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 cryptocurrency is now down 17% in a month. —Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025

The Washington Post reported that according to their sources close to the situation, a person had called the airport’s air traffic control tower and requested a $500,000 cryptocurrency payment. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025

Its embrace of stablecoins — a type of cryptocurrency whose value is tethered to fiat currencies such as the US dollar — aligns with growing adoption of alternative payment and monetary systems in countries like Nigeria and Kenya where regulators are fine-tuning policy to meet the moment. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025

The cryptocurrency is known for its price volatility, but some have gotten rich investing in the coin at the right time. —Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 31 Oct. 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