cryptocurrency
noun
cryp·to·cur·ren·cy
ˌkrip-tō-ˈkər-ən(t)-sē 
-ˈkə-rən(t)-sē
plural cryptocurrencies
: any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually has no central issuing or regulating authority but instead uses a decentralized system to record transactions and manage the issuance of new units, and that relies on cryptography to prevent counterfeiting and fraudulent transactions
Virtual currency bitcoin hit the mainstream in 2014. Bitcoin ATMs started springing up all over the world … , allowing people to exchange cash for the cryptocurrency, a secure digital payment outside of conventional financial institutions.—
Brenda Poppy
Brenda Poppy
Examples of cryptocurrency in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The mayhem includes murder, cryptocurrency, bribery and blackmail.
—Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
At time of writing, Tether is the third largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, with a market value of $107 billion.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024
For a same-day payout, the most effective banking methods are cryptocurrency, Zimpler, and MatchPay.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
In that same period, affected consumers reported surging losses through bank transfers and cryptocurrency transactions.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
Since then, most people in China have had no way of buying bitcoin, ethereum, XRP XRP 0.0% or any other cryptocurrency.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
By 2020, Turkey had more people using cryptocurrency than almost anywhere else in the world.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Just last week, leaked photos revealed that a cryptocurrency company Copper, chaired by British politician Lord Philip Hammond, hosted a private London bash in March where guests were served sushi off the bodies of half-naked models.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
What if artificial intelligence combines with cryptocurrency?
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
At time of writing, Tether is the third largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, with a market value of $107 billion.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024
For a same-day payout, the most effective banking methods are cryptocurrency, Zimpler, and MatchPay.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
In that same period, affected consumers reported surging losses through bank transfers and cryptocurrency transactions.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
Since then, most people in China have had no way of buying bitcoin, ethereum, XRP XRP 0.0% or any other cryptocurrency.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
By 2020, Turkey had more people using cryptocurrency than almost anywhere else in the world.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Just last week, leaked photos revealed that a cryptocurrency company Copper, chaired by British politician Lord Philip Hammond, hosted a private London bash in March where guests were served sushi off the bodies of half-naked models.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
What if artificial intelligence combines with cryptocurrency?
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cryptocurrency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
2009, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to cryptocurrency
Dictionary Entries Near cryptocurrency
Cite this Entry
“Cryptocurrency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptocurrency. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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