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Crypto Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet across crypto. Browse by category or search, then dig deeper in our guides.

B

BitcoinFundamentals
The first and largest cryptocurrency, launched in 2009.
BlockchainFundamentals
A shared, append-only ledger maintained across many computers.

C

Cold StorageSecurity
Keeping private keys completely offline.

D

DAOFundamentals
A group governed by smart contracts and token-holder votes.
DeFiDeFi
Financial services built on blockchains without banks.

E

EthereumFundamentals
A programmable blockchain for smart contracts and apps.

G

GasFundamentals
The fee paid to process a blockchain transaction.

H

HalvingFundamentals
A scheduled cut to the block reward, slowing new supply.

L

Layer 2Fundamentals
A network on top of a base chain for faster, cheaper transactions.

M

Market CapMarkets
Price multiplied by circulating supply.
MiningFundamentals
Using computing power to validate blocks and earn coins.

N

NFTNFTs
A unique blockchain token representing ownership of an item.

P

Private KeySecurity
The secret that proves ownership of crypto at an address.
Proof of StakeFundamentals
Consensus secured by validators staking tokens.
Proof of WorkFundamentals
Consensus secured by miners solving hard puzzles.

S

Seed PhraseSecurity
A 12–24 word backup that can restore a whole wallet.
Smart ContractFundamentals
Self-executing code deployed on a blockchain.
StablecoinDeFi
A crypto token designed to hold a steady value.
StakingDeFi
Locking tokens to help secure a network and earn rewards.

W

WalletSecurity
Software or hardware that stores the keys to your crypto.