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Crypto glossary

Want to expand your crypto vocabulary? Get started with the essential terms

Key term

What is Axie Infinity?

A beginner’s guide to the hit NFT-based Pokémon-style game — and its native cryptocurrency...

A calendar with Bitcoin logos, marking the date
Key term

What is a Bitcoin halving?

A Bitcoin halving happens every four years, when the amount of bitcoin awarded to miners i...

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What is a DEX?

A beginner’s guide to decentralized exchanges

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What is Internet Computer (ICP)?

The Internet Computer is creating a decentralized internet — with independent data centers...

PoW/PoS illo
Key terms

What is "proof of work" or "proof of stake"?

“Proof of work” and “proof of stake” are the two major consensus mechanisms cryptocurrenci...

A web of colorful nodes connecting to a coin
Key term

What is a protocol?

Protocols are basic sets of rules that establish the structure of a blockchain and allow d...

A private key with a lock inside of it
Key term

What is a private key?

A private key is like a password that allows you to access and manage your crypto funds.

Woman looks at a chart on her mobile phone
Key term

What is technical analysis?

Technical analysis looks at patterns in market data to identify trends. Fundamental analys...

A roller coaster is at the peak before heading down a slope, next to financial charts and graphs.
Key term

What is volatility?

Volatility is a measure of how much the price of an asset has moved up or down over time.

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What is Uniswap?

A beginner’s guide to the biggest DEX on Ethereum

What is hash rate?
Key Term

What is hash rate?

Hash rate is a measure of the computational power of a blockchain network, group, or indiv...

What is ERC-721?
Key Term

What is ERC-721?

ERC-721 is a non-fungible token standard on the Ethereum blockchain. It provides a set of...

What is the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)?
Key Term

What is the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)?

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is a decentralized computation engine that executes sma...

What is a node in cryptocurrency?
Key Term

What is a node in cryptocurrency?

Nodes are components of a blockchain network, maintaining the latest record of transaction...

What are sidechains?
Key Term

What are sidechains?

Sidechains are separate blockchain networks that connect to a parent blockchain, aiming to...

What are BRC-20 tokens?
Key Term

What are BRC-20 tokens?

BRC-20 tokens are a development in the cryptocurrency space. They are a development in the...

What is cloud mining in crypto?
Beginner's Guide

What is cloud mining in crypto?

Cloud mining is a method to mine cryptocurrencies by leasing equipment or renting computin...

What are zero-knowledge proofs?
Key Term

What are zero-knowledge proofs?

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are a cryptographic method that allows one party to prove the...

What is ERC-20?
Key Term

What is ERC-20?

ERC-20 is a technical standard for establishing fungible assets on the Ethereum blockchain...

What is ERC-1155?
Key Term

What is ERC-1155?

ERC-1155 is a token standard on the Ethereum blockchain that enables the creation and tran...

What are Zero-Knowledge Rollups (ZK Rollups)?
Key Term

What are Zero-Knowledge Rollups (ZK Rollups)?

ZK Rollups are a layer-2 scaling solution that aims to enhance blockchain scalability by m...

What is a blockchain oracle in crypto?
Key Term

What is a blockchain oracle in crypto?

Blockchain oracles are entities that connect blockchains to external systems, enabling sma...

What are Soulbound Tokens (SBT)?
Key Term

What are Soulbound Tokens (SBT)?

Soulbound Tokens (SBT) are a theoretical concept of non-transferable digital tokens that c...

What is blockchain interoperability?
Key Term

What is blockchain interoperability?

Blockchain interoperability refers to the ability of different blockchain networks to comm...

What is Bitcoin BitVM?
Key Term

What is Bitcoin BitVM?

The article discusses a system called BitVM, which is not recognized or verified by any au...

What is the difference between a blockchain soft fork and a hard fork?
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What is the difference between a blockchain soft fork and a hard fork?

A soft fork aims to be a backward-compatible upgrade to a blockchain, allowing nodes runni...

What is token burning?
Key Term

What is token burning?

Token burning refers to the permanent removal of a specific number of tokens from the circ...

What is Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS)?
Key Term

What is Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS)?

DPoS is a consensus mechanism that evolved from Proof of Stake (PoS), intending to enhance...

What are Layer-0 protocols?
Key Term

What are Layer-0 protocols?

Layer-0 protocols are the foundational infrastructure upon which Layer-1 blockchains are b...

What is a DeFi aggregator?
Key Term

What is a DEX aggregator?

A DEX aggregator is a service that brings together liquidity from various decentralized ex...

