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

The world’s largest cryptocurrency is currently sitting near historic lows, but Fundstrat says it could be poised for a big swing, predicting a move of around 30% or more over the next two months. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

The individual pretended to be from the Federal Trade Commission and told the victims to take funds out of their account and put it into a cryptocurrency kiosk, staying on the phone with them to avoid detection by bank tellers, officials said. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Trump earned more than $526 million from the sale of cryptocurrency tokens tied to World Liberty Financial last year alone, according to disclosure forms. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Coinbase executives are among those expected at a gathering of cryptocurrency and prediction market chiefs at the White House on Wednesday. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 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