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
Brenda PoppyExamples of cryptocurrency in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The move showed the evolving view of the cryptocurrency to a store of value during dysfunctional geopolitical times, not unlike gold, which rose to a record on Wednesday.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Robinhood’s primary business focuses on equities and cryptocurrency trading, having launched operations in the UK and the European Union in late 2023.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
In the other, seniors are contacted on the phone with a fake investment opportunity, and might be pressured into staying on the line with scammers as they’re instructed in how to buy into it with cryptocurrency at a mobile kiosk and on how to send it to the scammer’s digital wallet.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
María Eugenia Gómez, executive director and founder of Cellular Wholesales, began using a cryptocurrency over a year ago at the request of her Latin American clients, who are cell phone distributors.
—Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptocurrency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Robinhood’s primary business focuses on equities and cryptocurrency trading, having launched operations in the UK and the European Union in late 2023.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
In the other, seniors are contacted on the phone with a fake investment opportunity, and might be pressured into staying on the line with scammers as they’re instructed in how to buy into it with cryptocurrency at a mobile kiosk and on how to send it to the scammer’s digital wallet.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
María Eugenia Gómez, executive director and founder of Cellular Wholesales, began using a cryptocurrency over a year ago at the request of her Latin American clients, who are cell phone distributors.
—Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptocurrency
Cite this Entry
“Cryptocurrency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptocurrency. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share