Last Updated on December 19, 2024 by Olga
With so many new crypto terms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of acronyms and jargon. From bitcoin slang like Sats and HODL to phrases like to the moon meaning crypto, there’s a lot to take in. In this article, we’ll break down the most important crypto slang and help you understand the lingo used by seasoned investors. Soon, you’ll be able to spot FUD from a mile away, and confidently discuss your favorite tokens.
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Crypto Slang Term #1: HODL
Definition: A term originally derived from a typo of “hold” and used to describe the strategy of holding onto your cryptocurrency rather than selling it during market downturns. It’s often used as a term of encouragement for long-term investors. By the way, don’t miss our great article on what does HODL mean!
Example: “I’m HODLing my Bitcoin for the long run!”
Crypto Slang Term #2: FOMO
Definition: Short for “Fear Of Missing Out.” It refers to the anxiety investors feel when they think they are missing out on a profitable opportunity, often leading them to make hasty, irrational decisions.
Example: “I just bought some ETH because of major FOMO when it started skyrocketing.”
Crypto Slang Term #3: FUD
Definition: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. This term is used to describe misinformation or negative news that causes panic and affects the market.
Example: “Don’t listen to all the FUD — Bitcoin is still a strong investment.”
Crypto Slang Term #4: To the Moon
Definition: A popular phrase in crypto language that refers to a cryptocurrency’s price shooting up rapidly, often in an exaggerated or enthusiastic manner.
Example: “Bitcoin is going to the moon! Have you seen the price lately?”
Crypto Slang Term #5: Sats
Definition: Short for “Satoshis,” the smallest unit of Bitcoin (named after Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto). There are 100 million sats in one Bitcoin.
Example: “I bought some sats when Bitcoin was priced at $30k.”
Crypto Slang Term #6: Altcoin
Definition: Any cryptocurrency that isn’t Bitcoin. The term comes from “alternative coins.”
Example: “Ethereum, Litecoin, and Solana are popular altcoins.”
Crypto Slang Term #7: Bagholder
Definition: An investor who is stuck holding onto a cryptocurrency that has dropped significantly in value.
Example: “I’m not a bagholder — I sold my coins before the crash.”
Crypto Slang Term #8: Pump and Dump
Definition: A market manipulation strategy where the price of a cryptocurrency is artificially inflated (pumped) and then sold off (dumped) for profit.
Example: “The pump and dump scheme hurt a lot of small investors last year.”
Crypto Slang Term #9: Whale
Definition: A person or entity that holds a large amount of cryptocurrency and has the ability to influence market prices.
Example: “That whale just dumped a massive amount of Bitcoin — the price is falling.”
Crypto Slang Term #10: Shilling
Definition: The act of promoting a cryptocurrency (often excessively) to increase its price or attract new investors.
Example: “That influencer has been shilling a new coin all over social media.”
Crypto Slang Term #11: Rug Pull
Definition: A rug pull is a type of scam in the crypto space where the developers of a project suddenly withdraw all funds from the liquidity pool or project wallet, leaving investors with worthless assets.
Example: “Be careful when investing in new tokens—some projects are just a rug pull waiting to happen.”
Take a look at the latest statistics on Rug Pulls — the numbers are alarming and really worth considering before making any investments.
Source: https://www.comparitech.com
Crypto Slang Term #12: DApp
Definition: Decentralized Application. These are apps that run on a blockchain network, not relying on centralized servers or authorities.
Example: “I love using that DApp for my NFT trading.”
Crypto Slang Term #13: Smart Contract
Definition: A self-executing contract with the terms of the agreement directly written into lines of code.
Example: “The smart contract automatically transfers funds once the terms are met.”
Crypto Slang Term #14: Staking
Definition: Locking up your cryptocurrency to support the operations of a blockchain network in exchange for rewards or interest.
Example: “I’m staking my ETH to earn rewards on the network.”
Crypto Slang Term #15: Gas Fees
Definition: The fees paid to miners or validators to process transactions on a blockchain.
Example: “The gas fees on Ethereum are really high right now.”
Crypto Slang Term #16: Bullish
Definition: When someone is optimistic about the price of a cryptocurrency and believes it will rise.
Example: “I’m feeling bullish on Bitcoin after the recent breakout.”
Crypto Slang Term #17: Bearish
Definition: The opposite of bullish, meaning pessimistic about the price and expecting it to fall.
Example: “The market is looking bearish after that correction.”
Crypto Slang Term #18: Hypecoin
Definition: A cryptocurrency that gains attention due to strong promotion or excitement, but may lack long-term value.
Example: “Doge was once a hypecoin, but it’s gained more legitimacy over time.”
Crypto Slang Term #19: AMA
Definition: Refers to interactive “Ask Me Anything” live session, where individuals (often project leaders or influencers) answer questions from the community, typically hosted on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, or Telegram.
Example: “The project’s CEO is doing an AMA later today; it’ll be interesting to hear their vision for the next year.”
Crypto Slang Term #20: DYOR
Definition: DYOR simply means “Do Your Own Research”. A reminder or recommendation to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions, rather than blindly following others’ advice.
Example: “Always DYOR before investing in a new token, some projects may seem promising but lack solid fundamentals.”
Crypto Slang Term #21: Hacker
Definition: A person who attempts to gain unauthorized access to cryptocurrency wallets or exchanges.
Example: “There’s always a risk of a hacker attacking your wallet, so use proper security measures.”
Crypto Slang Term #22: Token
Definition: A type of cryptocurrency issued on top of an existing blockchain, often representing assets, stakes, or even voting power.
Example: “I bought some tokens from the latest ICO.”
Crypto Slang Term #23: ICO
Definition: Initial Coin Offering. This is a fundraising method where new cryptocurrency projects sell their tokens to investors in exchange for funds.
Example: “The ICO was a huge success — the token price surged after the launch.”
Crypto Slang Term #24: Apeing
Definition: Apeing refers to the act of impulsively buying into a new crypto project or token without conducting proper research first, often driven by FOMO.
Example: “He went all in on that new token without checking the project details—classic case of apeing.”
Crypto Slang Term #25: KYC
Definition: A process used by crypto exchanges and platforms to verify the identity of their users, typically involving submitting personal information and documents. It’s aimed at preventing fraud, money laundering, and complying with regulations.
Example: “Before withdrawing funds, you’ll need to complete KYC to comply with the exchange’s security requirements.”
Conclusion
The world of cryptocurrency is fast-paced, full of innovation, and yes, packed with its own unique jargon! By learning key crypto terms, you’ll be able to communicate like a pro.
And as you get familiar with these terms, you’ll also start to encounter new opportunities within the crypto space, like crypto loans. Crypto loan allows you to use your digital assets as collateral, offering access to liquidity without needing to sell your holdings. With a crypto loan, you can:
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- Freely use the loan funds for anything you need, whether it’s for purchases, reinvestments, or other expenses.
- Repayment is flexible — pay back when it suits you, whether in a month, a year, or anywhere in between.
- No KYC necessary — simply provide your phone number to access funds.
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