Crypto Glossary

Accrued Interest refers to the amount of interest that has been earned but not yet paid to the creditor in financial instruments. In cryptocurrency, it specifically applies to the time-proportional returns accumulated in DeFi lending protocols, staking services, and liquidity mining, typically calculated based on Annual Percentage Yield (APY) until settlement date or fund withdrawal.

Affiliates are individuals or entities that promote cryptocurrency products or services through specific links or codes and earn commissions from successfully converted users. This partnership operates on a performance-based compensation model, commonly structured as fixed fees, percentage of trading volume, recursive commissions, or tiered commission systems.

Arbitrageurs are market participants in cryptocurrency markets who seek to profit from price discrepancies of the same asset across different trading platforms, assets, or time periods. They execute trades by buying at lower prices and selling at higher prices, thereby locking in risk-free profits while simultaneously contributing to market efficiency by helping eliminate price differences and enhancing liquidity across various trading venues.

Altcoins refer to all cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. The term originated in the early days of the cryptocurrency industry to describe digital assets that imitated or served as alternatives to Bitcoin. As the industry has evolved, altcoins have developed into a diverse ecosystem encompassing cryptocurrencies with unique features, utilities, and technological innovations, including smart contract platforms, privacy coins, governance tokens, and utility tokens among various other types.

An aggregator is a blockchain infrastructure that consolidates data or services from multiple sources to optimize user experience and resource utilization. In DeFi, it specifically refers to platforms that connect various decentralized exchanges or liquidity sources, offering users optimal trade execution through smart routing technology. Data aggregators focus on collecting, standardizing, and displaying information from multiple blockchains, providing a unified perspective for market analysis.

Accretion in cryptocurrency refers to the gradual increase in value or quantity of digital assets over time, typically achieved through mechanisms like staking, liquidity mining, or yield farming. This concept emphasizes the progressive accumulation of assets rather than price appreciation from market fluctuations.

Altcoins (alternative coins) refer to all cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. These digital assets are based on various blockchain technologies and typically aim to improve upon Bitcoin's design or offer entirely new functionalities. They can be categorized into several types, including utility tokens (smart contract platforms), privacy coins, stablecoins, and others.

A cryptocurrency address is a unique string derived from a public key through hash functions and cryptographic algorithms, used to securely receive and send digital assets on blockchain networks while protecting the user's private key from exposure. Different blockchain networks employ distinct address formats, such as Bitcoin addresses beginning with "1", "3", or "bc1", while Ethereum addresses start with "0x".

All-Time High (ATH) refers to the highest market price that a specific cryptocurrency or digital asset has ever reached throughout its entire trading history. This metric serves as a crucial benchmark for measuring market cycles, price potential, and investor sentiment, typically forming a key psychological resistance level in technical analysis.

Smart contract audit is a professional security assessment process of blockchain code aimed at identifying potential vulnerabilities, logical flaws, and security risks. Conducted by specialized security teams, it includes static analysis, manual code review, and dynamic testing, culminating in a detailed report of vulnerabilities and remediation recommendations to ensure project security.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is an annualized percentage rate that represents investment returns or borrowing costs, calculated using simple interest without accounting for compounding effects. In cryptocurrency, APR is commonly used to measure annualized yields from staking, lending, and liquidity provision activities, helping users evaluate and compare investment benefits across different DeFi protocols.

Amalgamation refers to the strategic action in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry where two or more independent entities (such as projects, protocols, companies, or foundations) combine their respective assets, technologies, teams, and communities through acquisition, merger, or integration. Amalgamations can be categorized as horizontal (integration of similar projects) or vertical (integration of projects with different functions), resulting in complete absorption, equal mergers, or the formation

Accrue refers to the process by which value, rewards, or interest gradually accumulate over time. In the cryptocurrency environment, it specifically denotes the calculation method and accounting mechanism by which token rewards, interest, or other forms of economic value grow over time according to specific rules (such as linear, exponential, or compound methods).

Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is a financial metric that represents the total rate of return an investment might earn over a year when accounting for the effect of compounding. In cryptocurrency, it's commonly used to express the expected return rate on DeFi products such as staking, lending platforms, or liquidity pools, with compounding effects already calculated, allowing investors to intuitively compare the earning potential across different protocols.

In the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, an acquisition refers to the transaction process where one entity (typically a company, project, or protocol) obtains control or ownership of another entity through cash, tokens, equity exchange, or a combination of payment methods. This transaction may result in the acquired entity being fully integrated into the acquirer's business structure or maintaining some degree of operational independence.

An Automated Market Maker (AMM) is an algorithmic trading mechanism based on smart contracts that replaces traditional order books with mathematical formulas (typically constant product formulas like x*y=k) to create liquidity pools backed by token reserves, allowing traders to transact directly with a contract rather than counterparties. This mechanism enables decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to offer permissionless, 24/7 token swapping services without requiring a central authority to match trades.

Accountability definition refers to the systematic arrangements in blockchain networks that, through technical means and governance structures, ensure participants (including validator nodes, developers, token holders, etc.) are responsible for their decisions and actions. It encompasses elements of transparency measures, record-keeping, power distribution, incentive alignment, and penalty mechanisms designed to maintain network integrity and prevent abuse of power.