What is SocialFi?
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What is SocialFi?

SocialFi combines the principles of social media and decentralized finance, aiming to prov...

Key term

What is a recovery phrase?

A recovery phrase is a series of words generated by your cryptocurrency wallet that give y...

What is a NFT floor price?
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What is a NFT floor price?

The NFT floor value is the lowest value for an NFT in a given collection. It provides insi...

What is impermanent loss?
Key Term

What is impermanent loss?

Impermanent loss is a risk that occurs when participating in DeFi liquidity pools, where t...

What are Real-World Assets (RWA)?
Key Term

What are Real-World Assets (RWA)?

Real-World Assets (RWAs) are tangible assets that exist outside the digital spectrum, whic...

What is NFT Finance (NFTFi)?
Key Term

What is NFT Finance (NFTFi)?

NFT Finance (NFTFi) is an ecosystem that combines Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Decentral...

What is the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) in crypto?
Key Term

What is the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) in crypto?

IPFS is a decentralized and distributed file storage system that aims to enhance the effic...

What is an initial exchange offering (IEO)?
Key Term

What is an initial exchange offering (IEO)?

An Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) is a method in the cryptocurrency space where a startup...

What is a dynamic NFT (dNFT) and how does it change over time?
Key Term

What is a dynamic NFT (dNFT) and how does it change over time?

Dynamic NFTs (dNFTs) are a newer generation of non-fungible tokens that have the potential...

What are the differences between open edition and limited edition NFTs?
Beginner's guide

What are the differences between open edition and limited edition NFTs?

Open edition NFTs permit the creation of an unlimited number of NFTs within a specific tim...

What is a burner wallet in crypto and why would you need one?
Beginner's guide

What is a burner wallet in crypto and why would you need one?

A burner wallet is a temporary, single-use crypto account used for specific transactions....

What are sandwich attacks in crypto?
Key Term

What are sandwich attacks in crypto?

Sandwich attacks are a form of market manipulation on decentralized exchanges (DEXs). Thes...

What is danksharding and the difference with proto-danksharding?
Key Term

What is danksharding and the difference with proto-danksharding?

Sharding is a proposed solution to the scalability issue faced by the Ethereum network, ai...

What Is a Security Token Offering (STO)?
Key Term

What Is a Security Token Offering (STO)?

STOs are events where companies distribute blockchain-based tokens representing ownership...

What is the otherside metaverse?
Glossary

What is the otherside metaverse?

The Otherside metaverse is a virtual world that merges elements of MMORPGs and blockchain...

What is decentralized science (Desci) and how does it plan to fix academic research?
Key Term

What is decentralized science (Desci) and how does it plan to fix academic research?

Decentralized science (DeSci) is a concept that leverages blockchain technology to aim for...

What is slippage in crypto and how to minimize its impact?
Key Term

What is slippage in crypto and how to minimize its impact?

Slippage in crypto refers to the difference between the expected price of a trade and the...

What is a 51% attack and what are the risks?
Key Term

What is a 51% attack and what are the risks?

A 51% attack is a potential threat to blockchain networks, where a group of miners may con...

What is the flippening in crypto?
Key Term

What is the flippening in crypto?

The flippening refers to a potential future event where Ethereum's market capitalization s...

What is a masternode in crypto?
Key Term

What is a masternode in crypto?

Masternodes are servers that aim to provide operational support to a blockchain network, s...

What is NFT ticketing and how could it disrupt entertainment?
Key Term

What is NFT ticketing and how could it disrupt entertainment?

NFT ticketing is a system where tickets are stored and managed on a blockchain, providing...

What is Etherscan and how to use it?
Beginner's guide

What is Etherscan and how to use it?

Etherscan is a block explorer and analytics platform for the Ethereum blockchain. It allow...

What is a sybil attack in crypto?
Key Term

What is a sybil attack in crypto?

A sybil attack is a security breach where a single entity creates multiple fraudulent node...

What is segregated witness (Segwit)?
Key Term

What is segregated witness (Segwit)

Segregated Witness (SegWit) is an update to the Bitcoin blockchain that separates witness...

What is the sandbox metaverse and how to enter it?
Glossary

What is the sandbox metaverse and how to enter it?

The Sandbox is a virtual world that operates on the Ethereum blockchain, where users have...

What is a blockchain genesis block?
Key Term

What is a blockchain genesis block?

The genesis block is the first block in a blockchain, often referred to as block 0 or bloc...

What is account abstraction and why is it important?
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What is account abstraction and why is it important?

Account abstraction is a technology enabled by blockchain that allows users to utilize sma...

