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

For Trump, there’s more to gain from crypto than just political points. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025

Fed Chair Jerome Powell also said in Congressional testimony on Wednesday the Fed doesn’t plan to get in the way of crypto banking and is now granting banks permission to serve cryptocurrency customers. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

With a growing number of crypto kiosks at grocery stores and gas stations across the country, lawmakers and advocates say more should be done to protect consumers. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025

For the full year, total crypto funding ended at $10 billion over 1,940 deals, down slightly from $10.3 billion across 1,936 deals in 2023. —Ryan Lawler, Axios, 13 Feb. 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