cryptocurrency
noun
cryp·to·cur·ren·cy
ˌkrip-tō-ˈkər-ən(t)-sē 
-ˈkə-rən(t)-sē
plural cryptocurrencies
: any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually has no central issuing or regulating authority but instead uses a decentralized system to record transactions and manage the issuance of new units, and that relies on cryptography to prevent counterfeiting and fraudulent transactions
Virtual currency bitcoin hit the mainstream in 2014. Bitcoin ATMs started springing up all over the world … , allowing people to exchange cash for the cryptocurrency, a secure digital payment outside of conventional financial institutions.—
Brenda Poppy
Brenda PoppyExamples of cryptocurrency in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And in 2018, a botnet that infected Android devices with cryptocurrency-mining malware appeared on some Fire Sticks, per discussion on XDA Forums.
—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2026
House Bill 945 establishes new regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks and allows financial institutions to place temporary holds on transactions when elder financial exploitation is suspected.
—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Rather than finishing the ambitious project, Rinsch gambled much of the money in the cryptocurrency market before spending millions more on luxury purchases.
—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
29 June 2026
The following day, a ransom note sent to some news organizations demanded millions in cryptocurrency in exchange for her return, but just days later, another message sent from the same IP address claimed Nancy had died.
—
Forbestv,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cryptocurrency
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Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2026
House Bill 945 establishes new regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks and allows financial institutions to place temporary holds on transactions when elder financial exploitation is suspected.
—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Rather than finishing the ambitious project, Rinsch gambled much of the money in the cryptocurrency market before spending millions more on luxury purchases.
—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
29 June 2026
The following day, a ransom note sent to some news organizations demanded millions in cryptocurrency in exchange for her return, but just days later, another message sent from the same IP address claimed Nancy had died.
—
Forbestv,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cryptocurrency
Cite this Entry
“Cryptocurrency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptocurrency. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cryptocurrency
noun
cryp·to·cur·ren·cy
ˌkrip-tō-ˈkər-ən(t)-sē
-ˈkə-rən(t)-sē
: any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually uses a decentralized system for issuing new units and reording transactions, and that relies on cryptography to prevent fraudulent transactions
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