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crypto
/ˈkrɪptoʊ/
digital or virtual currency using cryptography
He invested in crypto to diversify his portfolio.
He bought cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to spread his investments.
technical
Digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank.
Bitcoin is the most well-known type of crypto.
Bitcoin is the most famous cryptocurrency.
Short for 'cryptocurrency'. Often used in finance and technology contexts.
Technology
technical
Short for 'cryptography', the practice of securing communication and data through encryption.
Crypto ensures that online transactions are secure.
Cryptography protects the security of online transactions.
Less common usage in modern contexts.
Collocations
crypto marketthe trading environment for cryptocurrenciescrypto walleta digital wallet for storing cryptocurrenciescrypto miningthe process of validating transactions and adding them to the blockchain
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion
'Crypto' primarily refers to cryptocurrencies, not cryptography, in everyday conversation.
Gold Rule
Capitalization
Do not capitalize 'crypto' unless it starts a sentence or is part of a proper noun.
Word Origin
Shortened from 'cryptocurrency', which combines 'crypto-' (from Greek 'kryptos', meaning 'hidden') and 'currency'. Popularized in the 2010s with the rise of Bitcoin.
Usage Notes
In modern usage, 'crypto' almost always refers to cryptocurrencies unless specified otherwise. The term 'cryptography' is still used in technical contexts.
Word Breakdown
crypto
short for 'cryptocurrency'
rootEnglish Dictionary