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

Securities generally include investments with expectations for profits, but crypto platforms have resisted application of securities law. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 May 2025

Winning the White House was supposed to transform the crypto sector, but for much of 2025, that promise has fallen flat. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 9 May 2025

Read more about tech and crypto from CNBC Pro This self-driving car technology stock could pop by more than 400%, say three analysts Looking for alternatives to Nvidia? —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 9 May 2025

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, too, had planned to advance legislation this week to create a regulatory framework for stablecoin, a type of crypto linked to the value of another asset like the dollar, in order to remain stable. —Riley Beggin, USA Today, 8 May 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