Cryptocurrency
Digital currencies and assets secured by cryptography and operating on decentralized blockchain networks without central authority.
What is Cryptocurrency?
A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual form of currency that uses cryptography for security and operates on a decentralized ledger (blockchain) to record transactions, without reliance on central banks or intermediaries. It functions as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system, enabling secure, verifiable transfers of value. Bitcoin, launched in 2009, was the first, followed by over 25,000 others, often classified as commodities, securities, or currencies depending on jurisdiction. Cryptocurrencies like ETH, USDT and USDC are used for payments, investments, and powering decentralized applications.
Related Terms
Solana Smart Contract / Onchain Program
Executable code deployed on the Solana blockchain that processes transaction instructions to read from and modify controlled accounts, equivalent to smart contracts on other blockchains.
Utilization Rate (Lending)
The percentage of a lending pool’s deposited assets that are currently borrowed.
Web Content Monetization
Generating revenue from digital content using standardized payment protocols.
zkEVM
A zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine that enables Ethereum-compatible smart contracts to be executed with privacy and scalability using zero-knowledge proofs.
Transaction Fee (DEX)
A transaction fee on a decentralized exchange (DEX) is the cost paid by users to execute trades or provide liquidity, typically comprising trading fees paid to liquidity providers and network fees (gas) paid to blockchain validators.
Vitalik Buterin
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, is a programmer, thinker and a leading figure in blockchain and decentralization technology, driving innovations in smart contracts and scalable decentralized systems.