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0x Protocol
An open-source protocol allowing decentralised exchange of tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.
1hr
A time frame used in trading charts, representing one hour of market activity.
7d
A trading term referring to the past 7 days of market activity.
24hr
A time frame used in trading charts, representing the last 24 hours of market activity.
30d
A time frame in trading charts, indicating the market activity over the past 30 days.
51 percent attack
A situation where a single entity controls over 51% of a blockchain’s mining power, compromising security.
52-Week High and Low
The highest and lowest prices of a stock or asset over the last 52 weeks.
52-Week Range
The range between the highest and lowest price of an asset over the past year.
80-20 Rule (Pareto Principle)
A principle suggesting that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes or efforts.
A
Account Abstraction
A technique in blockchain to separate user operations from the underlying execution environment for improved flexibility.
Accounting Token
A digital token that represents accounting-related assets or rights within a blockchain or digital ledger system.
Accredited Investors
Individuals or entities that meet specific financial criteria, allowing them to invest in certain higher-risk financial products.
Airdrop
The distribution of free tokens or coins to holders of a specific cryptocurrency, usually for promotional purposes.
Algo-Trading (Algorithmic Trading)
The use of computer algorithms to automatically make trading decisions and execute orders in financial markets.
Algorithmic Market Operations (AMOs)
Automated processes for executing market transactions based on pre-defined algorithms.
Algorithmic Stablecoin
A type of stablecoin whose value is stabilised through algorithmic mechanisms, rather than being pegged to an asset.
Altcoin
Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, often created to address specific challenges or offer unique features.
Apeing
The act of impulsively or emotionally investing in a cryptocurrency or asset without research, often driven by hype or social influence.
Arbitrage
The practice of exploiting price differences of an asset in different markets for a risk-free profit.
ASIC
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit; a type of hardware designed for a specific use, commonly used in cryptocurrency mining.
ASIC-Resistant
A term describing a cryptocurrency or algorithm designed to be resistant to mining with ASIC hardware, promoting decentralisation.
Asset-Backed Tokens
Digital tokens backed by real-world assets, such as real estate, commodities, or intellectual property.
Atomic Swap
A smart contract technology that enables the exchange of cryptocurrencies between different blockchains without the need for a trusted third party.
AtomicDEX
A decentralised exchange that uses atomic swaps to allow for peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading across different blockchains.
Automated Market Maker (AMM)
A protocol that uses algorithms to automatically set prices and facilitate trades in decentralised exchanges, removing the need for order books.
B
Bitcoin (BTC)
A decentralised digital currency created by Satoshi Nakamoto, using blockchain technology for secure peer-to-peer transactions.
Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
A fork of Bitcoin created to address scalability issues, allowing for larger block sizes and faster transaction processing.
Bitcoin Core
The original software implementation of the Bitcoin protocol, responsible for maintaining the Bitcoin network’s consensus.
Bitcoin Lightning Network
A second-layer protocol built on top of Bitcoin to enable faster, cheaper transactions by offloading some transactions from the blockchain.
Bitcoin Mining
The process of validating Bitcoin transactions and adding them to the blockchain by solving complex mathematical puzzles, requiring significant computational power.
Bitcoin Wallet
A software application that allows users to store, send, and receive Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies securely.
Bitcoin Whitepaper
The original paper authored by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 that outlined the concept and mechanics of Bitcoin.
Bitfinex
A popular cryptocurrency exchange offering advanced trading features, margin trading, and a wide range of cryptocurrencies.
Bitstamp
One of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges, known for its reliability and wide range of fiat and crypto trading pairs.
Block Reward
The reward given to miners for successfully validating and adding a new block to a blockchain, typically in the form of cryptocurrency.
Block Size
The maximum amount of data a single block in a blockchain can contain, which impacts the scalability and transaction speed of the network.
Block Time
The average time interval between the creation of consecutive blocks in a blockchain, influencing transaction processing speed.
Blockchain
A distributed ledger technology that securely records transactions across multiple computers, ensuring data integrity and transparency.
Blockchain Explorer
A tool used to view and search blockchain transactions, addresses, and blocks, providing transparency and data verification.
Blockchain Fork
A change or divergence in the protocol or rules of a blockchain network, leading to the creation of a new branch of the blockchain.
Blockchain Scaling
The process of improving a blockchain’s capacity to handle increased transaction volumes, typically through technical innovations like sharding or off-chain transactions.
Blockchain Trilemma
The challenge of balancing three main blockchain properties—decentralisation, security, and scalability—without sacrificing one for the others.
Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS)
A cloud-based service that allows businesses to build and manage blockchain applications without needing to develop their own infrastructure.
Burning (Burning Tokens)
The process of permanently removing tokens from circulation to reduce supply, often to increase scarcity and potentially raise value.
Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT)
A property of a distributed system that allows it to function correctly even when some of its components fail or behave maliciously.
C
CeFi (Centralised Finance)
The traditional financial system where intermediaries, such as banks and exchanges, handle asset transactions and management.
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
A digital form of currency issued and controlled by a country's central bank, designed to be a government-backed alternative to cryptocurrencies.
Centralised Exchange (CEX)
Centralised Exchange (CEX) A platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, controlled by a central authority that manages transactions.
Chainlink (LINK)
A decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data, enabling secure and reliable data input.
Cloud Mining
The practice of mining cryptocurrencies using remote data centres instead of personal mining hardware, allowing users to rent mining power.
Collateral
An asset pledged by a borrower to secure a loan, which can be seized if the borrower defaults on the loan.
Collateralised Debt Obligation (CDO)
A type of structured financial product backed by a pool of assets, such as loans or mortgages, where investors receive payments from the pool.
Consensus Algorithm
A protocol used by blockchain networks to agree on the validity of transactions and maintain a single source of truth.
Consensus Mechanism
A method used in distributed networks, such as blockchain, to reach agreement on transaction validation without a central authority.
Crypto Asset
A digital asset based on blockchain technology, representing value and often used as a store of value, medium of exchange, or investment.
Crypto Exchange
A platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, typically with the ability to also trade fiat currencies.
Crypto KYC (Know Your Customer)
A process used by cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms to verify the identity of their users to comply with regulatory requirements.
Crypto Lending
A financial service where cryptocurrency holders lend their assets to borrowers in exchange for interest payments.
Crypto Mining
The process of validating transactions and adding them to a blockchain ledger, rewarded with newly minted cryptocurrency.
Crypto Regulations
Legal frameworks and rules set by governments or regulatory bodies to govern cryptocurrency trading, exchange, and use.
Crypto Wallet
A digital wallet used to store and manage cryptocurrency, providing secure access to private keys for transaction signing.
Cryptocurrency
A type of digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates on decentralised networks such as blockchain.
Cryptocurrency Fork
A situation where a blockchain’s protocol is split into two separate chains, creating two distinct cryptocurrencies.
Cryptography
The science of securing communication and data through mathematical techniques and algorithms, essential for cryptocurrency transactions.
Cryptojacking
The unauthorized use of someone’s computing power to mine cryptocurrency without their consent.
D
Daedalus Wallet
A full-node cryptocurrency wallet for the Cardano blockchain, providing users with a secure and decentralised way to store and manage ADA.
DAO Summoning
The process of creating or establishing a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) through a formal proposal and community participation.
Decentralised
Refers to systems or networks that operate without a central authority, where control is distributed among participants.
Decentralized API (dAPI)
A decentralized alternative to traditional application programming interfaces (APIs), enabling secure, permissionless access to services.
Decentralized Application (DApps)
Software applications that run on a decentralized blockchain network rather than a centralised server.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO)
Organizations that are run through smart contracts on a blockchain, with governance typically controlled by token holders.
Decentralized Exchange (DEX)
A cryptocurrency exchange that operates without a central authority, allowing users to trade directly with each other.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
A movement that uses blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to recreate traditional financial systems (lending, borrowing, trading) in a decentralized manner.
Decentralized Governance
A system where decision-making power is distributed across participants in a network, typically seen in DAOs and blockchain protocols.
Decentralized Stablecoin
A stablecoin that is not controlled by any central authority, often backed by cryptocurrency reserves or governed by a DAO.
DeFi
Short for Decentralized Finance, refers to the use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies to provide financial services without intermediaries.
DeFi Aggregator
A platform that aggregates multiple decentralized finance protocols, enabling users to optimise yield and liquidity across platforms.
Delayed Proof of Work (dPoW)
A consensus mechanism used to provide extra security to a blockchain by using proof of work to back up a blockchain’s state.
Delegated Proof-of-Stake (dPOS)
A consensus mechanism where token holders vote for delegates who validate transactions and secure the network on their behalf.
Digital Currency
A form of money in digital format, including cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), used for online transactions.
Distributed Consensus
A method used in decentralized networks to ensure all participants agree on the validity of transactions or data without relying on a central authority.
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)
A technology that enables the decentralization of data storage, allowing multiple participants to validate and store transactions across a network.
Distributed Network
A network where computing resources and decision-making are spread across multiple nodes, without a single central control point.
Distributed Validator Technology (DVT)
A method used in blockchain networks to distribute the validation of transactions across multiple nodes, enhancing security and decentralization.
Double Spend Attack
A type of attack where an attacker tries to spend the same cryptocurrency twice by exploiting vulnerabilities in a blockchain or network.
Dump
A rapid sale or dumping of assets, causing a significant drop in price, often used in reference to market manipulation.
