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

Customers who use the crypto payment option would pay a transaction fee, similar to a credit card. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2025

While Raymond Garcia continued to hold the wife and son hostage, prosecutors said Isiah Garcia forced the father to drive three hours to a family cabin to retrieve a hard-drive-like crypto wallet, which contained additional cryptocurrency funds. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025

Earlier this year, lawyers accused Milei himself of engaging in a crypto scam known as a rug pull. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025

Garner’s next project is The Altruists, a new Netflix series based on the collapse of the crypto exchange FTX and its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried. —Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 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