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 victory comes as Parliament’s standards watchdog probes Farage’s undeclared multimillion-dollar crypto donation and his finances with controversial ally George Cottrell, scrutiny that could yet force him from office. — Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Traditional brokerages are now absorbing crypto as another asset class, integrating it into their platforms and driving down fees. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

This week's interview with Tyler Page, CEO of Cipher Digital (CIFR), one of the companies that recently made the big pivot from crypto-to-AI power and infrastructure. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Instead, co-founders Daryl Xu, Viktoriya Hying and Sean Geng—who met while working at crypto giant Coinbase—started the company in 2024 with a focus on video games. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 11 Aug. 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