E
EIP-1559
A proposal for improving Ethereum’s transaction fee system by introducing a base fee that is burned, reducing supply and potentially increasing value.
Electrum Wallet
A lightweight Bitcoin wallet that allows users to securely store, send, and receive Bitcoin, known for its speed and low resource usage.
Encryption
The process of encoding data to protect it from unauthorized access, ensuring confidentiality and security in blockchain and cryptocurrency transactions.
Enterprise Blockchain
Blockchain technology used by businesses to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in supply chains, financial services, or other enterprise functions.
Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA)
A consortium of companies working together to develop blockchain solutions based on Ethereum, aiming to build enterprise-grade applications.
ERC-20
A widely adopted Ethereum token standard that defines a common set of rules for creating and issuing tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.
ERC-223
An Ethereum token standard designed to improve upon ERC-20 by allowing for more secure and efficient transfers of tokens to contracts.
ERC-721
A standard for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain, used to represent unique assets like digital art or collectibles.
ERC-777
An advanced Ethereum token standard that provides more features, such as hooks for additional functionality and better security.
ERC-827
An Ethereum token standard that extends ERC-20 by allowing for token approvals and data transfers to be sent within a single transaction.
Escrow
A financial arrangement in which a third party holds and manages funds or assets until the terms of an agreement are fulfilled.
ETH-BTC
A trading pair that represents the value of Ethereum (ETH) relative to Bitcoin (BTC) on cryptocurrency exchanges.
Ethash
The Proof-of-Work (PoW) algorithm used by Ethereum, designed to be memory-hard to ensure decentralization and security.
Ether
The native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, used to pay for transaction fees, smart contract execution, and as a store of value.
Ethereum Difficulty
The level of computational difficulty involved in mining new blocks on the Ethereum blockchain, adjusting periodically to ensure consistent block times.
Ethereum ETF
An exchange-traded fund that tracks the price of Ethereum, allowing investors to gain exposure to ETH without directly owning it.
Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)
A formal proposal for changes or improvements to the Ethereum network, submitted for community review and approval.
Ethereum Request For Comment (ERC)
A standard for creating and managing tokens or other assets on the Ethereum network, often used to define token standards like ERC-20 or ERC-721.
Ethereum Transaction
A transfer of Ether or data between accounts on the Ethereum network, often involving smart contract execution or value exchange.
Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)
The runtime environment for executing smart contracts on the Ethereum network, enabling decentralised applications to operate on the blockchain.
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)
A financial product that tracks the price of an asset or group of assets, allowing investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrency markets without directly holding coins.
F
Fan Token
A type of cryptocurrency that gives holders voting rights or access to exclusive content or rewards from a specific sports team or brand.
FATF Travel Rule
A regulation from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requiring cryptocurrency service providers to collect and share transaction details to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing.
Faucet
A website or app that gives away small amounts of cryptocurrency for free, usually as a way to introduce new users to crypto or to encourage engagement.
Fiat
Traditional government-issued currency, such as USD, AUD, or EUR, that is not backed by a physical commodity but by the trust of the government.
Fiat On-Ramp
A platform or service that allows users to convert fiat currency into cryptocurrency, typically through bank transfers, credit cards, or other payment methods.
Fiat-Pegged Cryptocurrency
A type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value by being backed or pegged to a fiat currency like the US Dollar.
Fibonacci Retracement Level
A technical analysis tool that uses horizontal lines to indicate areas of support or resistance based on Fibonacci sequences, commonly used in crypto trading.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
An intergovernmental organization that sets standards for combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes, with implications for the cryptocurrency industry.
Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
A US government agency that enforces regulations related to financial crimes, including money laundering, with oversight over cryptocurrency transactions.
Flash Crash
A sudden and severe drop in the price of an asset, often caused by mass panic selling or algorithmic trading errors.
Flash Loan
A type of loan in DeFi (Decentralized Finance) that allows borrowers to take out a loan without collateral, provided it is repaid within a single transaction block.
Flash Loan Attack
A type of exploit in which a flash loan is used to manipulate markets or smart contracts, often causing price manipulation or exploiting vulnerabilities.
Flashbots
A set of tools and services focused on building and deploying blockchain bots for optimising Ethereum transaction strategies, particularly around miner extractable value (MEV).
Flatcoin
A type of stablecoin designed to maintain a constant value, often using algorithms or economic mechanisms to counteract inflation or deflation.
Fork (Blockchain)
A split in a blockchain into two separate chains, often resulting from a change in consensus rules or protocol upgrades.
Fractional Stablecoins
Stablecoins that are partially backed by traditional assets and partially by other cryptocurrencies, aiming to provide more flexibility and stability.
Fraud Proof
A method used to prove that a transaction or block is invalid, often used in proof-of-stake (PoS) or other consensus mechanisms to maintain security.
