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BEGINNER LEARNING PATH

Crypto Glossary

Learn 100 essential crypto terms in plain English, including markets, analysis, blockchain technology, safety, rules, and records.

The CryptoGranma 100™

All 100 glossary terms are displayed alphabetically A–Z below, split evenly across two pages. Print or download the approved two-page PDF using the buttons below.

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CGCryptoGranma™

The CryptoGranma 100™

Beginner Crypto Glossary • Page 1 of 2

1. Address poisoningA scam that places a look-alike wallet address in transaction history hoping it will be copied later.
2. AdoptionGrowth in the number of people, businesses, institutions, or systems using a technology or asset.
3. AltcoinA common term for cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin.
4. AML (Anti-Money Laundering)Rules and controls intended to detect and deter laundering of criminal proceeds.
5. AskThe lowest price a seller is currently requesting.
6. Bear marketA period commonly associated with broadly falling prices and weaker risk appetite.
7. BidThe highest price a buyer is currently offering.
8. Bitcoin (BTC)The first widely adopted cryptocurrency, designed for peer-to-peer digital value transfer.
9. BlockA batch of validated transactions or data added to a blockchain.
10. BlockchainA shared digital ledger that records transactions in linked blocks or another ordered structure.
11. BridgeA system designed to move or represent assets between blockchains; bridges can introduce additional risk.
12. Bull marketA period commonly associated with broadly rising prices and stronger risk appetite.
13. Capital gain / lossThe difference between proceeds and tax basis when an asset is disposed of, subject to local tax law.
14. Circulating supplyThe amount of a crypto asset currently available to the public market.
15. CoinA crypto asset native to its own blockchain, such as bitcoin on the Bitcoin network.
16. Cold walletA wallet setup that keeps signing keys offline when not in use.
17. ConfirmationEvidence that a transaction has been included in the blockchain and has gained additional blocks after it.
18. ConsensusThe rules and process a distributed network uses to agree on valid transactions and state.
19. CorrectionA meaningful price decline from a recent high; there is no single universal crypto definition.
20. CorrelationA statistical measure of how closely two assets or variables have moved together historically.
21. Cost basisThe amount used to calculate gain or loss for tax purposes, subject to applicable tax rules.
22. CryptocurrencyA digital asset that uses cryptography and a blockchain or similar network for recordkeeping.
23. Custodial walletA wallet or account where a service provider controls the underlying keys.
24. CustodyWho controls the keys and has responsibility for accessing crypto assets.
25. Cycle analysisStudying where current conditions may sit within a broader historical market cycle.
26. DecentralizationDistribution of control or validation across many participants rather than one central authority.
27. Digital assetA digitally represented item of value or ownership, including cryptocurrencies and tokens.
28. ETF flowsMoney moving into or out of exchange-traded funds; flows can be one input when studying market demand.
29. ExchangeA platform that facilitates trading or conversion of crypto assets.
30. Fiat currencyGovernment-issued money such as U.S. dollars or euros.
31. ForkA change or split in blockchain rules or software that can alter how the network operates.
32. Funding rateA periodic payment between certain perpetual-futures traders that helps keep contract prices near spot prices.
33. GasA term used on some networks for the computational cost of processing transactions or smart-contract actions.
34. Hardware walletA physical device designed to keep private keys isolated from ordinary internet-connected devices.
35. HashA fixed-length cryptographic output created from data and used in blockchain verification.
36. Hedging / coverUsing another position or strategy to offset some risk; protection can be incomplete and can add cost.
37. HODLCrypto slang for holding an asset over time; it is not a recommendation.
38. Hot walletA wallet connected to the internet, convenient for use but exposed to online risks.
39. Institutional activityObservable participation by professional investors, funds, companies, or regulated investment products.
40. KYC (Know Your Customer)Identity-verification procedures used by many regulated financial and crypto services.
41. Layer 1A base blockchain network, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
42. Layer 2A system built on top of a base blockchain to improve speed, cost, or capacity.
43. LeverageUsing borrowed exposure to increase the size of a position, which can magnify both gains and losses.
44. Limit orderAn instruction to trade only at a specified price or better.
45. LiquidityHow easily an asset can be traded without causing a large price change.
46. Liquidity conditionsThe availability of money and market depth that can influence how easily prices move.
47. Market capitalizationPrice multiplied by circulating supply; a rough measure of a crypto asset’s market size.
48. Market cycleA recurring pattern of expansion, enthusiasm, contraction, and recovery observed in markets.
49. Market orderAn instruction to execute at the best available current prices.
50. Maximum supplyThe largest amount of an asset that its rules allow to exist, if a limit is defined.
CryptoGranma™ • cryptogranma.org • Crypto Made Simple.
CGCryptoGranma™