Allocation refers to the process of distributing digital assets or tokens to different participants or purposes according to predetermined rules in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Common types include token allocation, resource allocation, and mining reward allocation, typically detailed in a project's whitepaper, defining initial token distribution ratios, vesting periods, and release mechanisms that directly influence a project's incentive structure and long-term development.

Alpha refers to the excess return of an investment portfolio relative to a specific benchmark, such as a market index. It serves as a key metric for measuring the value-creating ability of investment strategies through active management, representing risk-adjusted returns generated purely through asset selection, market timing, or other active management approaches.

Anonymity refers to technologies and protocols in blockchain and cryptocurrency systems that protect users' real identities from being identified or tracked. Anonymity is implemented through cryptographic methods including ring signatures, zero-knowledge proofs, stealth addresses, and coin mixing techniques. It can be categorized into full anonymity and pseudonymity, with fully anonymous systems completely hiding the identities of transaction parties and amount information.

Anonymity in blockchain and cryptocurrency refers to the feature that allows users to conduct transactions or network activities without revealing their real identities. Anonymity can be classified as pseudonymous (like Bitcoin) or strongly anonymous (like Monero), with the latter employing cryptographic techniques such as ring signatures and zero-knowledge proofs to provide enhanced identity privacy protection.

Assets Under Management (AUM) refers to the total market value of assets that a financial institution or fund manages on behalf of investors. In cryptocurrency, it represents the total value of digital assets managed by crypto funds, ETPs, or DeFi protocols, typically measured in USD, serving as a key indicator of an asset manager's size and market influence.

Bandwidth refers to the capacity of a blockchain network to process data, typically measured by the amount of data transferred per second. It is a key technical indicator for measuring blockchain network performance and scalability, directly affecting transaction processing speed, node synchronization efficiency, and overall network throughput.

Barter is a direct trading system that operates without using fiat currency, where participants exchange goods or services directly to fulfill mutual needs. In blockchain, this concept has evolved into direct digital asset exchanges facilitated by smart contracts without intermediaries, though limited by challenges such as the "double coincidence of wants."

The BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) is a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund launched by BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024, allowing investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through traditional brokerage accounts without directly holding the digital asset.

Bitcoin Mining is the process of validating transactions and adding them to the blockchain by solving complex cryptographic puzzles, performed by miners using specialized computing equipment running the SHA-256 hash algorithm, with successful miners receiving block rewards and transaction fees as economic incentives. This Proof of Work mechanism ensures the decentralized security of the Bitcoin network and controls new coin issuance.

A Block Explorer is a web-based tool that allows users to search, navigate, and analyze blocks, transactions, addresses, and other data on a blockchain network, functioning as a search engine for blockchain that enables access to and verification of information in the distributed ledger without running a full node.

Bitcoin Request for Comments (BRC) is a framework for establishing standardized protocols on the Bitcoin blockchain, enabling developers to create new functionalities without modifying Bitcoin's core protocol. The most notable implementation is the BRC-20 standard, which uses Ordinals theory to enable fungible tokens on Bitcoin.

Biitcooin.com is a fraudulent website that deliberately uses a misspelled domain name similar to "Bitcoin" to perpetrate scams by impersonating legitimate platforms offering Bitcoin ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) investment services. This represents a classic cryptocurrency scam category that exploits investors' enthusiasm for Bitcoin ETF legitimization and their limited knowledge of cryptocurrencies to defraud users of their funds.

A Bull Market refers to a period of sustained upward price movement in the cryptocurrency markets, characterized by investor optimism, consistently rising prices, and increased trading volumes. The term originates from traditional financial markets, symbolizing a bull's upward thrust with its horns. Bull markets can be triggered by various factors including Bitcoin halving events, institutional capital inflow, favorable regulatory developments, or technological breakthroughs, typically lasting for months or

BitPay is a cryptocurrency payment processing service founded in 2011 that enables merchants to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment methods, with options to instantly convert received crypto assets to fiat currencies, helping businesses mitigate cryptocurrency price volatility risks.

BTFD (Buy The F**king Dip) is an investment strategy in cryptocurrency markets where traders deliberately purchase assets during significant price downturns, operating on the expectation that prices will eventually recover, allowing investors to capitalize on temporarily discounted assets when markets rebound.

BNB Scan is the official block explorer for Binance Smart Chain (BSC), designed to retrieve, query, and verify all on-chain transactions, smart contracts, and account information. As core infrastructure in the Binance ecosystem, it enables users to monitor block data, wallet addresses, token transfers, contract code, and network status in real-time, enhancing transparency and usability across the blockchain network.

The Bitcoin White Paper is a technical document published on October 31, 2008, by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, formally titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System." This 9-page document established the theoretical foundation for the first decentralized digital currency, detailing blockchain technology, proof-of-work consensus mechanism, trustless transaction verification system, and an innovative solution to the double-spending problem in digital currencies, marking a pivotal transition of

Bitcoin Mining Software refers to specialized programs that connect mining hardware to the Bitcoin network, managing mining devices (such as ASICs or GPUs) to perform hash calculations, validate transactions and attempt to create new blocks, while providing performance monitoring, temperature control, and mining pool communication capabilities.

