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

Another person from the United States, Ciandrea Bryne Davis, has also been charged for their role in transferring money via cryptocurrency as a part of the conspiracy, officials say. —David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025

On Binance, the first cryptocurrency exchange to list $WLFI, the token traded between about 30 cents and 20 cents each. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

No cryptocurrency or alternative payment methods are available. —PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025

Teams coming from traditional finance often underestimate how fast narratives shift in cryptocurrency. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 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