Front Running
The act of executing orders on the blockchain ahead of a known transaction, usually to profit from its anticipated price impact, often considered unethical.
Fungible
Describes assets, such as Bitcoin or Ether, that are identical in value and can be exchanged on a one-to-one basis, without differentiation between units.
Futures
A financial contract that obligates the buyer to purchase an asset, or the seller to sell an asset, at a predetermined price and time in the future.
G
Gains
The profit made from an investment, often used in the context of cryptocurrency trading where the value of an asset increases over time.
Gas
A unit of measurement for computational work required to execute transactions or smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, used to calculate transaction fees.
Gas Limit
The maximum amount of gas that can be used in a transaction on the Ethereum network, set by the user to prevent excessive spending on fees.
Gas Price
The price per unit of gas on the Ethereum network, typically expressed in gwei, which determines the cost of executing transactions or smart contracts.
Gas Station Networks (GSN)
A protocol that allows users to interact with Ethereum-based dApps without needing to pay gas fees upfront, instead using relayers to pay on their behalf.
Genesis Block
The first block in a blockchain, serving as the foundation upon which all other blocks are built. The genesis block is also often hardcoded into the blockchain protocol.
Geth
The Go implementation of the Ethereum protocol, one of the most widely used Ethereum clients for running nodes on the network.
Gold-Backed Cryptocurrency
A cryptocurrency that is pegged to the value of gold, with each token being backed by an equivalent amount of gold to provide price stability.
Governance
The mechanisms and processes used to make decisions and implement rules in a blockchain network, often involving token holders, developers, and miners/validators.
Governance Token
A token used to participate in the governance of a blockchain or decentralised project, allowing holders to vote on proposals or decisions.
GPG Encryption
A method of encrypting data using public and private keys to secure communications, commonly used in blockchain for data privacy.
Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)
A hardware component primarily used for rendering images, but also utilised for cryptocurrency mining, especially in proof-of-work networks.
Gwei
A subunit of Ether, used to measure gas fees on the Ethereum blockchain, where 1 Ether = 1 billion gwei.
H
Halving
An event in certain cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, where the reward for mining new blocks is reduced by half, typically every four years, to control inflation.
Hard Cap
The maximum limit on the total supply of a cryptocurrency or token, ensuring scarcity and limiting inflation.
Hard Fork (Blockchain)
A radical change to a blockchain's protocol that is not backwards compatible, resulting in the creation of a new chain, such as Ethereum's split from Ethereum Classic.
Hardware Security Module
A physical device used to generate, store, and manage cryptographic keys, often used for securing cryptocurrency assets.
Hardware Wallet
A physical device used to store private keys securely offline, providing protection from hacks and malware.
Hash
A cryptographic function that takes input data and produces a fixed-size string of characters, serving as a unique identifier for data.
Hash Function
A mathematical function that converts input data into a fixed-size hash, used in blockchain to securely represent and verify transactions.
Hash Power or Hash Rate
The measure of computational power used in cryptocurrency mining, indicating how quickly a miner can solve cryptographic problems.
Hashed Timelock Contract (HTLC)
A smart contract used to enforce a time-lock mechanism for transactions, allowing cross-chain transactions to be completed securely.
Hashgraph Consensus Mechanism
A consensus algorithm used by the Hashgraph blockchain, offering high throughput and low latency, designed as an alternative to traditional blockchain protocols.
HODL
A term derived from a misspelled word "hold," meaning to buy and hold a cryptocurrency long-term, typically used by long-term investors.
Hot Wallet
A cryptocurrency wallet connected to the internet, allowing for quick access and transactions but at higher risk of cyberattacks.
Howey Test
A legal test used to determine whether a cryptocurrency or digital asset is classified as a security, based on the US Securities Act of 1933.
Hybrid PoW PoS
A consensus mechanism combining both Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) to secure a blockchain, providing benefits of both systems.
I
Impermanent Loss
A risk in liquidity provision where the value of assets in a liquidity pool changes unfavourably compared to holding the assets in a wallet.
Initial Coin Offering (ICO)
A method of fundraising where new cryptocurrency projects sell tokens to investors in exchange for capital, often used for launching new coins.
Initial Dex Offering (IDO)
A type of cryptocurrency fundraising event where tokens are offered on a decentralised exchange (DEX) instead of traditional platforms.
Initial Exchange Offering (IEO)
A fundraising method where tokens are sold through a centralised exchange, providing users with a more regulated environment.
Insider Trading
The illegal practice of trading on the basis of confidential information about a company or cryptocurrency project.
Institutional Investor
A large organisation, such as a hedge fund or pension fund, that invests significant amounts of capital in cryptocurrencies or blockchain projects.
Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC)
A protocol allowing different blockchains to communicate and transfer assets or data between one another in a secure and interoperable manner.
Interest Rates
The rate at which interest is charged or earned on cryptocurrency loans, savings, or staking yields.
Interoperability
The ability of different blockchain networks or systems to work together, enabling cross-chain communication and asset transfer.
InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)
A distributed file storage system that allows files to be stored across a network of computers, commonly used in decentralised applications.
J
Jager
A reference to a tool or library used in blockchain development, or in some contexts, a type of cryptocurrency bot.
Java
A programming language used in the development of smart contracts, blockchain platforms, and decentralised applications.
JavaScript
A popular programming language used to build web-based decentralised applications (DApps) and interact with blockchain networks.
JOMO
Joy of Missing Out; the opposite of FOMO, where individuals choose not to follow market trends and avoid the emotional impact of crypto volatility.
K
Keylogger
A type of malware that records keystrokes on a computer or device, often used in phishing or hacking attempts to steal private keys or login credentials.
Klinger Oscillator
A technical indicator used in market analysis to predict price movements by comparing volume and price trends.
Know Your Customer (KYC)
A process of verifying the identity of users, especially on centralised platforms, to comply with regulations and prevent fraud or money laundering.
L
Layer 2
Solutions built on top of Layer 1 blockchains to improve scalability and transaction speed, such as the Lightning Network for Bitcoin.
Layer-1 Blockchain
The base level blockchain network that supports decentralized transactions, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, without relying on any other blockchain.
Leverage
The use of borrowed funds to increase the potential return on an investment, often used in margin trading in cryptocurrency markets.
Leveraged Tokens
Tokens that allow traders to gain exposure to a cryptocurrency asset with leverage, amplifying potential profits and losses.
Lightning Network
A Layer 2 solution on the Bitcoin blockchain designed to enable faster and cheaper transactions by creating off-chain payment channels.
Limit Order
An order placed on a cryptocurrency exchange to buy or sell an asset at a specific price or better, providing more control over the trade.
LINK (Chainlink)
A decentralised oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data, enabling blockchain applications to interact with external data sources.
Liquidity
The ease with which an asset can be bought or sold without affecting its price significantly, important for market efficiency.
Liquidity Mining
The process of earning rewards by providing liquidity to decentralised exchanges or DeFi platforms, often in the form of tokens.
Liquidity Pool
A collection of funds locked in a smart contract, used to facilitate trading on decentralised exchanges and provide liquidity.
Liquidity Provider
An individual or entity that supplies liquidity to a liquidity pool in exchange for fees or rewards.
Liquidity Provider Tokens (LP Tokens)
Tokens representing a share of the liquidity pool, which can be used to claim a portion of the pool’s rewards or assets.
Loan-to-value (LTV)
A ratio used in lending to determine the amount of a loan relative to the value of the collateral, often used in crypto-backed loans.
Longing (Long Position)
Referring to the act of taking a position where the trader buys an asset, hoping for its value to increase to make a profit.
Lovelace
The smallest unit of the Cardano cryptocurrency, named after Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and pioneer in computing.
M
Mainnet
The live, fully operational version of a blockchain network where real transactions occur, as opposed to a testnet used for development.
Maker Protocol (MakerDAO)
A decentralised finance protocol that allows users to borrow stablecoins (DAI) by collateralising assets, using a unique governance model.
Malware
Malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorised access to computer systems, often targeting crypto wallets or exchanges.
Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM)
A cyber attack where a third party intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties, often targeting crypto transactions.
Margin Trading
The practice of borrowing funds to trade larger positions, amplifying both potential profits and risks.
Market Capitalisation or Market Cap (MCAP)
The total value of a cryptocurrency, calculated by multiplying its current price by the total supply of coins or tokens.
Market Maker & Market Taker
Market makers provide liquidity by placing orders, while market takers execute trades by matching existing orders in the order book.
Market Order, Market Buy, Market Sell
Orders that are executed at the best available price in the market, typically used for quick trades without setting a specific price.
Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA)
A proposed regulation in the European Union aiming to create a legal framework for cryptocurrency markets, providing more clarity and security for users.
Masternodes
Special nodes in a blockchain network that perform additional functions, such as governance, transaction validation, or providing network services.
Maximal Extractable Value (MEV)
The maximum profit a miner or validator can extract from producing a block, by reordering, including, or excluding transactions.
Medium of Exchange
An asset or currency that is used to facilitate transactions, such as Bitcoin, which can be used as a medium of exchange in the crypto space.
Memecoin
A cryptocurrency created based on memes or internet culture, often having little utility but gaining value due to community interest or hype.
MetaMask
A popular cryptocurrency wallet that allows users to interact with the Ethereum blockchain and decentralised applications (DApps) through a browser extension.