Six blocks in a blockchain, the technology powering cryptocurrencies.
Glossary

What are Layer 3 blockchains and what is the difference with Layer 2 blockchains?

Layer 3 blockchains are built on top of Layer 2 solutions, providing additional functional...

What is hash rate?
Key Term

What's a crypto mining rig and how do you build one?

A crypto mining rig is a customized personal computer that uses graphical processing units...

What is a node in cryptocurrency?
Key Term

What’s the difference between cross-chain and multichain?

Cross-chain and multichain are both technologies that strive to enhance interoperability i...

What is Play-to-Earn (Play2Earn)?
Key Term

What is a crypto gaming guild?

A crypto gaming guild is a decentralized community that unites players, enthusiasts, and g...

What is yield farming and how does it work?
Beginner's guide

What is the difference between a crypto all time high (ATH) and all time low (ATL)?

An All-Time High (ATH) refers to the highest value a cryptocurrency has ever reached in it...

What is the crypto fear and greed index?
Beginner's guide

What is smart money and how to track it?

Smart money refers to the capital managed by experienced individuals or entities with exte...

What are Soulbound Tokens (SBT)?
Glossary

What is an ENS domain and do I need one?

ENS domains aim to provide a more user-friendly alternative to lengthy, intricate cryptocu...

APY vs. APR: What’s the difference?
Key Term

What is a crypto faucet?

Crypto faucets are platforms that provide users with small quantities of cryptocurrency fo...

What are the potential benefits of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)?
Key Term

What is a crypto Proof-of-Reserves (PoR)?

Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) is a verification method that demonstrates a crypto platform's abi...

What is Bitcoin BitVM?
Key Term

What is Bitcoin Pizza?

Bitcoin Pizza refers to the first known real-world transaction using Bitcoin, where a man...

How to use AI for crypto trading?
Key Term

What is a Black Hat Hacker in crypto?

Black Hat Hackers utilize malware to infiltrate computer systems and access data, often wi...

What is the Ethereum Cancun upgrade?
Key Term

What are hybrid smart contracts?

Hybrid smart contracts aim to combine on-chain blockchain code with off-chain data and com...

What is a Bitcoin mixer?
Key Term

What are bitcoin ordinals?

Bitcoin Ordinals are a method of creating unique digital assets on the Bitcoin blockchain....

How to calculate Return on Investment (ROI)?
Glossary

What is BlackRock’s IBIT spot bitcoin ETF?

BlackRock's IBIT is a spot bitcoin ETF that allows users to gain exposure to bitcoin's pri...

What is SocialFi?
Glossary

What is Unstoppable Domain?

Unstoppable Domains is a platform that enables users to establish blockchain-based domain...

What is First In, First Out (FIFO)?
Key Term

What is a pump and dump in crypto?

A pump and dump in crypto is a market manipulation tactic where the value of a token is ar...

A hand placing a coin into a crypto wallet
Wallet Guide

What’s a crypto wallet confirmation message?

A crypto wallet confirmation message is a unique cryptographic signature used to verify th...

What is the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)?
Key Term

What are vampire attacks in crypto?

Vampire attacks in crypto refer to aggressive strategies where a new project, often a fork...

What is a wallet address?
Key Term

What is crypto blind signing?

Blind signing in cryptocurrency involves the approval of a smart contract transaction with...

Six blocks in a blockchain, the technology powering cryptocurrencies.
Key Term

Monolithic vs Modular approach to blockchain scalability : how do they differ?

Monolithic blockchains consolidate all functionalities within a singular layer, while modu...

What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) in crypto?
Key Term

What does vesting mean in crypto?

Vesting in crypto refers to the process of locking down cryptocurrency tokens or coins for...

What is an application-specific blockchain (AppChain)?
Glossary

What is an application-specific blockchain (AppChain)?

AppChains, or application-specific blockchains, are designed to meet the unique requiremen...

What are Ethereum Layer-2 blockchains and how do they work?
Key Term

What are Bitcoin Layer 2 blockchains?

Bitcoin Layer 2 blockchains are protocols built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain that stri...

What is a Proof-of-Burn in crypto?
Key Term

What is a Proof-of-Burn in crypto?

Proof-of-Burn (PoB) is a consensus mechanism in cryptocurrency that involves "burning" coi...

What is the bitcoin taproot upgrade and why is it important?
Key Term

What is the bitcoin taproot upgrade and why is it important?

The Taproot upgrade is an improvement to the Bitcoin protocol, aiming to enhance privacy,...