Altcoin
Any cryptocurrency that isn’t Bitcoin.
Ape in/Aping
Jumping into a crypto investment with little to no research.
Bagholder
Someone holding a large amount of a coin, especially if its value has plummeted.
Crypto Winter
A prolonged period of stagnant or declining market prices in the cryptocurrency world.
DeFi
Decentralized Finance – financial services with no central authority.
Diamond Hands
Holding an investment despite potential losses or volatility, believing in its eventual profit.
DYOR
Do Your Own Research – a disclaimer advising investors to research before investing.
Fiat
Government-issued currency, not backed by a physical commodity.
FOMO
Fear Of Missing Out – the anxiety that an exciting or interesting event is currently happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media.
FUD
Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt – spreading negativity or doubt without basis to manipulate the market.
Gas Fees
Transaction fees on a blockchain, particularly Ethereum.
HODL
Originally a misspelling of “hold,” now a term for holding a cryptocurrency long-term rather than selling it. The origins stem from OG Bitcoin forum: BitcoinTalk.
ICO
Initial Coin Offering – a fundraising mechanism for new projects, similar to an initial public offering in the stock market.
Jeet
Person who quickly sells when market gets rough. Origin from Indian name “Pajeet”.
Lambo
Short for Lamborghini, symbolizing the ultimate crypto success fantasy.
Liquidity
The ease with which a cryptocurrency can be bought and sold without affecting its price.
Maxi
Shortened form of a maximalist, especially referring to proponents of a specific cryptocurrency.
Maximalist
A person who believes ‘XYZ’ crypto is the only cryptocurrency worth investing in.
Moon/Mooning
A dramatic rise in a cryptocurrency’s price.
NFT
Non-Fungible Token – a unique digital item such as art, collectibles, or in-game items.
NGMI
Not Gonna Make It – pessimism about the future success of a project or individual in the crypto space.
Paper Hands
Selling off cryptocurrencies at the first sign of a price drop, opposite of diamond hands.
Rug Pull
A scam where developers abandon a project and run away with investors’ funds.
Satoshi Nakamoto
The pseudonymous creator(s) of Bitcoin.
Shill
Promoting a crypto project for personal gain.
Stablecoin
A cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset, like the US dollar, to minimize price volatility.
Tokenomics
The economics of a cryptocurrency, including supply, distribution, and how it can be used.
WAGMI
We’re All Gonna Make It; communal optimism in the crypto community.
Whale
An investor with a large amount of cryptocurrency, capable of moving the market.
Yield Farming
Earning interest or rewards by locking up cryptocurrencies, often in DeFi applications.