A string of letters and numbers that are used to receive cryptocurrency. It usually works in a similar way to a traditional bank account number and can be shared publicly with others.
Refers to the maximum price of an asset, higher than any other time in its trading history. Cryptocurrencies have risen dramatically, creating many consecutive ATHs.
Describes all cryptocurrencies that are not Bitcoin - like Ethereum, Litecoin, and Monero. It is a short version of "Alternative Coin" (AKA coins that were created after Bitcoin).
A set of laws and regulations in the United States and other countries to prevent illegal activities. They compell exchanges and other money transmitters to report suspicious activity.
Taking advantage of the price difference of an asset on two different markets or exchanges, often internationally. The price difference is used for a quick profit.
A type of computer chip. For cryptocurrencies, it is used to mine new coins efficiently (see mining below). It is the short version of Application Specific Integrated Circuit.
A distributed ledger that codifies agreements, statements, and other factors into the Blockchain. It can provide evidence to "attest" that something which has actually happened.
A person who is still holding an asset after a pump and dump scheme (see below). It can also refer to someone who believes in and holds a coin that's declining in value.
A person who is pessimistic about market prices and expects them to go down. This person is also known as "bearish" about the market and price expectations.
A false market signal where the rising trend of an asset appears to be turning down, but actually is not. Short sellers are forced to exit their positions to stop losing money.
While using the word bitcoin as a unit of measure (e.g. 1 bitcoin), it is used in the lower case version. While using Bitcoin as the name, it is spelled in the upper case version.
The first decentralized cryptocurrency created 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto. It lets you send and receive money without any middlemen like banks.
A clone (AKA "fork") of Bitcoin that focuses on processing high volumes of transactions differently. It was created because of disagreements about how to grow digital currency in the best way.
A clone (AKA ââ¬Åforkââ¬Â) of Bitcoin that focuses on handling high volumes of transactions differently. Similar to Bitcoin Cash and also created because of community disagreements.
The controversial business license issued for cryptocurrency companies in New York. Created and provided by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS).
A collection of transactions that have happened during a certain amount of time (10 minutes for Bicoin). The transactions are bundled in a block and added to the Blockchain.
A tool to see detailed information of transactions, accounts, and other activity on a Blockchain. Depending on the cryptocurrency, sweeping data or limited data is available.
Bitcoin's supply of new coins issued to miners is cut in half about every four years to keep it scarce. This 50% cut is known as the halving. The next halving will be around 2020.
Refers to the total number of blocks on a given cryptocurrency blockchain. It starts with the first block, also known as the Genesis Block (Height 0) and counts up from there.
Payment made to the volunteers who offer their computers to facilitate transactions on a blockchain network. The payment can be a mix of new coins and transaction fees.
Shows the file size of each block on a blockchain and therefore how many transactions can be bundled and processed in each one. For Bitcoin, the current block size is 1MB.
A decentralized, unchangeable record of all transactions that have ever happened for a cryptocurrency. It bundles transactions in order on blocks and stores them permanently.
BTC is the short ticker symbol for Bitcoin, which is often used in exchanges and other financial platforms. Bitcoin is the first decentralized cryptocurrency, created in 2008.
A reward offered for finding vulnerabilities and other issues in computer code. Often offered by cryptocurrency companies like exchanges and wallet providers to prevent hacks.
A person that is optimistic and confident that market prices will be going up. This person is also known to be "bullish" about the market and price expectations.
A false market signal where the falling trend of a asset appears to be turning up, but actually is not. Long buyers can be forced to exit their positions to stop loosing money.
Intraditional payment systems (like credit cards), a customer can reverse a transaction and force the merchant to return funds. This is prevented with cryptocurrencies.
Software which can access blockchain on a local computer and also helps processing the blockchain transactions. Often includes a cryptocurrency software wallet.
The offline safekeeping of private keys which allows users with an access to cryptocurrency funds. Typically this is done through hardware wallets, USB drives, and paper wallets.
