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 signing marked a major step in U.S. crypto oversight and signaled the country’s push to lead in digital finance. —Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025

Those include a bill to regulate stablecoins , a crypto market structure bill, and a bill prohibiting the U.S. Federal Reserve from issuing its own digital currency. —Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 18 July 2025

More crypto legislation is expected to follow the GENIUS Act. —Rafael Nam, NPR, 17 July 2025

After some procedural stumbles tied to intra-GOP squabbling, three major crypto bill all cleared the House on Thursday. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 17 July 2025

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