Are you new to the world of cryptos? Are you struggling to make sense of all the acronyms and terms thrown around in this fast-growing landscape? That said, there’s a good chance that even if you’ve been involved in the crypto space for quite some time, you might well be unaware of what some crypto terminology means.
Fear not! We’re here with a comprehensive guide to all the crypto terms thrown around in the industry of crypto projects. From ASIC to WAGMI – we cover everything you need to know about navigating this complex world of digital currencies. Read on for our definitive guide and become an expert in no time.
Common Technical Crypto Acronyms and Terms
Here, we’ll break down some of the most common technical acronyms related to cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
CEX – Centralized Exchange:
A CEX (centralized exchange) is an innovative platform that enables users to purchase, sell and trade digital assets with each other. These exchanges are typically managed by a company or organization that facilitates transactions between buyers and sellers. Examples of popular CEXs include Coinbase and Binance.
DAO – Decentralised Autonomous Organisation:
A decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO) is an organization in which members make all decisions collectively using a consensus-driven system. It operates without any central authority or governing body, instead relying on a code of rules implemented by its members. The most famous example of a DAO is The DAO project, which was created on Ethereum in 2016 but failed due to security issues.
Dapp – Decentralized Application:
A decentralized application (dapp) is a software program built on top of a blockchain that allows users to interact directly with the blockchain network and each other in a trustless manner. Dapps typically have their own tokens to facilitate transactions within the dapp’s ecosystem. Popular examples include CryptoKitties and Augur.
DeFi – Decentralised Finance:
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is a movement that aims to create financial services on a blockchain-based platform. These services include lending, borrowing, and investing in digital assets without the need for centralized intermediaries. Popular DeFi projects include MakerDAO and Compound Finance.
DEX – Decentralized Exchange:
A decentralized exchange (DEX) is an exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies directly with each other without needing to go through any centralized third-party intermediaries like traditional stock exchanges or CEXs such as Coinbase or Binance. Since there is no single point of failure in these systems, they are considered more secure than their centralized counterparts, as no central entity can be hacked or manipulated to gain access to user funds or data. Famous examples include Uniswap and Kyber Network Exchange (KNC).
EVM – Ethereum Virtual Machine:
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is the runtime environment for smart contracts written in Solidity on the Ethereum blockchain network. It executes code exactly as programmed without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud, or third-party interference making it one of the key components of Ethereum’s infrastructure, allowing developers to build complex applications securely on top of it.
PoA – Proof of Authority:
Proof of Authority is a consensus mechanism that relies on the reliability and trustworthiness of a centralized authority to validate transactions within a blockchain network. This authority predefines who can verify transactions to ensure that the validator is trustworthy and has the network’s best interests in mind.
PoS – Proof-of-Stake:
Proof-of-Stake is another popular consensus mechanism used for transaction validation within a blockchain network. In this case, participants must stake their coins or tokens to be eligible as validators. The number of coins or tokens staked determines the likelihood a participant will be chosen as a validator and rewarded for their work.
PoW – Proof-of-Work:
Proof-of-Work (PoW) is a consensus algorithm used by many blockchain networks, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. It requires miners to solve complex mathematical problems to prove that they have done the work necessary to add a new block of transactions to the chain.
A Beginner’s Guide to Some Common Crypto Slang
Altcoin:
An altcoin is an alternative coin to Bitcoin. It is any digital currency that is not Bitcoin, such as Ethereum, Litecoin, etc. Altcoins are typically used for trading or investment purposes.
ASIC:
ASIC stands for “Application-Specific Integrated Circuit,” computing power refers to a computer chip designed for a particular task or application. In cryptocurrency mining, ASICs mine coins faster than traditional CPUs or GPUs.
Bitcoin:
Bitcoin (BTC) is a digital currency created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto. It was the first decentralized cryptocurrency and has been widely adopted as payment and store of value.
Coin Wallet:
A coin wallet is a digital wallet where users can store their coins (i.e., tokens). Several types of wallets are available depending on your needs – from hot wallets connected to the Internet or cold wallets used offline. Wallet addresses are public keys that act like bank account numbers – they can be shared with others so they can transfer funds into your wallet.
Crypto Wallet:
A crypto wallet is a software program that stores a public or private key and interacts with various blockchain networks to enable users to send or receive digital currency, monitor their balance, and track transaction history. Two primary forms of crypto wallets are hardware wallets and software wallets.
Distributed Ledger:
The distributed ledger is the backbone of both cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. It is essentially a digital ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. It is decentralized, meaning no single entity controls it, and it is immutable, meaning that all transactions are final once they have been recorded on the ledger. This makes the distributed ledger incredibly secure because it eliminates any potential for fraud or tampering with data.
Market Capitalisation/Cap
Market capitalization (or “market cap”) refers to the total value of a cryptocurrency’s circulating supply multiplied by its current price per token or coin. Market cap gives investors an indication of how much a particular cryptocurrency is worth compared to other cryptos based on their respective market caps.
Gas:
Gas is a term that describes the fees associated with validating transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Transaction fees are paid in Ether, Ethereum’s native token and each transaction require a certain amount of gas depending on its compl
Crypto Mining:
Crypto mining is the process by which new blocks are added to the blockchain by solving complex mathematical puzzles using powerful computers known as miners. Miners receive incentives in the form of newly created coins when they solve these puzzles correctly, which helps keep them motivated and ensures that new blocks are added to the chain regularly.