Each past block makes a transaction more irreversible because it stores them more deeply in the blockchain. For every tiime when that happens, it is called a confirmation.
An automated mechanism that allows blockchain participants to agree on which transactions happened and in which order. This agreement is known as a trustless consensus.
A point in time when blockchain participants agree on which transactions happened and in which order. It can be based on a time interval or based on a volume of transactions.
A digital currency that uses strong computer code (cryptography) and a decentralized system to allow the transactions without using middlemen like banks or digital currency.
A peer-to-peer layer of the internet that can only be accessed with special software. It is known as Darknet because it often involves illegal marketplaces and illicit activity.
Applications that run without the control of a central authority (like a software company or government). Ethereum is the first and largest decentralized application platform.
An investor-funded and directed venture capital crowd-fund built on the Ethereum network that was hacked in June 2016 and subsequently shut down.
A method for decentralized funding of projects. It combines ideas from Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Project investors have the ability to vote and, if dissatisfied with the project's progress, could get their money back. Proposed by Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Ethereum.
A peer-to-peer exchange that allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrency and other assets without the control or fees of a central authority. Unlike central services like CoinBase.
A smart-contract based organization that uses automated rules to run without a central authority. Funding, voting, and more are all handled via platforms like Ethereum.
A measurement of how difficult it is for a miner to solve the mathematical puzzle required to process a cryptocurrency block. The difficulty can change over time.
A digital currency that uses strong computer code (cryptography) and a decentralized system to allow for transactions without using middlemen like banks. AKA cryptocurrency.
Personal information like name, address, social security number, and more that are bundled and stored digitally. For blockchain digital identity can be stored decentralized.
A system that is not controlled and cannot be changed by a central authority like a person, company, or government. Most cryptocurrencies are decentralized systems.
A type of computer database that is stored on many private computers at the same time, instead of central company servers. Blockchains are also known as distributed ledgers.
A problem in which somebody fraudulently sends digital money to two different receivers (even though they only have enough for one transaction). Bitcoin solves this issue.
The use of mathematics and computer code (cryptography) to protect sensitive data like digital wallets, private keys, and personal information from unauthorized access.
A group of Ethereum core developers, startups, and large companies working together to commercialize and use Ethereum for different business applications.
A token that represents an ownership interest in a company. Equity tokens work similar to traditional stocks and may include voting rights. Equity tokens are also used to represent ownership rights in company debt. They are designed to improve transparency and liquidity (the ability to buy and sell the equity when investors need it).
ETH is the short ticker symbol for Ethereum, which is often used in exchanges and other financial platforms. Ethereum is a platform for creating and running smart contracts.
The digital currency of the Ethereum network. Ether is used to pay the transaction and processing fees of Ethereum decentralized applications and smart contracts.
A platform for creating and running smart contracts. These are programmable applications that run exactly as promised - without downtime, censorship, or interference.
A system on which assets like cryptocurrencies can be bought, sold, and stored. Exchanges can be centralized where a company controls them; or decentralized (peer-to-peer).
A security that tracks a basket of assets such as stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies but can be traded like a single stock. Bought and sold on traditional stock exchanges.
A term used to describe traditional government-issued and backed currencies like dollars, Euros, and Yen. Not backed by physical commodities but by legal tender laws.
A potential future event, hoped for by Ethereum fans, where the total market cap of Ethereum surpasses the total market cap of Bitcoin while making Ethereum the most valuable.
A potential future event, hoped for by Ethereum fans, where the total market cap of Ethereum surpasses the total market cap of Bitcoin while making Ethereum the most valuable.
A change to the software and rules of a cryptocurrency that creates two separate versions of the currency's blockchain. Forks can be soft forks or hard forks. You will get to know more about them among the fields below.
According to internet culture term FUD stands for Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. It means negative information that is being purposefully spread about an asset to make people sell.
Contracts to buy assets (like cryptocurrencies and stocks) with an agreement for future delivery on a regulated stock exchange. It is used to speculate on the future price of an asset.
