facing Israel’s crypto sector. —Tomer Niv, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Coinbase — The crypto exchange gained 1% after KULR Technology Group secured a $20 million credit facility with Coinbase. —Jesse Pound, CNBC, 8 July 2025

Cryptic! Having been named chairman at Cantor, Brandon wasted no time continuing his father’s work of positioning the firm at the center of the growing crypto landscape and deepening its ties with the stablecoin company Tether. —Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 7 July 2025

Last month, the team flew to Bermuda, a British overseas territory that has marketed itself to digital-asset companies with one of the world's most comprehensive crypto frameworks -- and exposed itself to new threats in the process. —Myles Miller Bloomberg News, arkansasonline.com, 7 July 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