Crypto Glossary

Two-Factor Authentication - an extra security layer requiring two forms of verification to access accounts.

Fake token distributions that require users to connect wallets or pay fees, resulting in theft of funds.

Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.

Automated Market Maker - an algorithm that automatically sets token prices based on supply and demand in liquidity pools.

A project team that hasn't revealed their real identities, which can be a red flag.

All-Time High - the highest price a cryptocurrency has ever reached.

All-Time Low - the lowest price a cryptocurrency has ever reached.

A professional review of smart contract code to identify vulnerabilities and security issues.

Hidden code in smart contracts that allows developers to manipulate the contract maliciously.

A market condition where prices are falling or expected to fall.

The token standard for creating fungible tokens on Binance Smart Chain.

A tool for viewing all transactions, addresses, and blocks on a blockchain.

A distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers securely.

A protocol that allows transferring assets between different blockchains.

A market condition where prices are rising or expected to rise.

Permanently removing tokens from circulation to reduce supply.

The number of tokens currently available and trading in the market.

An initial period during vesting where no tokens are released.

A cryptocurrency with its own independent blockchain (like Bitcoin or Ethereum).

A cryptocurrency wallet not connected to the internet, providing maximum security for long-term storage.

The mechanism by which blockchain networks agree on the state of the ledger.

Decentralized Autonomous Organization - a community-governed organization using smart contracts.

Using AI-generated fake videos or audio of celebrities/influencers to promote fraudulent crypto projects.

Decentralized Finance - financial services built on blockchain without traditional intermediaries like banks.

Decentralized Exchange - a platform for trading cryptocurrencies directly between users without a central authority.

Holding an investment through volatility without selling, regardless of price movements.

A project team whose real identities are publicly known and verified.

Do Your Own Research - the practice of thoroughly investigating projects before investing.

The standard protocol for creating fungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.

When project developers disappear after collecting funds from investors, often through ICOs or presales.

Taking advantage of a vulnerability in code to steal funds or manipulate a protocol.

A token launch with no presale or team allocation, giving everyone equal opportunity.

Uncollateralized loans that must be borrowed and repaid within a single blockchain transaction.

Fear Of Missing Out - emotional response that leads to impulsive investment decisions.

Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt - negative information spread to manipulate market sentiment.

The transaction fee paid to blockchain validators for processing and confirming transactions.

A token that gives holders voting rights on project decisions.

A unique cryptographic fingerprint that identifies data or transactions.

A function in smart contracts that allows developers to create unlimited new tokens, diluting existing holders' value.

A malicious smart contract that allows users to buy tokens but prevents them from selling. The contract contains hidden code that blocks sell transactions.

A cryptocurrency wallet connected to the internet, convenient for trading but more vulnerable to attacks.

Initial Coin Offering - a fundraising method where new tokens are sold to early investors.

Initial DEX Offering - a token launch conducted through a decentralized exchange.

The temporary loss liquidity providers experience when the price ratio of deposited tokens changes.

Know Your Customer - identity verification process used by some crypto platforms to comply with regulations.

The base blockchain network (like Ethereum, Bitcoin, or Solana).

Scaling solutions built on top of Layer 1 blockchains to improve speed and reduce costs.

When liquidity tokens are locked in a smart contract for a set period, preventing developers from removing funds.

Smart contracts containing locked crypto assets that provide liquidity for decentralized trading.

The live, production version of a blockchain network where real transactions occur.

The total value of a cryptocurrency, calculated by multiplying price by circulating supply.

The maximum number of tokens that will ever exist for a cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrencies created as jokes or based on internet memes, often highly speculative.

Creating new tokens, which increases the total supply.

Multi-signature wallet requiring multiple private keys to authorize transactions, adding security layers.

Non-Fungible Token - a unique digital asset representing ownership of specific items like art or collectibles.

A service that provides external data to smart contracts, which can be a point of attack if compromised.

Selling an investment quickly at the first sign of price decline or negative news.

Fraudulent attempts to steal sensitive information like private keys or seed phrases by impersonating legitimate services.

A long-term scam where fraudsters build trust with victims over time before convincing them to invest in fake platforms.

A fraudulent investment scheme paying returns to earlier investors using capital from newer investors.

Proof of Stake - a consensus mechanism where validators stake tokens to validate transactions.

Proof of Work - a consensus mechanism requiring computational work to validate transactions.

A token sale before the public launch, often at discounted prices.

A secret cryptographic code that proves ownership of a crypto wallet and allows signing transactions.

A smart contract pattern that allows upgrades, which can be legitimate or used maliciously.

A scheme where scammers artificially inflate a token's price through false hype, then sell their holdings at the peak, crashing the price.

A smart contract where the owner has given up control, preventing future changes (can be good or bad).

A project's planned timeline of development milestones and feature releases.

A scam where developers abandon a project and run away with investors' funds, typically by draining liquidity from a trading pool.

A series of 12-24 words that can recover a cryptocurrency wallet. Must be kept secret and secure.

Slang for low-quality cryptocurrencies with no real utility or value proposition.

The difference between the expected price of a trade and the actual executed price.

Self-executing code stored on a blockchain that automatically enforces the terms of an agreement.

Locking up cryptocurrency to support network operations and earn rewards.

A testing version of a blockchain where developers can experiment without real money.

A digital asset created on an existing blockchain, representing various utilities or values.

The economic model of a token, including supply, distribution, and utility.

Total Value Locked - the total amount of assets deposited in a DeFi protocol, indicating its size and trust.

A schedule that releases tokens gradually over time to prevent immediate selling.

An individual or entity holding a large amount of cryptocurrency that can influence market prices.

A detailed document explaining a project's technology, goals, tokenomics, and roadmap.

The practice of moving crypto assets between protocols to maximize returns through interest, rewards, or token incentives.