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

Waters and Warren together have called for the SEC to probe the Trump family’s crypto ventures. —Jason Brett, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

The Crypto Industry’s Political Spending: Federal lawmakers who benefited from crypto largess in the 2024 election are speedily advancing the industry’s agenda. —Cornell Watson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

With President Donald Trump now publicly embracing crypto and bipartisan momentum building in Congress, lawmakers have a rare chance to pass the country’s first major crypto legislation. —Nik Popli, Time, 26 Apr. 2025

Few crypto experts have the legal knowledge necessary to deal with the regulatory context; the majority have backgrounds in trading or investing. —Kody Boye, USA Today, 26 Apr. 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