Metaverse
A virtual reality space where users can interact with each other and digital assets in a 3D environment, often integrated with blockchain technology for asset ownership.
Miners
Individuals or entities that use computational power to validate transactions and secure the blockchain network in a proof-of-work system.
Mining Pool
A collective group of miners who combine their computational power to increase the chances of solving blocks and share the rewards.
Mining Reward
The reward given to miners for validating and adding a new block to a blockchain, typically paid in cryptocurrency.
Mining Rig
A computer setup with specialised hardware used for mining cryptocurrencies, often featuring multiple GPUs or ASICs for optimal performance.
Minting
The process of creating new tokens or coins in a cryptocurrency system, often through staking or as a reward for validating transactions.
Multisignature
A security feature requiring multiple private keys to authorise a transaction, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of fraud or theft.
N
NFT
Non-Fungible Token; a unique digital asset that represents ownership of a specific item, often used for digital art, collectibles, or virtual goods.
NFT Royalties
Ongoing payments that the creator of an NFT receives each time it is resold on the secondary market, often embedded in the smart contract.
Node
A computer or device that participates in the blockchain network, verifying transactions and contributing to the decentralisation of the system.
Nominators
In proof-of-stake systems, nominators are individuals who support validators by staking their tokens in exchange for a share of the rewards.
Non-Custodial
A type of wallet or service where the user retains full control of their private keys and assets, as opposed to custodial services which hold assets on behalf of users.
Non-fungible Assets
Assets that are unique and not interchangeable with others, often represented as NFTs in the blockchain world.
Nonce
A number used only once in cryptographic communications, such as in blockchain transactions to prevent replay attacks.
Notarization on Blockchain
The process of using blockchain to verify the authenticity of a document or transaction, making it tamper-proof and immutable.
O
Off-Chain
Activities or transactions that take place outside the blockchain network, often to reduce congestion or costs, while still being validated later on-chain.
Off-Chain Governance
A governance model where decisions regarding the direction of a blockchain or crypto project are made off-chain, such as through off-chain voting or agreements.
Omnichain
A blockchain design where multiple chains can interact seamlessly, enabling assets or data to flow between different blockchain networks.
On-Chain
Transactions or activities that occur directly on the blockchain network and are recorded in its public ledger.
On-Chain Governance
A governance model where decisions regarding protocol changes or network upgrades are made through on-chain voting or consensus.
Open Finance (OpenFi)
A financial ecosystem based on decentralised protocols that aim to provide financial services to anyone, anywhere, without intermediaries.
Open Source
Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute, which is common in many blockchain projects.
OpenSea
A popular peer-to-peer marketplace for buying, selling, and discovering NFTs, including digital art, collectibles, and virtual assets.
Optimistic Rollup
A layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that improves transaction throughput by assuming transactions are valid until proven otherwise.
Oracles
External data providers that feed real-world data into blockchain smart contracts, enabling them to interact with off-chain events.
Order Book
A list of buy and sell orders for a particular asset on a trading platform, helping to determine the market price based on supply and demand.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Trading
A form of trading that happens outside of traditional exchanges, allowing for large trades to be executed privately.
P
P2P Bridge
A peer-to-peer network or platform that connects different blockchain ecosystems or markets, enabling cross-chain transactions.
P2P Trading
Trading where users buy and sell directly to each other without an intermediary, facilitated by smart contracts or decentralised platforms.
Parachain
A blockchain that is connected to a main chain (like Polkadot or Kusama) and can share security and data.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
A decentralized network structure where users interact and transact directly with each other without intermediaries.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending
A system where individuals lend and borrow cryptocurrency or fiat directly from each other, typically facilitated by a decentralised platform.
Perpetual Contracts
A type of derivative contract that has no expiry date, commonly used in cryptocurrency trading to speculate on the price of assets.
Perpetual Futures
A type of futures contract without a set expiration date, allowing traders to hold positions indefinitely.
Phishing
A fraudulent attempt to acquire sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity, commonly targeting crypto wallet keys or exchange credentials.
Play-to-Earn (Play2Earn)
A model in gaming where players can earn cryptocurrency or assets as they play, often in the form of NFTs or tokens.
Plutus (Cardano)
A smart contract platform on the Cardano blockchain, used to create decentralised applications (DApps) and financial contracts.
Ponzi Scheme
A fraudulent investment scheme that pays returns to earlier investors using the capital of new investors, often leading to collapse.
Portfolio
A collection of investments or assets held by an individual or institution, including cryptocurrency holdings.
Private Key - Secret Key
A cryptographic key used to access and manage cryptocurrency funds, must be kept secret to prevent unauthorized access.
Proof of Stake
A consensus mechanism where validators are chosen to create new blocks based on the amount of cryptocurrency they stake as collateral.
Proof of Work
A consensus mechanism where participants (miners) solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions and create new blocks.