To run decentralized applications and smart contracts on the Ethereum network, apps calculate their usage using an internal pricing unit called Gas. Actual fees are then paid in Ether.
A blockchain is a string of "blocks" that are linked together in order. Each block is a collection of bundled transactions. The genesis block is the very first block of a blockchain.
Bitcoin's supply of newly generated coins is cut in half about every four years to keep it scarce. This 50% cut if known as the halving. The next halving will happen around 2020.
A change to the rules of a cryptocurrency that creates two separate versions of the blockchain. Hard forks are changes that are not backward compatible with previous rules.
A physical storage device fo cryptocurrencies that uses special technologies to protect the assets on it. Examples of hardware wallets are the products Ledger Nano S and Trezor.
Cryptographic computer code works like a one-way street. It's easy to decipher 250 + 250 = ? but much harder to find the correct answer (out of many) for ? + ? = 500.
The number of hash computations that can be performed by a cryptocurrency miner with their computer hardware. The rate determines their mining effectiveness and profit.
Internet culture term that stands for the resolve to hold assets over a longer period without selling. Became popular after an internet user misspelled the word hold.
The online safekeeping of private keys which allow for access to cryptocurrency funds. Typically this is done through open-source online wallets and digital asset exchanges.
A public, crowdfunded sale of cryptocurrency tokens to raise money for a project. Typically, company-specific tokens are offered in exchange for Bitcoin and Ethereum.
For cryptocurrencies, an intermediary is a traditional middleman like a bank. It's a central third party that no longer is required in a decentralized Blockchain system.
Laws and regulations that require banks and other financial institutions to keep and report many details of their customers' personal information and transactions.
Short for Lamborghini, the luxury sportscar. Popular internet meme that is used to show the large gains made by cryptocurrency investors, who dream of buying the car.
A store of records that can only be appended (added to). It is immutable (unchangeable after the fact). Blockchains use decentralized ledgers as their core technology.
A popular hardware wallet, designed and sold by the French company Ledger Wallet. The company offers different products, including Ledger Nano S and Ledger Blue.
A proposed change to Bitcoin's blockchain that's designed to fascilitate faster transactions and better scaling. Involves bi-directional payment channels and other changes.
An offshoot of Bitcoin with very similar features. However, this cryptocurrency is designed for very cheap and fast transaction. Has the goal to become digital money.
An offshoot of Bitcoin with very similar features. However, this cryptocurrency is designed for very cheap and fast transaction. Has the goal to become digital money.
This is some Refers to the trading practice where existing assets are used as collateral for short-term loans. The loans are then used in risky trades to magnify the gain or loss of the trade.text inside of a div block.
The total value of an asset, calculated by multiplying the total number of outstanding shares (or coins) and the price per share (or coin). Represents total size and popularity.
A system that splits complicated hash code functions into smaller chunks (creating a tree-like shape). This allows faster verification on large-scale blockchains.
A business model where very small payments can be made in exchange for digital goods and services. For example, paying a tiny fee for every page of an ebook you read.
For cryptocurrencies, a middleman is a traditional intermediary like a bank. It's a central third party that no longer is required in a decentralized Blockchain system.
An important participant in the blockchain network, who bundles transactions and gets paid in new coins and transaction fees in return for helping to run the system.
The process by which transactions get verified, bundled, and added to the Blockchain. It's an essential part of any cryptocurrency, because it processes all transactions.
A group of people or organizations who come together to pool and share their computer resources for cryptocurrency mining. They split the rewards as well afterwards.
The payment resulting from volunteering computer resources to process cryptocurrency transactions. Mining rewards are often a mix of new coins and transaction fees.
A computer setup that's specially designed for mining a cryptocurrency. Often involves multiple graphic cards (GPUs) or other complicated setups for maximum efficiency.
A secure, private, and untraceable cryptocurrency. Monero is focused on being anonymous internet money, hiding your accounts and transactions from anybody but you.
Refers to a cryptocurrencyâs price shooting up to astronomical levels. A popular internet slang term used to describe the positive past or future performance of an asset.
