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

Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, experienced some modest volatility, going from roughly $4,600 at the time of the announcement to roughly $4,430 and then climbing back to approximately $4,620. —Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

The organizers recruited people for the tasks via the Telegram messaging app and paid them in cryptocurrency, the statement said. —Reuters, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025

Does cryptocurrency have a place in your retirement portfolio? —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025

There are scenarios in which the cryptocurrency exchange or financial institution involved in your cryptocurrency losses may be held accountable for their actions/inaction. —William Jones, USA Today, 16 Sep. 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