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 agency also cautions against organizations demanding payment through methods such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

As bait, the researchers created a fake startup, Ballena Azul, which pretended to focus on decentralized finance for large holders of cryptocurrency, which North Koreans have been known to target to fund the country’s regime. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026

Nevertheless, that’s when Senate Majority Leader John Thune will try to consider bipartisan bills on cryptocurrency regulation and college sports, and possibly take the next step in a party-line spending bill that could include voter ID language. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Michael Saylor, Strategy’s executive chairman, began adding the cryptocurrency to the balance sheet of his cybersecurity firm, then known as MicroStrategy, in 2020. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 10 Aug. 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