Crypto Glossary
Cryptocurrency
Digital money that lives on a blockchain instead of in a bank account.
Definition
Cryptocurrency is a kind of digital money that exists on a public network rather than inside a bank. You hold it in a wallet, and you can send it directly to anyone else's wallet without asking permission.
There are thousands of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin and Ether are the two largest. Some are designed as money, some power apps, and some are tied to the price of a real-world currency like the US dollar.
Related terms
- BitcoinThe first cryptocurrency. A digital money you can send anywhere in the world without a bank, secured by a network of computers.
- EthereumA blockchain that lets developers build apps and issue tokens. Often called a programmable money platform.
- StablecoinA token designed to hold the same value as a regular currency, usually the US dollar.
- WalletAn app or device that holds the keys you need to spend and receive crypto.
Source: What The Block! Dictionary v1.0 (last updated 2026-04-25).