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

Less financially experienced individuals are attracted to the esoteric nature of crypto, along with the potential to make big profits, without fully understanding the risk. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Atkins, a former Republican SEC commissioner, has been supportive of bringing more regulatory clarity to the crypto market. —Bob Pisani, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024

Trump, meanwhile, has been eager to claim credit for the crypto’s recent successes. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 7 Dec. 2024

Critics like Dennis Kelleher of the advocacy group Better Markets are concerned the latest rally around crypto could create a short-term boom over the next couple of years but could lead to a catastrophic financial crisis. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 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