cryptocurrency

[ krip-toh-kur-uhn-see, -kuhr- ]

noun

1. currency that exists only in electronic form, operates on a decentralized system of exchange, and uses advanced cryptography for security, or any individual currency of this type: Compare digital currency ( def ), virtual currency ( def ).altcoin ( def ), bitcoin ( def 1 ).

   Some expect cryptocurrency to become the dominant means of financing trade between markets.

   This particular cryptocurrency has a huge following among retail traders.

adjective

1. being or relating to virtual currency that uses advanced cryptography for security:

   They are one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges on the internet.

   She got caught running a cryptocurrency scam.

Usage Note

What's the difference between cryptocurrency, virtual currency, and digital currency? See digital currency ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptocurrency¹

First recorded in 2005–10; crypto- + currency

Example Sentences

Since then, there have been growing concerns that the Nigerian government had intentions to regulate cryptocurrency in the country.

From TechCrunch

In addition to prevailing economic uncertainty, many institutional investors are dipping their toes into the cryptocurrency, and even PayPal began offering customers the ability to buy Bitcoin late last year.

From Singularity Hub 

All deals involving cryptocurrency are now “prohibited” with “severe regulatory sanctions” awaiting erring outfits.

From Quartz

His tweets also are being credited in the past week with driving up the price of Dogecoin, a low-valued, meme-based cryptocurrency that started as a joke between two engineers.

From Washington Post

It’s not even worth comparing that paltry performance to stocks or cryptocurrency.

From Fortune

That option: Bitcoin— a decentralized, mathematically-mined cryptocurrency created in 2009.

From The Daily Beast

If you dare to go on, be warned: you will never say “cryptocurrency” the same.

From The Daily Beast

Compared to Liberty, Bitcoin is an even more decentralized type of digital currency known as a cryptocurrency.

From The Daily Beast