Crypto Token:
Crypto tokens are digital assets that can be bought, sold, and traded on a blockchain network. They usually represent goods or services issued by companies that have launched an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). Examples of popular crypto tokens include Ethereum’s Ether (ETH), Ripple’s XRP, and EOS’ EOS.
Smart Contract:
A smart contract is an agreement between two parties written into code and stored on the blockchain network that executes automatically when certain conditions are met. This eliminates any potential for disputes since all terms are clearly defined within the code and cannot be changed without consensus from both parties involved in the agreement. Smart contracts also make transactions more secure because they eliminate any potential for fraud or manipulation since all conditions must be met before the execution takes place.
XPR:
XPR stands for XRP, a digital asset used as a currency on Ripple’s payment network, RippleNet. XRP can facilitate cross-border payments quickly and securely due to its low transaction fees and fast transaction speeds.
Whitepaper:
Whitepaper refers to a document that contains detailed information about a particular project, such as its goals, objectives, technical details, roadmap, etc. Whitepapers usually serve as marketing material but are also useful for investors who want to understand more about a project before investing their money into it. They provide valuable insights into how each aspect works together to succeed in the long term.
A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto Exchange Acronyms For Crypto Community
2FA – Two-Factor Authentication:
Two Factor Authentication (2FA) is a security measure many crypto exchanges use to help protect user accounts from unauthorized access. It requires users to provide two pieces of information when logging in to their accounts, such as a username/password combination plus an additional code sent via text message or email. This helps ensure that only the account holder has access to their funds.
ICO – Initial Coin Offering:
An Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is a fundraising event that allows companies launching new cryptocurrency projects to raise capital by selling tokens or coins. ICOs are typically used for startups to get funding without going through traditional investment channels like venture capitalists or banks.
KYC – Know Your Customer:
Know Your Customer (KYC) is a process that requires customers of crypto exchanges and other financial services companies to verify their identity before they can use the service. This process helps prevent fraud and money laundering and ensures that only legitimate customers access the service.
P2P – Peer-to-Peer:
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) trading allows users on a crypto exchange platform to trade directly with each other without having to go through an intermediary party such as an exchange or broker. This type of trading offers greater liquidity than traditional markets. It can be faster and more cost-effective for traders. Still, it does come with certain risks associated with counterparty risk, which means users need to take extra precautions when engaging in P2P trading.
PnD – Pump and Dump:
A Pump and Dump (PnD) scheme occurs when one or more investors buy large amounts of cryptocurrency at once to artificially inflate its price, then dump it on unsuspecting buyers after the price has risen significantly. These schemes are illegal in most countries and can result in serious financial losses if not properly avoided.
ROI – Return on Investment:
Return on Investment (ROI) measures how much money was earned relative to the amount invested in an asset over time. ROI can be used to evaluate any investment, including cryptocurrencies, stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. Knowing your expected ROI can help you make informed decisions about where to invest your money for maximum returns.
SATS:
SATS stands for “Satoshi,” a unit of bitcoin equal to 0.00000001 BTC – one hundred millionth of one Bitcoin – named after Satoshi Nakamoto. Using this denomination provides an easier way for people who invest in cryptocurrencies because it’s easier than dealing with decimal places when making transactions involving tiny fractions of Bitcoin.
Understanding Trading Advice Acronyms For Crypto World
Buy The Dip (BTD):
This is a term traders use when the market is downswing, indicating that now is a good time to buy because prices are low. This advice is based on the idea that prices will eventually recover and go back up, allowing traders to profit as they ride out the dip.
Do Your Own Research (DYOR):
As with any investment opportunity, it pays to do your own research before making any decisions. Crypto trading is no different – researching trends, news, and other resources can help you better understand how certain coins might perform in the future. It’s important to remember that no one has perfect knowledge or insight into the future performance of any coin or asset, so DYOR should be considered part of any trading strategy.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out):
FOMO stands for “Fear Of Missing Out” and refers to feelings of anxiety or regret associated with not participating in an opportunity or event. In cryptocurrency trading, FOMO often refers to buying into a coin too late or missing out on an opportunity to make a profit because of hesitation. While this feeling can be hard to ignore, it’s important to stay disciplined and do your own research before making any decisions.
FUD (Fear Uncertainty and Doubt):
This acronym stands for “Fear Uncertainty and Doubt” and is used when discussing negative sentiment surrounding a certain cryptocurrency or industry news. FUD can be spread by malicious actors with the intent of scaring investors out of their coins, so it’s important to take news and advice from reputable sources and do your own research before making any decisions.
NGMI (Not Gonna Make It):
NGMI stands for “Not Gonna Make It,” which means that it looks like an investment isn’t going to pay off as expected or turn out well. This acronym is used when discussing investments unlikely to succeed or generate profits for investors. If someone ignores market advice or data and still invests in a coin, they are said to be “NGMI.”
WAGMI (We’re All Gonna Make It):
WAGMI stands for “We’re All Gonna Make It,” which means that everyone involved in investment has a high chance of profiting from it rather than losing money on their investment. This acronym is usually used when discussing investments with strong potential returns.
Final Verdict – Guide to Crypto Assets
Learning the language behind cryptocurrency trading can initially seem intimidating for crypto investors, but understanding these common acronyms will help you navigate the world of crypto trading more confidently. Whether you’re just getting started trading cryptocurrencies or have been doing it for years, knowing what these different acronyms mean will give you an edge when navigating this ever-changing field!
With this glossary, we hope you now understand what these terms mean so you can start your journey into your crypto project feeling informed.
