Most popular technical terms in Crypto you should know about

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology have taken the world by storm in recent years. This innovative technology has brought with it a whole new language of technical terms that can be confusing to newcomers. In this article, we will explain the most popular technical terms in the world of crypto.

1. Altcoin, Bitcoin, Fiat, Stablecoin:
   An altcoin is short for “alternative coin”, a term used to refer to any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin. Altcoins are essentially alternative digital currencies that were developed after Bitcoin. They can differ from Bitcoin in terms of their purpose, technology, features, or other aspects. Examples of popular altcoins include Ethereum, Cardano, Near, Ripple, BNB, Matic and Dogecoin.
   Bitcoin is the first and most popular cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin operates on a decentralized blockchain network, allowing users to send and receive funds without the need for intermediaries such as banks.
   Fiat is a term used to refer to traditional currencies issued by governments, such as the US dollar, euro, or Japanese yen. Fiat currencies are not backed by any physical commodity, but by the trust in the government that issues them.
   A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that is designed to have a stable value relative to a specific asset or currency, such as the US dollar or gold. The purpose of stablecoins is to reduce the volatility that is common in other cryptocurrencies, making them more suitable for transactions and as a store of value. Some popular stablecoins can be named are USDT, BUSD.
2. Airdrop: Airdrop is a marketing technique used by cryptocurrency projects to distribute free tokens or coins to existing or potential users. Airdrops are often used as a way to raise awareness about a new project or to incentivize users to participate in the project’s ecosystem.
3. Bear & Bull Market: Bear and bull markets are terms used to describe the state of the financial market. A bear market refers to a market that is experiencing a prolonged period of declining prices, while a bull market refers to a market that is experiencing a prolonged period of rising prices.
4. Blockchain: A blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that is used to record and verify transactions on a decentralized network. Each block on the chain contains a record of multiple transactions, and once a block is added to the chain, it cannot be altered without consensus from the network.
5. Cryptography: Cryptography is the science of securing communication through the use of mathematical algorithms. In the context of cryptocurrency, cryptography is used to secure and verify transactions on a blockchain network.
6. dApp: A dApp, or decentralized application, is an application that operates on a decentralized network, such as a blockchain. dApps can be used for a variety of purposes, including gaming, finance, and social networking.
7. Decentralization: Decentralization refers to the distribution of power and decision-making across a network of nodes, rather than having a central authority. In the context of cryptocurrency, decentralization refers to the absence of a central authority or intermediary in the transfer of funds.
8. DeFi: DeFi, or decentralized finance, refers to a financial system built on a blockchain network, allowing for the creation of decentralized financial instruments such as lending, borrowing, and trading.
9. Dump & Pump: Dump and pump are terms used to describe the manipulation of the price of a cryptocurrency by a group of investors. Dump refers to the selling off of a large number of coins, causing the price to drop, while Pump refers to the buying of large quantities of coins, causing the price to rise.
10. Farming: Farming, also known as yield farming, is a process of earning rewards by providing liquidity to a decentralized exchange (DEX) or other DeFi protocol.
11. FOMO: FOMO, or Fear Of Missing Out, is a term used to describe the feeling of anxiety or urgency that arises when someone believes that they may miss an opportunity to profit from an investment.
12. FUD: FUD, or Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt, is a term used to describe negative information or rumors spread in the cryptocurrency community to create fear or doubt about a particular project or cryptocurrency.
13. HODL: HOLD or “Hold On for Dear Life,” is a term used in the cryptocurrency community to describe the act of holding onto cryptocurrency for a long period of time, rather than selling it off in response to market fluctuations.
14. Mining: Mining is the process of verifying transactions on a blockchain network and adding them to the blockchain. Miners use specialized hardware and software to compete for the chance to add the next block to the chain and earn a reward in the form of cryptocurrency.
15. NFT: NFT, or non-fungible token, is a type of digital asset that is unique and cannot be exchanged for something else of equal value. NFTs are often used to represent digital artwork, collectibles, or other unique digital items.
