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 prison sentences relate to the first five of those charges, while the men were fined £80,000 ($110,000) each in relation to the sixth (the cryptocurrency activities). — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Jamf observed roughly 80 cryptocurrency wallet extensions and 14 password managers in the target list. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Coinbase Global , Robinhood — Stocks tied to cryptocurrency jumped as bitcoin touched its highest level since June 16. — Sarah Min,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Nvidia has evolved from graphics to gaming, scientific computing, cryptocurrency, and now AI infrastructure. — Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 21 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