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

Do not send these people money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. —Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Crypto staking involves temporarily locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency to participate in a blockchain network. —Julia Shapero, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025

Venture capitalist David Sacks, recently named as President Donald Trump’s artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar, is a limited partner in projects by local developer Brick & Timber Collective, according to loan documents and people familiar with the matter. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025

What To Know Reports of the attack first emerged when cryptocurrency influencer Nick Johnson posted a thread on X, formerly Twitter, outlining the scam. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 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