16. Node: A Node refers to a computer or device that is connected to a blockchain network and helps to maintain the integrity and security of the network by verifying transactions and blocks. Nodes can be divided into different categories such as full nodes, light nodes, and mining nodes, depending on the level of involvement and resources required to operate them.
17. Private Key & Public Key: Private key and public key are two cryptographic keys used to secure transactions on a blockchain network. A private key is used to sign transactions, while a public key is used to verify the signature and ensure that the transaction was authorized by the owner of the private key.
18. Proof of Stake: Proof of Stake is a consensus algorithm used by some blockchain networks to verify transactions and add them to the blockchain. In Proof of Stake, validators are chosen based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold and are incentivized to act honestly through the possibility of earning rewards.
19. Proof of Work: Proof of Work is also a consensus algorithm used by some blockchain networks to verify transactions and add them to the blockchain. However, in Proof of Work, miners compete to solve a cryptographic puzzle in order to add the next block to the chain and earn a reward.
20. Satoshi: Satoshi is the smallest unit of Bitcoin, named after its pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto. One Satoshi is equal to one hundred millionth of a Bitcoin (0.00000001 BTC). It is commonly used to express the price of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in smaller denominations, as the price of a full Bitcoin can be very high. For example, if the price of Bitcoin is $50,000, one Satoshi would be worth $0.0005. The term Satoshi has also been used to refer to other cryptocurrencies, as a way of denoting the smallest unit of that particular coin.
21. Shark & Whale
    In the crypto world, a “shark” and a “whale” refer to two different types of investors based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold.
    A “Shark” is an investor who holds a relatively large amount of cryptocurrency, but not enough to significantly influence the market. They may make large trades or investments, but their actions typically do not have a significant impact on the overall market.
    On the other hand, a “Whale” is an investor who holds an extremely large amount of cryptocurrency, enough to potentially influence the market with their actions. Their trades or investments can have a significant impact on the market price of a particular cryptocurrency, as they have the financial power to buy or sell large amounts of it.
22. Smart Contract: A smart contract is a self-executing contract that is programmed to automatically execute the terms of the agreement when certain conditions are met. Smart contracts are often used in blockchain-based systems to facilitate transactions and enforce rules.
23. Staking: Staking is a process of holding cryptocurrency in a wallet or other designated account in order to earn rewards and participate in the governance of a blockchain network.
24. Swap: A swap is a transaction in which two parties exchange one cryptocurrency for another at an agreed-upon exchange rate.
25. Token: A token is a digital asset that represents something of value, such as a currency, commodity, or asset. Tokens are often used in blockchain-based systems to facilitate transactions and represent ownership or other rights.
26. Tokenomics and Tokenomy:
    Tokenomics is the study of the economics of a particular cryptocurrency or token, including factors such as supply, demand, circulation, and market cap.
    Tokenomy refers to the economy that revolves around a particular token or cryptocurrency. It involves the creation, distribution, and circulation of tokens as a means of value exchange within a specific ecosystem or platform. In simpler terms, Tokenomy is a digital asset marketplace where users can discover the possibilities and access the applications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain tokens.
27. Wallet: A wallet is a software or hardware device used to store cryptocurrency. Wallets can be used to send and receive cryptocurrency, view transaction history, and manage private keys.
28. Web3: Web3 is advertised as the next evolution of the internet that is decentralized, open, and secure, built on blockchain technology. It aims to create a more democratic and decentralized internet that gives individuals greater control over their data and online interactions.
    Web3 technologies enable individuals to interact with each other, share information, and conduct transactions without relying on intermediaries or centralized authorities.

The world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology is constantly evolving, and new technical terms are introduced regularly. Understanding these terms is essential for anyone interested in investing in or working with cryptocurrencies. The terms listed above are some of the most popular and commonly used in the world of crypto, and having a good grasp of them will give you a strong foundation for further learning.