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

The hackers — called ShinyHunters, believed to be mostly Western teenagers behind several other high-profile attacks — demanded crypto payments to unlock the system, and threatened to leak private data. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 8 May 2026

Last week, lawmakers struck a compromise on key language proposed in the crypto legislation regarding interest paid to users on stablecoin balances and activity. —Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 8 May 2026

However, victims occasionally stored their crypto in hardware wallets, physical devices that couldn’t be remotely accessed. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 8 May 2026

Focusing on a crypto heist, director Ronan Corrigan’s thriller hits theaters next week after premiering last year at SXSW. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 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