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

Simply put, the FOMO mindset that has driven crypto for so long has landed in the precious metals arena. —Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Trump boasted about American dominance in the sector, and other major crypto figures, like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Binance founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, made public appearances at Davos. —Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

Some crypto companies, especially Coinbase, have pushed back against that claim. —Talia Kaplan, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026

And even as population growth, crypto mining, data centers and corporate relocations have contributed to surging electric demand, Texas has invested in fortifying its grid over the past five years. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 22 Jan. 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