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

Rhind says the event contract ETFs appear to be taking a similar path as crypto, gold and options markets. —Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026

And for Michael Kosta, who made the best argument for alternative energy this Earth Day, getting Ryan to riff on the evils of crypto was a true get. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026

How the PayPal refund scam tricked Brian Oliver had never heard of a crypto ATM before that day. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Holder transferred more from her crypto wallets, eventually sending almost $300,000 to 14 different wallets tied to the scammers. —Anna Schecter, CBS News, 23 Apr. 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