crypto

1 of 2

noun

cryp·​to ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō 

plural cryptos

1

: 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

2

: cryptography sense 2

3

: 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

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

This post was originally published on December 22 Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, has helped the bitcoin price surge to record highs this year with plans to establish a U.S. bitcoin strategic reserve. Unlock over $3,000 in NFT, web3 and crypto perks — Apply now! —Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Federal banking regulators should focus on low-income consumers with high debt and crypto holdings, the researchers added. —Christopher White, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024

Southern California men indicted in alleged $22-million crypto fraud case. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024

The rise in crypto heists comes as bitcoin BTC= jumped 140% this year to surpass $100,000 mark, drawing institutional participation and backing from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. —Medha Singh, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

(sense 1) independent use of crypto-; (senses 2 & 3) by shortening

Combining form

combining form from Greek kryptós "hidden, secret" — more at crypt

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

crypto

noun

cryp·​to ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō 

: cryptosporidium sense 2

also : cryptosporidiosis