crypto

1 of 2

noun

cryp·​to ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō 

plural cryptos

1

: cryptocurrency

A specialty finance firm … is the first to offer brokers the option to get their commissions paid up front, in crypto, underscoring how digital coins are becoming a more mainstream part of financial transactions.

—Jennifer Schonberger

—often used before another noun

crypto assets

the crypto market

2

: cryptography sense 2

3

: a person who adheres or belongs secretly to a party, sect, or other group

And jaws dropped, he said, when he explained the theory that Christopher Columbus was a "crypto" or hidden Jew.

—Kim Vo

crypto-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or before a vowel crypt-

1

: hidden : covered

cryptogenic

2

: hidden by dissembling : unavowed

crypto-fascist

3

: cryptographic

cryptanalysis

Examples of crypto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Prominent crypto investors have added to the attention surrounding Zcash. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Modern crypto-agility also requires organizations to answer operational questions in near-real time. — Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Heavy machinery is seen on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the construction site for Core Scientific, a crypto and AI data center company expanding its presence in Dalton, Georgia. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Just two days after the Clarity Act failed to advance in the Senate, the Securities and Exchange Commission expanded its crypto rulebook under its existing authority. — Talia Kaplan, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

(senses 1 & 2) by shortening; (sense 3) independent use of crypto-

Combining form

combining form from Greek kryptós "hidden, secret" — more at crypt

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Medical Definition

crypto

noun

cryp·​to ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō 

: cryptosporidium sense 2

also : cryptosporidiosis