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

Also on Tuesday are earnings from GameStop, and Cramer noted that the retailer has made heavy investments in cryptocurrency. —Julie Coleman, CNBC, 6 June 2025

The marquee cryptocurrency and the U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.3% and 0.4% respectively on Wednesday. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 June 2025

That’s when an app or website uses your computer to run the computation-intensive processes that produce cryptocurrency without your knowledge or permission. —PC Magazine, 3 June 2025

Coinbase, the nation’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, will be leasing two floors and taking up 58,600 square feet, according to a news release from Trinity Partners, which handles leasing for the building. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025

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