Bitcoin mining machines are specialized computing devices designed specifically for Bitcoin mining, utilizing Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) technology to solve complex mathematical problems that validate transactions and add them to the blockchain in exchange for Bitcoin rewards. These devices have evolved from CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs to modern ASIC miners, optimized exclusively to perform SHA-256 hash algorithm calculations.

A cryptocurrency bubble refers to an unsustainable rapid rise in digital asset prices far beyond their fundamental values, characterized by irrational market optimism, excessive hype, and speculative behavior, ultimately resulting in a severe price correction or crash.

Bitcoin Dominance is a metric that measures the percentage of Bitcoin's market capitalization relative to the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies, indicating Bitcoin's relative dominance in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Often abbreviated as BTC.D, it serves as a critical technical reference for analyzing market cycles, capital flows, and investor risk appetite.

A crypto cold wallet is a secure offline storage method for cryptocurrencies that completely isolates users' private keys from the internet to prevent cyber attacks. Cold wallets primarily come in three forms: hardware devices, paper wallets, and offline software solutions, representing the highest security standard for cryptocurrency asset storage.

Commingling refers to the practice where cryptocurrency exchanges or custodial services combine and manage different customers' digital assets in the same account or wallet, maintaining internal records of individual ownership while storing the assets in centralized wallets controlled by the institution rather than by the customers themselves on the blockchain.

Crypto Lead in to Coin is a tokenomic model that enables pre-sale tokens, founder tokens, or project lead tokens to convert into a project's official tokens upon meeting specific conditions. This mechanism establishes a connection between project development and token value, typically implemented at critical stages such as mainnet launch, milestone achievement, or governance structure transformation.

Cryptology is the scientific study of information protection and concealment, divided into two main branches: cryptography (encryption) and cryptanalysis (decryption). As a foundational pillar for blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, cryptology secures digital assets and privacy through mechanisms including hash functions, asymmetric encryption, and digital signatures.

A custodian is a third-party entity or service provider responsible for the secure storage and management of clients' cryptocurrency assets, utilizing specialized security infrastructure to mitigate the risks and complexities associated with self-custody of private keys. These services typically fall into two main categories: cold storage custody (offline secure storage) and hot storage custody (online immediate access).

Collateral refers to assets provided by borrowers to secure cryptocurrency loans, serving as repayment guarantees in case of default. In decentralized finance (DeFi), these assets are locked in smart contracts until loan repayment or liquidation conditions are triggered, typically using over-collateralization mechanisms (125%-200% collateralization ratios) to mitigate market volatility risks.

A Centralized Exchange (CEX) is a cryptocurrency trading platform operated by a central entity that matches trades, custodies user assets, and provides trading services. Following a traditional intermediary model, CEXs typically require KYC verification, utilize order book trading systems, and offer various financial products, serving as the primary trading infrastructure in today's crypto market.

Cross-chain technology refers to solutions enabling interoperability between different blockchain networks, allowing seamless transfer and interaction of digital assets, data, and functionality across independent blockchain systems. This technology breaks down isolation barriers between blockchains through various mechanisms (such as hash time-locked contracts, relay chains, bridge protocols, etc.), creating a higher level of connectivity and value exchange capability for the entire blockchain ecosystem.

A crypto bubble refers to a speculative inflation of prices in cryptocurrency markets where asset values far exceed their fundamental worth, eventually leading to a dramatic collapse. This market behavior is characterized by extreme euphoria, exponential price growth, massive funding for projects lacking substantial applications, and subsequent large-scale price crashes, forming a distinctive boom-and-bust cycle unique to crypto markets.

Crypto Market Cap refers to the total economic value of a specific cryptocurrency or the entire crypto market, calculated by multiplying the number of tokens in circulation by the current market price. It can be categorized into individual cryptocurrency market cap and total market cap (the sum of market caps of all cryptocurrencies globally), serving as a standardized metric for evaluating the scale, market position, and relative influence of crypto assets.

Collateral refers to assets provided by borrowers to lenders as security in case of loan default. In the cryptocurrency ecosystem, collateral typically exists as crypto assets locked in smart contracts to secure loans or other financial services, usually requiring over-collateralization (value exceeding the loan amount) to mitigate market volatility risks.

A coin is a cryptocurrency that operates on its own independent blockchain network, typically used for store of value, medium of exchange, and unit of account. Coins are issued through consensus mechanisms such as mining or proof-of-stake, featuring decentralization, security, and programmability, representing the base currency layer in blockchain ecosystems.

A cipher is a mathematical algorithm that transforms plaintext information into seemingly random ciphertext, making it difficult to understand without authorization while allowing authorized parties to decrypt it using specific keys. In the blockchain domain, ciphers primarily fall into three categories: symmetric encryption (using the same key for encryption and decryption), asymmetric encryption (using public-private key pairs), and hash functions (one-way transformations), collectively forming the securi

Capitulation refers to the mass, rapid liquidation of assets by market participants dominated by panic sentiment, usually accompanied by significant price crashes and surging trading volumes. This behavior reflects a collective psychological state where investors give up hope and accept losses, often marking the final stage of a downtrend cycle.

Discord is a social platform that integrates instant messaging, voice communication, and server creation. In the cryptocurrency space, it serves as the mainstream tool for project teams to establish official communities, distribute information, implement community governance, and facilitate user interaction. It features structured servers, granular role permissions, and bot automation, providing centralized community management solutions for decentralized projects.

