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

Examples of cryptocurrency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This year, however, the focus is on his investments in cryptocurrency and other related ventures that have powered an increase of his income by nearly four times since 2024. — Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Ask you to buy gold, gift cards or cryptocurrency and send it to them. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Lavon received about $518 in cryptocurrency for these assignments, according to the indictment, for a total of about $1,379. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

The scammers demand payment via wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency ATMs, threatening to stall or cancel projects if applicants don’t pay immediately. — Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

crypto- + currency

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cryptocurrency

• eurocurrency
• concurrency
• currency

Kids Definition

cryptocurrency

noun

cryp·​to·​cur·​ren·​cy ˌkrip-tō-ˈkər-ən(t)-sē 

-ˈkə-rən(t)-sē

: any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually uses a decentralized system for issuing new units and reording transactions, and that relies on cryptography to prevent fraudulent transactions