A-Z
Glossary
Airdrop A distribution of free cryptocurrency tokens to promote a new project or reward holders.
ASIC Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, hardware designed specifically for mining cryptocurrencies.
Altcoin Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.
Address A unique identifier for sending and receiving cryptocurrency.
Atomic Swap A technology enabling cross-chain exchanges without intermediaries.
Bitcoin The first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency.
Blockchain A decentralized ledger for recording transactions.
Block Reward Incentive given to miners for validating and adding new blocks to the blockchain.
Burning The process of permanently removing tokens from circulation to reduce supply.
Bounty A reward offered for specific tasks or for finding vulnerabilities in a crypto project.
Cryptocurrency Digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security.
Consensus Agreement among blockchain participants on the validity of transactions or data.
Cold Wallet A wallet not connected to the internet for secure storage of cryptocurrencies.
Custodian A third-party service managing crypto assets on behalf of users.
Coinbase The first transaction in a block, or a major cryptocurrency exchange.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Financial services on blockchain without intermediaries.
Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) An organization governed by smart contracts.
Double Spending The risk of a cryptocurrency being spent more than once.
Dapp A decentralized application running on a blockchain.
DEX Decentralized Exchange, an exchange without a central authority.
Ethereum A popular blockchain platform that supports smart contracts.
ERC-20 A standard for creating tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.
Etherscan A block explorer for Ethereum-based transactions.
Escrow Holding funds in a third-party account pending completion of a transaction or agreement.
Encryption The process of encoding information to maintain its confidentiality and integrity.
Fork A significant change to a blockchain’s protocol that creates a new version.
FUD Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt, a tactic used to spread negative sentiment in the crypto space.
FOMO Fear of Missing Out, driving rapid investment in cryptocurrencies.
Faucet A service that offers small amounts of cryptocurrency for free, often for promotional purposes.
Fiat Traditional government-issued currency such as the US dollar or Euro.
Gas A fee for processing transactions on a blockchain, especially on Ethereum.
Genesis Block The first block in a blockchain, marking its origin.
GPU Mining The process of mining cryptocurrencies using graphics processing units.
Governance Token A token granting voting rights and other forms of governance in a crypto project.
Gwei A unit of gas price measurement on the Ethereum blockchain, equal to one-billionth of an Ether.
Hash Rate The speed at which a miner computes new blocks for a blockchain.
Hot Wallet A wallet connected to the internet, typically used for everyday transactions.
Hodl A term derived from “hold,” indicating long-term holding of cryptocurrency despite market fluctuations.
Halving A process that reduces the block reward by half, a mechanism used in Bitcoin to control supply.
Hard Fork A significant change in blockchain protocol that creates a new, incompatible version of the blockchain.
ICO (Initial Coin Offering) A fundraising method in which new cryptocurrencies are sold to investors.
Immutable Data that cannot be altered or tampered with, a fundamental characteristic of blockchain.
Interoperability The ability of different blockchains to communicate and work together.
Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) A fundraising event conducted on a cryptocurrency exchange platform.
Intrinsic Value The underlying worth or utility of a cryptocurrency or token.
JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) A lightweight data-interchange format used in blockchain applications.
Jitter Variability in delay, which can affect blockchain performance or synchronization.
Junk Token A term used for low-quality or essentially valueless cryptocurrencies.
Joint Development Collaborative development among blockchain projects.
Java A programming language used in some blockchain and smart contract development.
Key (Private/Public) Cryptographic keys used for authentication and security in blockchain transactions.
KYC (Know Your Customer) Regulations requiring identity verification for financial transactions.
Kill Switch A mechanism to halt or stop a smart contract or other crypto process in emergencies.
Kovan A test network for Ethereum developers.
Keystore A secure location for storing cryptographic keys.
Ledger A distributed record of all transactions on a blockchain.
Liquidity The ability to buy or sell assets quickly without significantly affecting their price.
Lightning Network A second-layer solution designed to increase Bitcoin’s transaction capacity and speed.
Lock Time A mechanism that restricts spending funds until a specified time.
Layer 2 Solutions or protocols that operate on top of a blockchain to improve efficiency and scalability.
Mining The process of validating and adding new blocks to a blockchain.
Mempool A pool of unconfirmed transactions awaiting validation by miners or validators.
Merkle Tree A data structure used to efficiently verify blockchain data and transactions.
