30 clear definitions
Crypto & Digital Assets, explained simply.
Navigate the world of digital assets with clear definitions of Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain, DeFi protocols, and more. Whether you're evaluating your first crypto purchase or understanding tax implications, these terms cut through the hype to give you the facts.
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A–ZAirdrop
A crypto airdrop is a distribution of free tokens to wallet addresses, typically used by projects to build community, reward early users, or decentralize token ownership.
Altcoin
An altcoin is any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, ranging from major projects like Ethereum to thousands of smaller tokens.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency, created in 2009 as a decentralized digital currency that operates without a central bank or single administrator.
Blockchain
A blockchain is a distributed, immutable digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers, forming the foundation of all cryptocurrencies.
Centralized vs. Decentralized Exchange
Centralized exchanges (CEXs) are managed by companies and hold your funds, while decentralized exchanges (DEXs) let you trade directly from your wallet using smart contracts.
Cold Storage
Cold storage refers to keeping cryptocurrency private keys completely offline, providing maximum security against hacking and online threats.
Crypto Exchange
A crypto exchange is a platform where you can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, functioning similarly to a stock brokerage for digital assets.
Crypto Regulation
Crypto regulation refers to the evolving legal frameworks governments worldwide are developing to oversee cryptocurrency markets, exchanges, and digital asset activities.
Crypto Tax Reporting
Crypto tax reporting involves tracking and reporting all taxable cryptocurrency transactions to comply with IRS requirements, including trades, income, and dispositions.
Cryptocurrency Wallet
A cryptocurrency wallet is a tool that stores your private keys and lets you send, receive, and manage your digital assets securely.
DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)
A DAO is an organization governed by smart contracts and token-holder voting rather than traditional management hierarchies.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance)
DeFi refers to financial services built on blockchain technology that operate without traditional intermediaries like banks, brokers, or exchanges.
Dollar-Cost Averaging (Crypto)
Dollar-cost averaging in crypto means investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule, reducing the impact of extreme volatility on your overall entry price.
Ethereum
Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps), powered by its native cryptocurrency Ether (ETH).
Gas Fees
Gas fees are transaction costs paid to blockchain validators for processing and confirming transactions on networks like Ethereum.
Hot Wallet
A hot wallet is a cryptocurrency wallet that remains connected to the internet, offering convenience for frequent transactions at the cost of increased security risk.
Liquidity Pool
A liquidity pool is a collection of funds locked in a smart contract that enables decentralized trading, lending, and other DeFi functions.
Market Cap (Crypto)
Market cap in crypto is the total value of a cryptocurrency, calculated by multiplying the current price by the circulating supply of tokens.
Mining (Cryptocurrency)
Crypto mining is the process of using computational power to validate blockchain transactions and earn new cryptocurrency as a reward.
NFT (Non-Fungible Token)
An NFT is a unique digital token on a blockchain that represents ownership of a specific asset, such as digital art, music, or collectibles.
Private Key
A private key is a secret cryptographic code that proves ownership of your cryptocurrency and authorizes transactions from your wallet.
Rug Pull
A rug pull is a crypto scam where developers abandon a project and run away with investor funds, often after artificially inflating the token's price.
Seed Phrase
A seed phrase (or recovery phrase) is a sequence of 12 or 24 words that serves as the master backup for all private keys in a cryptocurrency wallet.
Smart Contract
A smart contract is a self-executing program stored on a blockchain that automatically enforces the terms of an agreement when predetermined conditions are met.
Stablecoin
A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value by pegging its price to an external asset like the US dollar.
Staking
Staking is the process of locking up cryptocurrency to help secure a proof-of-stake blockchain network, earning rewards in return.
Token vs. Coin
A coin operates on its own blockchain (like Bitcoin or Ethereum), while a token is built on top of an existing blockchain platform.
Tokenomics
Tokenomics refers to the economic design of a cryptocurrency, including supply mechanics, distribution, utility, and incentive structures that drive its value.
Web3
Web3 is the vision for a decentralized internet built on blockchain technology, where users own their data, identity, and digital assets.
Yield Farming
Yield farming is a DeFi strategy of moving crypto assets between protocols to maximize returns through trading fees, interest, and token rewards.