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

Perps have become one of crypto’s major trading tools. —Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 29 May 2026

Those opposing him include Grow California, associated with billionaires in the tech and crypto sector, and Keep California Golden, a coalition representing Realtors, correctional peace officers and the building industry. —Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 May 2026

Maria Clara Cobo writes about the latest twist in the often opaque world of crypto, where anonymous actors are using a novel legal approach to challenge the ownership of Bitcoin held in long-dormant digital wallets. —Maria Clara Cobo, Bloomberg, 28 May 2026

Some of the money went into crypto and personal accounts. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 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