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

Bitfarms — Shares plunged 14% as investors reacted to the cryptocurrency miner’s plan to issue $300 million in convertible senior notes maturing in 2031. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025

Forbes reported in September that the president's net worth grew by $3 billion over the last year, thanks mainly to cryptocurrency, a meme coin and his international licensing business. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025

Banks and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase also reported issues, as did several US airlines. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

Each episode sees Bingham and Kulik chase down a different scam, ranging from a $53,000 PayPal refund scheme, a $500,000 cryptocurrency sham and an Arkansas scam ring that has stolen more than $80,000 from local seniors. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Oct. 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