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

Bitcoin could hit 100,000 by next year, VanEck's Matthew Sigel forecast on Friday, highlighting that fiscal worries were supporting the world's largest cryptocurrency. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026

The vote demonstrated that cryptocurrency regulation cannot be separated from questions of political integrity, institutional authority and public confidence. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

The group has been spreading malware to IT job seekers by reaching out on social media and through online job platforms, and then pretending to be official job recruiters for AI and cryptocurrency firms. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

The event was organized by the Future of Life Institute, a nonprofit that was primarily funded by a donation of more than $650 million in 2021 from Vitalik Buterin, a wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneur. — Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 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