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
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Colorado is also targeting cryptocurrency ATMs, which have become a major vector for scams.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
The scammer convinced the woman to withdraw $9,500 and deposit the funds into a Bitcoin cryptocurrency machine in Carleton, which is also in Monroe County.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
The industry-specific ATMs allow users to deposit cash into cryptocurrency accounts and convert their money to Bitcoin, a kind of virtual non-government currency, using a serial number.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Dec. 2025
In the last quarter, the token surrendered its gains, placing the flagship cryptocurrency on track to finish 2025 in the red.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
The scammer convinced the woman to withdraw $9,500 and deposit the funds into a Bitcoin cryptocurrency machine in Carleton, which is also in Monroe County.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
The industry-specific ATMs allow users to deposit cash into cryptocurrency accounts and convert their money to Bitcoin, a kind of virtual non-government currency, using a serial number.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Dec. 2025
In the last quarter, the token surrendered its gains, placing the flagship cryptocurrency on track to finish 2025 in the red.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptocurrency
Cite this Entry
“Cryptocurrency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptocurrency. Accessed 3 Jan. 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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