An Epoch is a fixed time unit in blockchain networks defined by either a predetermined number of blocks or a specific time interval, used to organize network activities such as staking reward distribution, validator rotation, or protocol parameter adjustments. Epoch lengths vary across blockchains, with Bitcoin's epochs occurring every 210,000 blocks (approximately four years), while Proof of Stake networks like Ethereum 2.0 have shorter epochs lasting hours or days.

Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) is a blockchain-based organizational structure that uses smart contracts to automatically execute rules and decisions without central authority management. DAOs implement token-based voting mechanisms for governance, allowing members to participate in proposal voting based on their governance token holdings, with all activities transparently recorded on the blockchain.

Dumping refers to the rapid selling of large amounts of cryptocurrency assets within a short timeframe, typically resulting in significant price declines, characterized by sudden spikes in trading volume, sharp downward price movements, and dramatic shifts in market sentiment. This phenomenon can be triggered by market panic, negative news, macroeconomic events, or strategic selling by large holders ("whales"), and is considered a disruptive but normal phase in cryptocurrency market cycles.

Capitulation refers to the act of market participants completely losing confidence after enduring prolonged downward pressure, resulting in forced mass selling of assets. This phenomenon typically occurs in the late stages of bear markets, characterized by surging trading volumes, sharp price declines, and extreme pessimism, often considered a potential signal that the market may be approaching a bottom.

Diamond Hands refers to investors who refuse to sell their cryptocurrency assets despite extreme market volatility or downturns. The term originated in social media communities as a metaphor for the unwavering resolve and patience displayed by holders during price declines, contrasting with "Paper Hands" who sell at the first sign of market stress.

Barter refers to a trading system where goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without using money as an intermediary. As one of humanity's oldest economic activities, this exchange system relies on subjective value assessment by trading parties and requires a "double coincidence of wants" to complete transactions.

Amalgamation refers to the restructuring process where two or more cryptocurrency companies or projects combine to form a single entity, involving integration of technology stacks, token economic models, and governance structures. In the blockchain space, the terms amalgamation, merger, and consolidation, while having subtle differences, typically represent similar processes of resource integration aimed at enhancing market competitiveness, achieving technological synergies, or optimizing resource allocatio

Decryption is the process of converting encrypted data back to its original readable form. In cryptocurrency and blockchain contexts, decryption is a fundamental cryptographic operation that typically requires a specific key (such as a private key) to allow authorized users to access encrypted information while maintaining system security. Decryption can be categorized into symmetric decryption and asymmetric decryption, corresponding to different encryption mechanisms.

Accountability in blockchain and decentralized systems is a governance framework that ensures participants are responsible for their actions, built on three core elements: transparency, responsibility allocation, and consequence management. It functions through immutable records, cryptographic verification, and smart contract execution, differing from traditional centralized systems by incorporating both technical and social dimensions rather than relying on regulatory authorities.

Digital assets are cryptography-based digital representations of value that exist in electronic form and are verified and transacted through distributed ledger technology. They encompass multiple categories including cryptocurrencies, utility tokens, security tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), characterized by their programmability, disintermediation capabilities, and global instant transferability.

Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) is an alternative blockchain structure where transactions act as nodes connected by directed edges with no cycles, allowing parallel transaction confirmation to achieve higher network throughput and scalability.

Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) is a data structure composed of nodes and directional edges where no cyclic paths exist within the system. In blockchain, DAG serves as an alternative architecture to traditional linear blockchains, offering higher scalability and transaction throughput by enabling parallel transaction processing rather than sequential addition to a single chain.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is a blockchain-based financial system that provides traditional financial services through smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps) without requiring central authorities or intermediaries. As a category of financial innovation, DeFi encompasses lending platforms, decentralized exchanges, stablecoins, insurance products, and various other applications, with core characteristics of openness, transparency, and composability.

Asynchronous refers to a processing model in blockchain networks where operations can proceed without waiting for previous operations to complete, enabling parallel computation. Unlike traditional synchronous models, asynchronous mechanisms utilize non-blocking operations to significantly improve processing efficiency and network throughput, serving as a key technical solution to blockchain scalability challenges.

Decentralization is a fundamental characteristic of blockchain technology where no single entity has control over the system or network, with power, decision-making, and data validation distributed across multiple participating nodes. This structure eliminates the need for central authorities, making systems resistant to single points of failure, enhancing transparency and censorship resistance, while reducing manipulation risks.

Epochs are predefined periods of time or a specific number of blocks in blockchain networks that serve as fundamental time units for network operations, organizing activities such as validator elections, staking reward distribution, and system parameter updates. Epoch lengths vary across blockchains, with Ethereum 2.0 defining an epoch as 32 slots (approximately 6.4 minutes), while Cardano epochs last 5 days.

Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a distributed naming system built on the Ethereum blockchain that converts complex cryptocurrency addresses, content hashes, and metadata into human-readable names (such as "alice.eth"). Comprised of Registry and Resolver components, ENS functions as Web3 identity infrastructure, offering not only domain name resolution but also supporting digital identity representation, decentralized website access, and various other applications.

Encryption is a data security protection technique that converts plaintext information into unreadable ciphertext through algorithms, ensuring information confidentiality during transmission and storage. In blockchain and cryptocurrency domains, encryption technologies primarily fall into symmetric encryption (like AES), asymmetric encryption (such as RSA and elliptic curve algorithms), and hash functions (like SHA-256) that generate unique digital fingerprints.