Protocol Layer
The underlying framework or infrastructure of a blockchain network, which handles consensus, data storage, and transaction validation.
Public Blockchain
A blockchain that is open to anyone to read and participate in, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Public Key
A cryptographic key used to receive cryptocurrency; it is derived from a private key and can be shared publicly.
Pump & Dump
A fraudulent practice where the price of an asset is artificially inflated (pumped) and then sold off (dumped) for a profit.
Pure Proof of Stake (PPoS)
A consensus mechanism where participants validate blocks based solely on the amount of cryptocurrency they stake, with no need for energy-intensive work.
Q
Quantum Bit (Qubit)
The basic unit of quantum information in quantum computing, which could have significant implications for cryptography.
Quorum (Governance)
The minimum number of participants required to validate or approve a decision or transaction in a governance system.
R
Raiden Network
A scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain that uses off-chain transactions for faster and cheaper microtransactions.
Ransomware
A type of malicious software that encrypts a user's files, demanding payment (often in cryptocurrency) to restore access.
Rebasing
A mechanism used by certain cryptocurrencies where the supply of tokens is adjusted periodically to maintain a specific value or peg.
Rehypothecation
The practice of using collateral from one borrower to secure other loans, commonly in DeFi lending or borrowing platforms.
Rekt
Slang for “wrecked,” used in the crypto community to describe losing all or a significant portion of an investment, often due to poor trades or market conditions.
Relay Chain
The main chain in a multi-chain network like Polkadot, which connects various parachains and facilitates communication and interoperability.
Remittance
The transfer of money, often internationally, typically between individuals; cryptocurrencies are increasingly used for low-cost remittances.
Reputation Score
A metric used in decentralized networks to measure the trustworthiness or reliability of an individual, node, or project.
Reward Token
A token distributed to users as a reward for participating in activities such as staking, liquidity provision, or governance in decentralized platforms.
Risk Management
The process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, particularly in trading and investing in volatile markets like cryptocurrency.
Rug Pull
A type of scam in the crypto world where developers of a project suddenly withdraw all liquidity or funds from the project, leaving investors with worthless tokens.
S
Satoshi Nakamoto
The pseudonymous creator(s) of Bitcoin, whose identity remains unknown, and the person or group who introduced blockchain technology to the world.
Scalability
The capability of a blockchain network to handle a growing number of transactions or users without compromising speed or cost.
Scalability Trilemma
The theory that it’s impossible for a blockchain to simultaneously achieve scalability, decentralization, and security, with a trade-off needed between them.
Scam
A fraudulent scheme designed to deceive individuals for financial gain, common in the cryptocurrency space through phishing, rug pulls, and Ponzi schemes.
Security Token Offering (STO)
A fundraising method where tokens representing real-world assets (like shares or bonds) are sold to investors under strict regulatory compliance.
Seed Phrase
A sequence of words used to back up and restore a cryptocurrency wallet, often consisting of 12 to 24 words.
Self Custody
The practice of controlling and managing one's own private keys, rather than relying on a third party like an exchange or wallet service.
Sharding
A scalability solution that breaks a blockchain into smaller, more manageable parts (shards), allowing for parallel processing of transactions.
Short
The act of selling an asset in anticipation of its price falling, allowing the seller to buy it back at a lower price for a profit.
Short Squeeze
A situation in which an asset's price rapidly increases, forcing traders who were shorting the asset to buy back in at a loss, further driving the price up.
Smart Contract
A self-executing contract with the terms of the agreement directly written into lines of code on the blockchain, automating transactions or agreements.
Smart Contract Audit
A review process to examine the code of a smart contract for vulnerabilities or flaws before it is deployed on a blockchain.
Smart Contract Platform
A blockchain platform that enables the creation and execution of smart contracts, such as Ethereum, Solana, or Cardano.
Smart Token
A cryptocurrency token that is programmable or can be manipulated through smart contracts to facilitate complex financial or operational functions.
Solidity
A programming language used to write smart contracts on Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains.
Spot Trading
The buying and selling of assets in the spot market, typically for immediate settlement.
Stablecoin
A cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, often pegged to a fiat currency like USD to reduce volatility.
Staking
The act of holding and locking cryptocurrencies in a wallet to support the operations and security of a blockchain, often earning rewards.
Staking Pool
A group of stakers who combine their resources to participate in staking and share the rewards.
Supply Chain Attack
An attack targeting a cryptocurrency project's supply chain, often involving exploitation of a trusted third party.
T
T-Address (Zcash)
A type of address on the Zcash blockchain that supports private transactions.
Tamper-Proof Ledger
A blockchain that is designed to prevent unauthorized changes to its recorded data.
Tangle
A term used for the structure underlying IOTA's distributed ledger technology, which uses a directed acyclic graph (DAG) instead of a traditional blockchain.
