cryptocurrency

noun

cryp·​to·​cur·​ren·​cy ˌkrip-tō-ˈkər-ən(t)-sē 

-ˈkə-rən(t)-sē

plural cryptocurrencies

: any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually has no central issuing or regulating authority but instead uses a decentralized system to record transactions and manage the issuance of new units, and that relies on cryptography to prevent counterfeiting and fraudulent transactions

Virtual currency bitcoin hit the mainstream in 2014. Bitcoin ATMs started springing up all over the world … , allowing people to exchange cash for the cryptocurrency, a secure digital payment outside of conventional financial institutions.

—Brenda Poppy

Examples of cryptocurrency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

See also: Trump’s cryptocurrency projects, which are hardly veiled—and successful—attempts to enrich his family. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025

Critics say the Trump family's expanding business interests in the Gulf raise ethical red flags, especially given lavish gifts like a $400 million plane from Qatar and a $2 billion cryptocurrency deal linked to Trump's crypto firm, World Liberty Financial. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Through an investment firm, the United Arab Emirates put $2 billion into the Trump family’s new cryptocurrency outfit, World Liberty Financial. —Eric Lipton, New York Times, 14 May 2025

In a watershed moment, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase just joined the S&P 500 index, and its stock is popping. —Quartz Staff, Quartz, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

crypto- + currency

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cryptocurrency

• eurocurrency
• concurrency
• currency

Kids Definition

cryptocurrency

noun

cryp·​to·​cur·​ren·​cy

ˌkrip-tō-ˈkər-ən(t)-sē,

-ˈkə-rən(t)-sē

: any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually uses a decentralized system for issuing new units and reording transactions, and that relies on cryptography to prevent fraudulent transactions