An Epoch is a fundamental time unit in blockchain networks, representing a specific number of blocks or a predetermined timeframe during which the network performs certain operations or updates. Epoch length and functionality vary across different blockchain systems, typically used for network parameter adjustments, validator rotations, or reward distributions.

Etherscan is an independently developed Ethereum block explorer and analytics platform that allows users to search, view, and verify transactions, addresses, tokens, prices, and other activities on the Ethereum blockchain, providing transparency and accessibility to the Ethereum network.

An Epoch is a predefined unit of time or block count in blockchain networks, representing a complete cycle of network activity. During this period, the blockchain performs a specific set of operations such as updating validator sets, distributing staking rewards, or adjusting difficulty parameters. The length of epochs varies across different blockchain protocols and may be defined either by time (hours or days) or by block count (such as 32,768 blocks).

Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain network. It functions as the core economic unit of the Ethereum ecosystem, primarily used to pay transaction fees (known as "gas" fees), incentivize network validators, store value, and serve as the base monetary unit for all applications built on the Ethereum network.

Fiat money is legal tender issued by governments or central banks, deriving its value from government credit rather than physical commodities like gold. It possesses legal tender status, requiring mandatory acceptance within its jurisdiction. Examples include the US Dollar, Euro, and Chinese Yuan, which form the foundation of the current global monetary system.

Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) refers to a strategy of spreading negative, misleading, or exaggerated information to create market panic in the cryptocurrency space. This market manipulation tactic aims to influence investor sentiment and provoke irrational decision-making, such as panic selling. FUD typically emerges from three main sources: external regulatory threats, strategic attacks from competing projects, and market volatility generated by large holders seeking to accumulate at lower prices.

Fiat currency is a government-issued money declared as legal tender, deriving its value from the issuing government's creditworthiness rather than being backed by physical commodities like gold. As the predominant form of money in the modern global financial system, fiat currencies are managed by central banks or monetary authorities and carry the force of law for circulation and debt settlement.

Fiat currency refers to money issued and recognized by a nation or government, whose value is not directly backed by physical assets like gold or silver, but rather by government credit and legal provisions. Common fiat currencies include the US dollar, euro, and yuan, which are issued and managed by central banks and maintain value stability through monetary policy regulation.

Fungibility refers to the property of an asset or commodity where one unit can be completely substituted by another unit of the same type without changing its value or utility. In the blockchain space, fungible tokens are digital assets where each unit is identical, indistinguishable, and interchangeable with any other unit of the same token, such as Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) refers to the anxiety investors feel about potentially missing profitable opportunities, which drives them to make irrational investment decisions. In cryptocurrency trading, FOMO typically manifests as investors blindly buying assets after prices have already significantly increased, hoping to share in the market's upward momentum.

GMFU (Good Morning F*ck U) is a morning greeting ritual and social interaction format popular within cryptocurrency trading communities, originating on Twitter in early 2023. This phrase embodies traders' humorous attitude toward market volatility and community identity, typically posted on social media at market open or upon waking, and has evolved into a characteristic expression of cryptocurrency subculture.

"GM" (Good Morning) is a greeting widely used in cryptocurrency and NFT communities that has evolved from a simple abbreviation to a cultural identifier in the Web3 space, signifying community belonging and positive sentiment, used regardless of the actual time of day.

Hash is a cryptographic function that converts data of arbitrary size into a fixed-length string, known as a hash value or digital fingerprint. Hash functions possess three key properties: one-way function (irreversibility), deterministic output (same input always produces identical output), and avalanche effect (small input changes cause significantly different outputs). Common hash algorithms in blockchain include SHA-256 used by Bitcoin and Keccak-256 used by Ethereum.

HODL is a popular term in the cryptocurrency community that originated from a misspelling of "Hold" in a 2013 forum post, which has evolved to represent an investment strategy and philosophy of maintaining ownership of crypto assets for extended periods regardless of market volatility, reflecting a belief in the long-term value of cryptocurrencies.

Hedging is a risk management strategy that involves taking offsetting positions to mitigate the risk of potential losses. In cryptocurrency markets, hedging typically utilizes derivatives such as futures and options, or correlated but inversely moving assets, to protect portfolio value against market volatility while maintaining exposure to specific assets.

IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust) Price refers to the trading value of BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF in the secondary market, which allows investors to gain Bitcoin exposure through traditional brokerage accounts without directly holding the cryptocurrency. While closely tracking spot Bitcoin prices, IBIT may trade at a premium or discount to its net asset value.

An IOU (I Owe You) is a digital debt instrument on blockchain that represents a tokenized promise to repay a debt. These blockchain-based debt certificates enable creditor-debtor relationships to function without traditional financial intermediaries, operating through smart contracts in the DeFi (Decentralized Finance) ecosystem. IOUs provide alternative liquidity mechanisms for cryptocurrency holders through automated execution and settlement of debt obligations.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company or organization that provides internet access, data transmission, and related services to individuals and businesses by establishing and maintaining the network infrastructure connecting end users to the global internet. ISPs are typically categorized into three main types: access ISPs, transit ISPs, and content ISPs.