Masternode A server performing advanced tasks or providing additional security in a blockchain network.
MultiSig A multi-signature system requiring multiple keys or signatures for transactions.
Node A participant in a blockchain network maintaining a copy of the ledger.
NFT (Non-Fungible Token) A unique digital asset representing ownership of digital or physical assets.
Nonce A number used once, essential in Proof of Work mining and other blockchain processes.
Network Effect The increased value of a network as more participants join.
Nakamoto Consensus A consensus algorithm based on Proof of Work, named after Satoshi Nakamoto.
Oracle A source of external data used in smart contracts.
Off-chain Data or processes that occur outside the blockchain.
On-chain Data or processes that occur within the blockchain.
Open Source Software with freely available source code.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Trading conducted outside traditional exchanges.
Proof of Stake (PoS) A consensus algorithm where validators are selected based on their token holdings.
Proof of Work (PoW) A consensus algorithm requiring computational effort to validate transactions.
Private Key A cryptographic key kept secret for authorizing transactions and accessing wallets.
Public Key A cryptographic key shared for receiving funds.
Pump and Dump A scheme in which asset prices are artificially inflated and then rapidly sold off.
Quantum Computing Advanced computing with potential to break traditional cryptography, affecting blockchain security.
QuickSwap A decentralized exchange built on Layer 2 technology.
Quorum The minimum number of participants required for consensus in a DAO.
Qubit A quantum bit used in quantum computing.
Query A request for specific information or data from a blockchain.
Rug Pull A scam where project creators withdraw funds and abandon the project, leaving investors with worthless tokens.
Ripple (XRP) A cryptocurrency and network focused on cross-border payments and remittances.
Rollup A Layer 2 solution that batches or “rolls up” multiple transactions for efficiency.
Redundancy The presence of multiple backups or copies to ensure data safety.
Root The top node of a Merkle tree used to verify blockchain data.
Smart Contract Self-executing contracts with terms encoded in a blockchain.
Stablecoin A cryptocurrency designed to have a stable value, typically pegged to a fiat currency or stable asset.
Sidechain A secondary blockchain connected to a primary blockchain for additional functionality.
Soft Fork A protocol change that remains compatible with previous versions of the blockchain.
Satoshi The smallest unit of Bitcoin, or the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Token A digital asset issued on a blockchain, representing various forms of value or utility.
Transaction An exchange of cryptocurrency between parties.
Tokenomics The economic structure and incentives within a crypto project or token-based ecosystem.
Timestamp A recorded date and time for blockchain transactions.
Testnet A blockchain used for testing, separate from the mainnet.
Utility Token A token providing specific functionality or utility within a crypto ecosystem.
Uptime The period during which a blockchain or service is operational.
Uniswap A decentralized exchange on the Ethereum blockchain.
UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) Outputs from a blockchain transaction that have not yet been spent.
Universal Wallet A wallet supporting multiple cryptocurrencies.
Validator A participant in Proof of Stake responsible for validating transactions.
Volatility The degree of price fluctuation in a cryptocurrency, indicating market instability or high risk.
Vesting A process where token rights are granted over time.
Vanity Address A blockchain address with a customized pattern.
Vitalik Buterin A co-founder of Ethereum.
Wallet A software or hardware solution used to store, manage, and transact cryptocurrencies.
Whitepaper A document outlining a cryptocurrency project’s goals, technology, and implementation plan.
Wrapped Token A tokenized version of a cryptocurrency designed for use on a different blockchain.
Whale An individual or entity that holds a large amount of cryptocurrency, often influencing markets.
Weak Hands A term for investors who sell quickly during market downturns.
XRP The native cryptocurrency of the Ripple network.
Yield Farming A method in DeFi where users provide liquidity for rewards.
Yearn.finance A DeFi project specializing in yield optimization.
YubiKey A hardware-based security key for two-factor authentication.
YottaByte A massive unit of data storage.
YFII (Yearn.finance II) A DeFi project derived from Yearn.finance.
Zero-Knowledge Proof A cryptographic method allowing one party to prove knowledge without revealing actual information.
ZCash A privacy-focused cryptocurrency using zero-knowledge proofs.
Zilliqa A blockchain designed for high-throughput and scalability.
ZKP (Zero-Knowledge Protocol) A cryptographic protocol for secure communication.
Zone A specific section of a blockchain ecosystem.