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

Elbakyan’s case also illustrates cryptocurrency's particular appeal to younger generations facing economic and political displacement. —Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

The leading cryptocurrency has not made a new record high since May 22, according to CoinMetrics data. —Jesse Pound, CNBC, 30 June 2025

Strategy’s market cap of more than $100 billion far outstrips the roughly $60 billion value of the cryptocurrency on its balance sheet. —Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025

Detainees would be allowed to escape and given full citizenship after investing a minimum $500,000 in $TRUMP cryptocurrency. —Bob Morris, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 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