Immutability is a fundamental property of blockchain technology where data, once recorded on the blockchain, cannot be altered or deleted. Implemented through cryptographic hash functions and distributed consensus mechanisms, this characteristic ensures data integrity and trustworthiness across the network. Immutability can be categorized as physical (tamper-resistance at the technical level) or logical (constraints at the consensus rule level).

Initial DEX Offering (IDO) is a fundraising model for blockchain projects that involves issuing tokens directly to the public through decentralized exchange (DEX) platforms without centralized intermediaries. IDOs operate via smart contracts and liquidity pools, ensuring immediate token tradability post-issuance, characterized by high decentralization, instant liquidity, and low-barrier participation.

IBIT ETF (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) is a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund launched by BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, approved by the SEC in January 2024, allowing investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin prices through traditional brokerage accounts without directly holding or managing the cryptocurrency.

The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that directly tracks the spot price of Bitcoin, managed by BlackRock and listed on the Nasdaq exchange. It allows investors to gain indirect exposure to Bitcoin by purchasing ETF shares without dealing with technical aspects like managing cryptocurrency wallets or securing private keys. The fund holds physical Bitcoin as its underlying asset, custodied by Coinbase Custody, and charges a 0.25% annual management fee.

IBIT stock refers to the trading shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF issued by BlackRock, with the trading symbol "IBIT". It is a Bitcoin-based financial product that allows investors to track Bitcoin prices without directly holding the cryptocurrency, tradable through standard stock market platforms and subject to traditional securities trading rules and regulatory frameworks.

Immutability is a fundamental property of blockchain technology that prevents data from being altered or deleted once it has been recorded and received sufficient confirmations. Implemented through cryptographic hash functions linked in chains and consensus mechanisms, immutability ensures transaction history integrity and verifiability, providing a trustless foundation for decentralized systems.

IPO (Initial Public Offering) refers to the process by which a privately held company issues shares to the public for the first time, becoming a publicly traded entity. In the cryptocurrency space, the IPO concept has evolved to include various forms such as traditional stock exchange listings (like Coinbase), Security Token Offerings (STOs), and Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs), representing a significant milestone for blockchain projects in terms of fundraising and market maturity.

The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) launched by BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company, approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2024. This investment vehicle allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through conventional securities accounts without directly purchasing or managing cryptocurrency, serving as a significant investment tool for institutional entry into the Bitcoin market.

LARP (Live Action Role Playing) in the cryptocurrency community refers to individuals who pretend to possess deep expertise, extensive experience, or significant industry connections, spreading unverified cryptocurrency information and analysis on social media while actually lacking genuine professional qualifications.

LTV (Loan-to-Value) ratio is a metric that measures the proportion of a loan amount relative to the value of collateral, expressed as a percentage calculated by dividing the borrowed amount by the collateral value and multiplying by 100%. In cryptocurrency lending markets, LTV serves as a core risk management parameter that determines how much a borrower can borrow against their collateral value, while also establishing the threshold conditions for liquidation events.

LARPing (Live Action Role-Playing) in cryptocurrency refers to the act of individuals or entities pretending to possess expertise or successful experience to gain community trust or influence investment decisions. This term, borrowed from gaming culture, specifically describes participants who build false personas with unverifiable success stories and industry jargon to enhance their credibility and attract followers in the digital asset space.

Leverage refers to the practice where traders borrow funds to increase the size of their trading positions, controlling assets of greater value with smaller capital. In cryptocurrency trading, leverage is typically expressed as a ratio (such as 3x, 5x, 20x, etc.), indicating the multiple of the original investment that a trader can control in assets. For example, using 10x leverage means an investor can control assets worth $10,000 with just $1,000.

LFG is an acronym for "Let's F*cking Go," representing extreme bullish sentiment and a call to action in the cryptocurrency community. It's typically used when investors are strongly optimistic about a token or the overall market, expressing eagerness for price appreciation. This term serves both as an emotional expression and as a symbol of community identity, commonly used around positive market news or significant price rallies.

Miners are participants in blockchain networks who validate transactions and add them to the blockchain by solving complex cryptographic puzzles, earning the right to create new blocks and receive rewards, primarily functioning within Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism blockchains.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a non-binding agreement document used in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry that records cooperative intentions between parties rather than legal commitments. As an abbreviation for "Memorandum of Understanding," it provides a formal framework for potential partners to express mutual objectives, typically serving as a preliminary step before formal contracts or specific business collaborations.

Mempool (Memory Pool) is a temporary data structure in blockchain networks that stores pending transactions awaiting confirmation, serving as an intermediate staging area for transactions from the time they are broadcast until they are included in a block and confirmed. Each blockchain node typically maintains its own local mempool, storing transactions that have passed preliminary validation but haven't yet been included in a block by miners.

Market Cap (Market Capitalization) is a metric that measures the total economic scale of a cryptocurrency, calculated as: current token price × circulating supply. It reflects the market's overall valuation of the crypto asset and serves as the primary basis for project ranking and classification (large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap).

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) refers to a version of a product with just enough core features to satisfy early adopters, containing the basic functionalities that solve key pain points for the target users while omitting secondary features. In blockchain projects, an MVP typically manifests as an early version of a protocol, platform, or application with fundamental functionalities, aimed at validating the core value proposition and gathering user feedback to guide subsequent development iterations.