Some cryptocurrency wallets and addresses are protected by multiple keys. Several people are required to approve (sign) transactions before they can take place.
A participant in a cryptocurrency network that provides a copy of the entire blockchain to the network. All miners host a node, but not all nodes have to mine cryptocurrency.
A digital currency that is created (minted) outside the blockchain ledger but is used on the blockchain ledger. Example: government currencies that get used on the blockchain.
Cryptocurrency wallets can be stored on devices and systems that are connected to the internet or not. Offline storage is an additional protection from hacking.
A digital currency that is both created (mined) on the blockchain ledger and also used on the blockchain ledger. Most cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) are on-ledger currencies.
Cryptocurrency wallets can be stored on devices and systems that are connected to the internet or not. Online storage is the former case, offers more convenience but also increased risk.
A collaborative and open software development approach that encourages experimentation and sharing. Project computer code is offered to others to work with and modify.
For blockchain, an oracle is an automated system that decides based on pre-set rules and real-world events. It's an essential function that helps to arbitrate smart contracts.
A type of cold storage where private and public keys (and often a QR code) are printed or written on physical paper to prevent hacking and theft.
A peer-to-peer network that distributes computing tasks among many, private computers (decentralized), instead of using company computers (centralized).
Similar to a ledger (see above) but designed with restrictions, so that only a select group of people or organizations have permission to access it.
A string of letters and numbers that are used for sending cryptocurrency. The private key should be kept secret because it enables spending with the cryptocurrency wallet.
For Proof of Stake, miners still process and validate transactions, but they do so by proving that they have ownership of a certain amount of the asset, rather than by performing energy-intensive computations. For PoS, miners ââ¬Ålock upââ¬Â their assets (thatââ¬â¢s the ââ¬Åstakeââ¬Â) and then promise to fairly process transactions: If they do an honest job, they get rewarded with transactions fee payments, but if they try to cheat, they get penalized and lose some or all of their locked assets. So in short, this system financially incentives honest behavior. Proof of Stake is designed to be more environmentally friendly than Proof of Work.
For Proof or Work, so-called ââ¬Åminersââ¬Â process transactions by using computers to solve complicated mathematical puzzles. They ââ¬Åproofââ¬Â that they did this computational work by finding solutions to those puzzles. By doing this, they help validate and process transactions and in turn are paid for their work with transactions fees and with newly created coins.
A string of letters and numbers that are used to receive cryptocurrency. Works similar to a traditional bank account number and can be shared publicly with others.
A cryptographic system that uses both a private key and public key to safeguard transactions. It's the central security-layer behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Investment scheme that advertises the benefits of a certain asset, with the hope that a lot of people buy it and raise the price. The asset is then sold by the originator for profit.
A machine-readable label that shows information encoded into a graphical black-and-white pattern. For cryptocurrencies, it is often used to easily share wallet addresses with others.
An upcoming protocol change to the Ethereum blockchain that is designed to allow for high-speed transfers and better scaling. Similar to Bitcoin's proposed Lightning Network.
A blockchain ledger (see above) with one main copy of the data (master ledger), connected to a set of sub-layers of the same data (slave ledgers).
The percentage gain that was made with an investment or asset. For example, a 100% ROI means that the price of the asset or investment has doubled in value.
A Blockchain payment system for banks, payment providers, digital asset exchanges, and other companies. Designed to move large amounts of money more quickly and reliably.
Named after the creator of Bitcoin, a Satoshi is the smallest unit of measure of the cryptocurrency. Each Satoshi is 0.00000001 Bitcoin, making the currency very divisible.
The mysterious creator of Bitcoin. Even though Bitcoin was created in 2008, to this day nobody knows his or her true identity. Satoshi could be a woman, a man, or a group.
Short for Securities and Exchange Commission. A United States government agency that regulated securities (stocks, bonds, etc.) as well as stock exchanges.
A proposed change to Bitcoin's blockchain that would increase the block size limit from 1MB to 2MB for faster transactions. The implementation would be a fork (see above).