The CryptoGranma 100™

Beginner Crypto Glossary • Page 2 of 2

51. MinerA participant that uses computing power to help secure certain proof-of-work networks.
52. MomentumThe speed and persistence of a price move.
53. Moving averageAn average price calculated over a rolling time window to smooth short-term fluctuations.
54. Network feeA fee paid to process or prioritize a transaction on a blockchain.
55. NodeA computer that connects to a blockchain network and may store, relay, or verify data.
56. Off-rampA service that helps convert crypto back into traditional money.
57. On-chain analysisStudying blockchain activity to understand how coins are moving or being held.
58. On-chain dataInformation recorded on a blockchain, such as transfers, balances, and network activity.
59. On-rampA service that helps convert traditional money into crypto.
60. Open interestThe total number or value of derivatives contracts that remain open.
61. OracleA service that supplies outside data to a smart contract.
62. Paper tradingPracticing a trading or market-study process with virtual funds instead of real money.
63. Peer-to-peer (P2P)Direct exchange between participants without requiring a traditional intermediary.
64. PhishingA scam that impersonates a trusted source to steal credentials, keys, codes, or money.
65. Private keyA secret cryptographic key that can authorize transactions; whoever controls it may control the assets.
66. Proof of Stake (PoS)A consensus approach in which validators commit value to help secure a network.
67. Proof of Work (PoW)A consensus approach that uses computational work to secure a network.
68. Public keyCryptographic information used to help create addresses and verify signatures without revealing the private key.
69. PullbackA decline that occurs within a larger upward move or trend.
70. RallyA notable upward price move over a period of time.
71. RebalancingAdjusting portfolio weights back toward a chosen allocation; the method can change risk exposure.
72. Relative Strength Index (RSI)A momentum indicator that compares recent gains and losses; it does not predict outcomes by itself.
73. ResistanceA price area where sellers have previously become more active; it is not guaranteed to hold.
74. Sanctions screeningChecks used by regulated businesses to avoid prohibited transactions or restricted parties.
75. Scam red flagA warning sign such as urgency, secrecy, guaranteed returns, unexpected support messages, or requests for recovery words.
76. ScarcityLimited availability relative to demand; Bitcoin’s supply rules are one example.
77. Security keyA physical authentication device used to verify account access and reduce phishing risk.
78. Seed phraseA set of recovery words that can restore a wallet; it must be kept private and offline.
79. Self-custodyHolding your own wallet keys instead of relying on a third-party custodian.
80. SentimentThe overall mood or attitude of market participants, often estimated from surveys, positioning, or behavior.
81. SIM swapAn attack in which a criminal takes control of a phone number to intercept calls or text messages.
82. SlippageThe difference between an expected trade price and the price actually received.
83. Smart contractCode stored on a blockchain that can execute predefined rules.
84. Spot marketA market where an asset is exchanged for near-immediate delivery.
85. SpreadThe difference between the best bid and best ask prices.
86. StablecoinA token designed to track a reference asset, often the U.S. dollar, though stability is not guaranteed.
87. SupportA price area where buyers have previously become more active; it is not guaranteed to hold.
88. Taxable eventA transaction that may create a tax consequence under applicable law; rules vary by jurisdiction.
89. TokenA digital asset created on top of an existing blockchain.
90. Trading volumeThe amount of an asset traded during a stated period.
91. Transaction recordA saved record of dates, amounts, addresses, fees, and values that can support accounting and tax reporting.
92. TrendThe general direction of price movement over a chosen time frame.
93. Two-factor authentication (2FA)A second verification step beyond a password; authenticator apps or security keys are generally stronger than SMS.
94. UtilityA practical function or use an asset or network is intended to provide.
95. ValidatorA participant that helps verify transactions and create blocks on many proof-of-stake networks.
96. VolatilityHow quickly and widely an asset’s price changes over time.
97. Volatility analysisStudying the size and frequency of price changes to understand changing market risk.
98. WalletSoftware or hardware that manages the keys used to access and authorize crypto transactions.
99. Wallet addressA public destination used to receive crypto on a specific network.
100. Wallet drainerMalicious software or a contract designed to obtain permissions that can move assets from a wallet.
CryptoGranma™ • cryptogranma.org • Crypto Made Simple.

How to use The CryptoGranma 100™

Crypto vocabulary becomes easier when you learn related ideas together. This current 100-term edition is arranged alphabetically so terms are easier to find and compare.

01

Start with one section

Choose five to ten terms, read them in order, and return later instead of trying to memorize all 100 at once.

02

Connect related terms

Link ideas such as wallet, private key, custody, and self-custody so each definition supports the next.

03

Use the words in context

When a term appears in a lesson or market update, come back to the guide and check what it means before moving on.

A reference—not a recommendation.

The glossary explains commonly used crypto language in plain English. It does not tell you what to buy or sell, predict prices, or replace financial, tax, legal, or cybersecurity advice.