Nasdaq: IBIT is a bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) issued by BlackRock that began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange on January 11, 2024, becoming one of the first bitcoin spot ETFs approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund holds physical bitcoin assets, allowing investors to gain exposure to bitcoin prices within a traditional financial framework without directly purchasing and storing cryptocurrency.

NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is a unique digital asset based on blockchain technology, characterized by its indivisible and irreplaceable nature, with each NFT possessing a unique identification code and metadata. They are typically created following standards like Ethereum's ERC-721 or ERC-1155, capable of definitively proving ownership, authenticity, and scarcity of digital content.

NGMI (Not Gonna Make It) is a slang acronym widely used in cryptocurrency communities to label individuals perceived to be making poor investment decisions or lacking the necessary mindset to succeed in crypto markets. This term functions as an exclusionary judgment that contrasts with WAGMI (We're All Gonna Make It), reflecting the binary thinking and unique social dynamics within crypto culture.

A node is a computing device that runs blockchain software and participates in network operations by storing blockchain data, validating transactions and blocks, participating in consensus mechanisms, and maintaining the network. Nodes can be classified into various types based on their functions and permissions, including full nodes, light nodes, mining nodes (in proof-of-work networks), or validator nodes (in proof-of-stake networks).

OpenSea is the world's largest non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace, established in 2017, primarily built on the Ethereum blockchain while supporting multiple networks including Polygon and Solana. As a decentralized application (dApp), it enables users to create, buy, sell, and discover various NFT assets such as digital art, collectibles, and gaming items.

Profit and Loss (P&L) is a metric that measures a trader's or investor's financial performance over a specific period, calculating the total gains or losses from cryptocurrency transactions. It consists of two types: realized P&L (completed trades) and unrealized P&L (the difference between current value and cost of held assets), serving as a key indicator for evaluating trading strategy effectiveness and risk management capabilities.

P2P (Peer-to-Peer) refers to a cryptocurrency trading model where users directly exchange digital assets with each other without a centralized platform handling the actual transfer of funds or assets. This trading method allows buyers and sellers to directly negotiate terms while the platform only provides matching, escrow, and dispute resolution services, embodying blockchain's decentralization principle.

PancakeSwap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) and automated market maker (AMM) platform operating on Binance Smart Chain (BSC), specialized in BEP-20 token swaps, utilizing CAKE as its native token and offering liquidity mining, yield farming, and governance capabilities.

Pump and dump is a market manipulation strategy where manipulators artificially inflate an asset's price (the "pump" phase) before quickly selling their holdings at the elevated price (the "dump" phase), securing profits while leaving other investors with devalued assets. This manipulation tactic is particularly prevalent in less regulated cryptocurrency markets, especially targeting small-cap tokens with limited liquidity.

A payee is the party that receives cryptocurrencies, tokens, or other digital assets in blockchain transactions. In blockchain systems, payees receive funds through unique public key addresses (wallet addresses) and can be individual users, smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), or any entity with a valid blockchain address.

A payee is an individual, business, or entity that receives payment in a cryptocurrency transaction, typically identified through a unique cryptographic wallet address, public key, or other digital identifier. In blockchain environments, payees can maintain anonymity or pseudonymity, and transactions are generally irreversible once confirmed.

Quantitative Easing (QE) is an unconventional monetary policy tool implemented by central banks that involves large-scale purchases of financial assets (such as government bonds) to increase money supply and inject liquidity into the financial system, typically employed when traditional monetary policy tools have limited effectiveness, aimed at stimulating economic growth and preventing deflation.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a network communication protocol that enables a computer program to call functions on another computer without requiring developers to code network communication details. In blockchain, RPC interfaces serve as standardized methods for applications (such as wallets and DApps) to communicate with blockchain nodes, typically implemented over HTTP or WebSocket protocols using data exchange formats like JSON-RPC or gRPC.

Real World Assets (RWA) refers to a category of blockchain-based tokens that represent tangible and intangible assets from traditional financial systems (such as real estate, bonds, art, etc.) that have been tokenized and integrated into the cryptocurrency ecosystem. RWAs bridge the physical economy with blockchain technology by creating tradable, fractionable, and programmable digital representations of assets with inherent value.

r/wallstreetbets (abbreviated as WSB) is a financial community on Reddit dedicated to high-risk investment strategies, options trading, and stock market speculation. Known for its distinctive internet subculture, meme-based communication, and anti-establishment investing attitudes, it gained global prominence during the 2021 GameStop short squeeze when its members collectively challenged Wall Street hedge funds.

Recency bias is a cognitive bias where individuals place disproportionate importance on recent events when making decisions while discounting longer-term historical data. In trading and investment contexts, this psychological phenomenon leads investors to make potentially irrational judgments based on short-term market performance, typically manifesting as excessive optimism about recent uptrends or undue pessimism about recent downturns.

r/wallstreetbets is a prominent financial discussion forum on Reddit, established in 2012, that focuses on high-risk stock trading strategies and speculative investments. The community is known for its distinctive internet culture, meme-based investment approach, and use of unconventional trading methods, reaching peak influence during the 2021 GameStop stock event, which demonstrated how social media-coordinated retail investors could significantly impact financial markets.