Taproot
A Bitcoin upgrade that enhances privacy, scalability, and flexibility for smart contracts.
Technical Analysis - Trend Analysis (TA)
The study of historical price movements and market data to predict future price trends in cryptocurrency markets.
Technical Indicators
Metrics and indicators, such as moving averages and RSI, used to analyze and forecast cryptocurrency price trends.
Testnet
A blockchain environment used for testing new features or updates before they are deployed to the main (production) network.
The DAO
A decentralised autonomous organization, typically governed by smart contracts, where decision-making is done through voting.
The Merge (Ethereum 2.0)
Ethereum’s upgrade to Ethereum 2.0, transitioning from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) to improve scalability and energy efficiency.
Ticker Symbol
The short abbreviation or code used to represent a crypto asset, stock, or other financial instrument (e.g., ETH for Ethereum).
Token
A digital asset created and managed on a blockchain.
Token Economy
A system where digital tokens are used to incentivise, govern, and facilitate transactions in a network.
Token Generation Event (TGE)
An event where new tokens are created and distributed to investors or users, often as part of a project launch.
Token Sale
A fundraising method where tokens are sold to the public or investors, usually to fund a project.
Token Swap
The exchange of one type of token for another, often through a decentralised exchange or smart contract.
Tokenomics
The study and design of the economic model behind a token, including its issuance, supply, and utility.
Total Supply
The total number of a cryptocurrency or token in existence, including those in circulation and reserved.
Total Value Locked (TVL)
The total amount of capital held within a decentralised finance (DeFi) protocol, often used to measure liquidity.
Transaction Fee
A fee paid to miners or validators to process a transaction on the blockchain.
Transactions Per Second (TPS)
A metric used to measure the number of transactions a blockchain can process per second.
U
Unbanked
Refers to individuals or populations without access to traditional banking services or institutions.
Unconfirmed
A transaction that has been broadcast to the network but has not yet been included in a block.
UNI Token
The governance token of the Uniswap decentralised exchange, used for voting on protocol changes.
Unpermissioned Ledger
A ledger that is open for anyone to participate in, with no restrictions on who can access or alter data.
Unregulated
Refers to markets or activities that operate without oversight or regulation from governmental authorities.
Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO)
The output of a transaction that has not yet been spent, effectively acting as the balance of a wallet.
US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
A U.S. government agency that enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and individuals.
Utility Mining
A process where users participate in network activities (e.g., staking, liquidity provision) to earn tokens.
Utility Token
A digital token used to access or pay for services within a blockchain ecosystem or platform.
V
Validator
A participant in a blockchain network who validates transactions and ensures the security of the system.
Virtual Automated Market Makers (vAMMs)
DeFi protocol that uses automated algorithms to facilitate trading without traditional order books.
Vitalik Buterin
Co-founder of Ethereum, a leading blockchain platform known for enabling smart contracts and decentralised apps.
Volatility
A measure of the price fluctuations of an asset over time, often used to assess risk.
Volume
The amount of a particular asset traded over a given period, reflecting market activity.
W
Wallet
A digital tool used to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies securely.
Wash Trade
A market manipulation strategy where an investor buys and sells the same asset to create the illusion of high volume.
Web 3.0
The next generation of the internet, focused on decentralisation, blockchain, and user empowerment.
Web3 Foundation
An organisation promoting the development of decentralised technologies and the Web3 ecosystem.
Whale
A term for individuals or entities that hold a large amount of a particular cryptocurrency.
Whitepaper
A detailed document outlining the technical and business aspects of a cryptocurrency project.
X
x86 Virtual Machine (Qtum)
A virtual machine that runs smart contracts in the Qtum blockchain ecosystem using x86 architecture.
XBT
A symbol used for Bitcoin, often seen in exchange and financial contexts.
Y
Yield Farming
A process where cryptocurrency holders earn rewards or interest by providing liquidity to DeFi platforms.
Yield Sensitivity
The degree to which an asset’s return changes in response to changes in interest rates or economic conditions.
YTD
Year-To-Date, a measure used to compare performance or statistics from the start of the current year to the present.
Z
Zero Knowledge Proof
A cryptographic method that allows one party to prove they know something without revealing any details.
Zero Knowledge Rollup
A layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that increases transaction throughput using zero-knowledge proofs.
Zk-SNARKs
A specific type of zero-knowledge proof used for privacy and scalability in blockchain networks.
zkApps
Decentralised applications built using zero-knowledge proofs, ensuring privacy and scalability.
zkOracle
A system that provides off-chain data to smart contracts in a privacy-preserving manner using zero-knowledge proofs.
zkSharding
A technique for improving blockchain scalability by partitioning data across multiple shards using zk-SNARKs.