A very strong cryptographic standard that is used as the basis for Bitcoin's and other proof of work systems (see above). It is also the technology that protects wallets.
A scaling solution for blockchains to improve high-volume transaction speeds. Instead of every node (see above) holding a full blockchain copy, they only hold partial copies.
Aggressively advertising an asset for personal financial gain, even to the detriment of others and often while distorting the truth. Also known as pumping.
A now defunct marketplace on the Darknet (see above) that was shut down by the FBI. It was best known for selling drugs and other illegal products and accepted Bitcoin.
Self-running computer code that makes decisions based on pre-set rules that later cannot be changed. The most well-known implementation is the Ethereum system.
A change to the rules of a cryptocurrency that creates two separate versions of the blockchain. Soft forks are changes that are backwards compatible with previous rules.
Computer programming language that is used to develop smart contracts and decentralized applications on the Ethereum platform and other blockchains.
A system that moves transaction interactions off the blockchain to reduce cost and increase speed. Transactions are locked until all participants agree and verify them.
An alternative blockchain that is not public and live. It is used to test new code and doesn't transact any real money or value. Allows developers to experiment and learn.
A unit of value for a blockchain system. Tokens can be used for payment, access, voting, and facilitating the overall blockchain infrastructure. Most tokens are based on Ethereum.
Refers to a distributed blockchain ledger that doesnââ¬â¢t require a token (see above) or other native digital currency to function and to facilitate transactions.
Payment made to the volunteers who process transactions on a blockchain (miners). Transaction fees can vary by cryptocurrency and also by the desired transaction speed.
A popular hardware cryptocurrency wallet. Trezor was the first Bitcoin hardware but today it offers support for altcoins such as Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash, and more.
Blockchains are trustless because no participant needs to trust any other participant for transactions to work out. Trust comes from the system itself, which is impartial.
A computer system or computer language is Turing complete (computationally universal), if it can process any code which is a general-purpose computer could. Example: Ethereum.
A ledger (see above) that doesn't require the approval of a central authority to be used. It is not owned by anyone and open to participation. A good example is Bitcoin itself.
A token that grants owners access to Blockchain products or services for specific projects. These tokens are not intended to be investments or to grant equity ownership in a project, though some investors speculate on a potential future price increase. Utility tokens are also known as utility coins, app coins, and user tokens.
A cryptocurrency public address (see above) that includes custom letters and numbers that are human-readable. An example would look like 1r4523COINCOIN7u01174234kf.
Rusian-Canadian programmer and creator of the decentralized application platform Ethereum. Vitalik also contributed to other open-source projects.
Created by the rapid and repeated move of an asset's price in both directions (up and down). Volatility adds uncertainty and risk to a market, but can also present opportunity.
A digital wallet is where cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are stored. More specifically, coins are actually stored in the Blockchain itself - to which the wallet merely gives access.
A type of cryptocurrency wallet that is online (hot storage). Most cryptocurrency exchange wallets are web wallets. Popular for their convenience but can increase hacking risk.
The smallest fraction of an Ether coin (Ether is the native currency of the Ethereum network). One Ether is made of 1000000000000000000 Wei, making Ether very divisible.
An investor that holds a very large amount of an asset. For cryptocurrencies, whales are often early buyers of a coin or large, institutional buyers that hold a massive stake.
A formal, scientifically-written description of an idea or project. Whitepapers cover the theory and practical applications of cryptocurrencies, as well as many technical details.
XMR is the short ticker symbol for Monero, which is often used on exchanges and other financial platforms. Monero is a privacy-focused, untraceable cryptocurrency.
Cryptocurrency transactions are confirmed at regular intervals. New transactions have zero confirmations, which means they have not been verified yet and are less reliable.
In cryptography, a zero knowledge proof enables one party to provide evidence that something happened to another party - all without revealing private details.
Cryptocurrency's strength comes from a distributed computer network. If anybody gains control of more than 50% of them, they control the network and can double spend coins.