Shilling refers to the act of aggressively promoting specific cryptocurrencies or tokens through social media, forums, or community channels by individuals or groups, typically characterized by strong marketing elements and lack of substantive analysis, with the purpose of attracting more investors to purchase and drive up asset prices. This promotional behavior can be categorized into official project marketing, endorsements by opinion leaders, and spontaneous promotion by token holders, and may constitute

Sniping is a trading strategy that utilizes automated trading bots or scripts to execute buy orders within milliseconds when a new token first provides liquidity or during specific market events. This strategy relies on technical advantages and rapid execution capabilities, aiming to enter the market ahead of other participants.

A shill refers to individuals or groups in the cryptocurrency industry who excessively promote specific projects or tokens for financial gain, typically operating on social media platforms using hyperbolic language and unsubstantiated promises to create artificial market enthusiasm and drive up prices. Key characteristics of shilling include emotionally charged language, lack of substantive analysis, overemphasis on price predictions, creating false urgency, and non-disclosure of financial relationships wit

Substrate is a modular blockchain development framework created by Parity Technologies that provides a customizable set of components (called "pallets") and a WebAssembly runtime environment, enabling developers to rapidly build specialized blockchains without coding from scratch. As the technical foundation of the Polkadot network, it supports various consensus mechanisms and allows forkless blockchain upgrades.

Solflare is a non-custodial wallet for the Solana blockchain that enables users to securely store, manage SOL and other SPL tokens, and supports staking, trading, and interaction with decentralized applications. As a native wallet in the Solana ecosystem, it offers cross-platform support including browser extensions, mobile applications, and web interfaces.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain price stability by pegging their value to fiat currencies (like the US dollar), commodities (such as gold), or other assets. Based on their backing mechanism, stablecoins are primarily categorized as collateralized (fiat-backed or crypto-backed) or algorithmic, each employing different mechanisms to maintain price stability.

TRON is a decentralized blockchain platform founded by Justin Sun in 2017, dedicated to building decentralized internet infrastructure using a Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism with TRX as its native cryptocurrency. The platform primarily focuses on content entertainment, aiming to reconstruct content distribution systems through blockchain technology, eliminating intermediaries and allowing creators to profit directly from their work.

Throughput is a performance metric that measures a blockchain network's processing capacity, typically expressed in Transactions Per Second (TPS), reflecting the number of transactions a blockchain system can verify and record within a unit of time, directly affecting the network's utility and scalability.

A token is a digital asset built on an existing blockchain platform, created through smart contracts to represent specific rights, functions, assets, or values. Tokens can be categorized into various types, including Utility Tokens, Security Tokens, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and others, each differing in legal nature, use cases, and value representation.

Vaporware is a term in the cryptocurrency industry describing projects that are heavily promoted but never actually materialize or deliver on their promised functionality. These projects typically feature elaborate white papers and marketing campaigns while lacking substantial technical progress or viable implementation paths, with some being outright scams designed for fundraising.

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets built on blockchain technology, each possessing distinct identification codes and metadata that make them non-interchangeable. NFTs can represent ownership of digital art, music, in-game items, or physical assets, typically following blockchain standards such as ERC-721 or ERC-1155.

A nonce (number used once) is a one-time value used in blockchain mining processes, particularly within Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanisms, where miners repeatedly try different nonce values until finding one that produces a block hash below the target difficulty threshold. At the transaction level, nonces also function as counters to prevent replay attacks, ensuring each transaction's uniqueness and security.

A White Swan event refers to a predictable occurrence that has a positive impact on cryptocurrency markets, contrasting with the unpredictable negative "Black Swan events". These include foreseeable positive developments such as technical upgrades, institutional adoption, and supportive regulatory decisions, characterized by predictability, positive influence, and market value enhancement.

Wallstreetbets is a Reddit community founded in 2012, primarily composed of retail investors who share high-risk, leveraged trading strategies and opportunities, using distinctive jargon and meme culture, famous for their "YOLO" (You Only Live Once) trades. The community is often viewed as an anti-establishment financial subculture, with members referring to themselves as "apes" and hedge fund managers as "paper hands".

LFG has two primary meanings in the cryptocurrency space: 1) as slang, it stands for "Let's F***ing Go," expressing enthusiasm and bullish sentiment toward crypto projects or markets; 2) it represents the "Luna Foundation Guard," a non-profit organization established in early 2022 to support the Terra ecosystem and maintain the UST stablecoin's dollar peg.

A White Paper is an authoritative technical document published by cryptocurrency and blockchain projects that outlines the technical architecture, functional mechanisms, economic model, and development roadmap. Serving as the project's official specification, it typically covers problem statements, solutions, tokenomics, and technical implementation details, providing foundational information for investors and the community to evaluate the project.

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is a market psychology phenomenon referring to the anxiety investors experience when worried about missing potential profit opportunities, leading to emotional and impulsive investment decisions. This psychological state is particularly prevalent in cryptocurrency markets, typically triggered during rapid price increases, and represents a significant factor contributing to market bubbles and price volatility.

YTD (Year to Date) refers to the cumulative data or performance from January 1st of the current calendar year to the present date. In cryptocurrency markets, YTD performance measures the accumulated price movement of an asset from the beginning of the year to the current point, serving as a standardized timeframe for investment analysis and performance evaluation.