If you’ve been anywhere near crypto on the red-hot platform X or Reddit platforms, you’ve most likely come across some terms and memes that made you question the grammar and linguistic coherence of crypto fans. “Sure, flawless, Cambridge-level grammar helps speakers work through the ranks faster, but is it really vital in striking it big?” you may ask. But spend a little more time exploring this curious space and you’ll quickly discover that “hodling” is never written (unless mistakenly) as “hloding”, and the “flippening” is never mistaken for “flipping”. This collective stubbornness in misspelling words seems to hide something bigger…These crypto users have their own form of language – a peculiar lingo with slang terms that seem to proliferate in numbers.
If you’re just now breaking into crypto, you’ll encounter many catchphrases, slang, acronyms, and more. Web queries go beyond the basic BTC/ETH and ETH/BTC charts – they abound in stuff like “diamond hands crypto” and “WAGMI”. In this blog, we’re making sense of some of the most common pieces of crypto lingo so you can start your journey with a healthy dose of knowledge. It doesn’t even matter whether you plan to invest in crypto assets or not. Staying updated in a world that’s increasingly abounded with crypto-related everything helps you stay connected with the rapidly evolving surrounding world.
Vernacular Breakthroughs
Crypto’s innovative contribution touches more than finance: it’s also economics, computer science, politics, and numerous other sectors that are being revolutionized by it. However, if there’s a sector where breakthroughs never seem to stop, it’s the world of crypto language. The invented trademark “Bitcoin” started it all, chosen and introduced by the project’s mysterious architect, Satoshi Nakamoto, along with the use of blockchain technology. Ever since, new words have flowed into the increasingly larger baggage of words. “FUDsters” are spreading “FUD”, aka propaganda.
The antagonist is known as “TradFi”. And the place where the battle unfolds is named “web3”. Pseudoscientific lingo is used with almost the same enthusiasm as NFTs and memecoins.
The Most Common Pieces of Crypto Lingo
Some words are forgotten while others manage to stick around. It’s normal not to learn every word by rote. In light of this, let’s dissect these slang terms:
AMA
Short for “Ask Me Anything”, you’ve likely come across an online type of Q&A forum for crypto if you see the “AMA” acronym. It’s where users have the opportunity to speak directly with crypto experts, influencers, and founders, and get answers to some of their most pressing questions. This is also a way to promote new crypto projects, connect with the broader crypto audience, and foster closeness. Such a gathering can reward those who get involved in the meeting.
Probably nothing Jeet
Used in a joking manner, crypto users employ this phrase to downplay huge events, such as the launch of a new ETF or upgrade, making them seem overrated. Saying “probably nothing” feels like the next natural thing to do before scrolling past news announcing a new tech update or launch, since there are overwhelmingly many such developments released these days. It’s like saying “this thing right here is for the technologically-savvy”.
Jeet
Jeet basically stands for “Just Exit Early Trader” and refers to those who sell their assets prematurely out of panic that their investments might immediately start devaluing. If a token rises five times in value and the person sells after it has only doubled, thus missing out on an even bigger gain, they’re derogatorily called a “jeet”. In chats, dumping early can get you spammed with “jeet” regardless of whether you’ve done it out of fear or for a quick flip – kind of like being mocked for not holding longer.
IYKYK
If you’re ever encountering the “IYKYK” slang, it’s a sign you’re roaming around connoisseurs. Short for “If You Know, You Know”, it’s used to point at the high-level category of buffs in the domain, who are knee-level in everything crypto. It’s only these experts who can understand the rarest of slang and insights. This strengthens the bonds of devotion and unity among crypto enthusiasts, emphasizing their shared priorities, goals, and knowledge.
Degen
An abbreviation for “degenerate”, degen refers to a trader who starts investing in crypto – and frequently in high-risk tokens – despite lacking a thorough understanding of what they’re putting their money in. They usually ignore cautious analytics and buy on impulse, hoping they’ll hit the jackpot. While the term can sound negative, many in the crypto space use it with pride, seeing it as a badge of boldness and risk-taking.
Aped in
Contrary to what experts spreading awareness about crypto advise novices to do, investing without conducting prior research and getting a healthy idea of the risks involved in crypto remains a common sight. Enamored with the idea of generating fortunes, those “apeing” often buy into hype and the fear of missing out when crypto prices increase, often coming to the realization that they bought a flop.
Left curve
Those who seem to have no idea about the crypto industry are incredibly respected in the crypto world, and known as “left curves”. The name stems from a red-hot meme where a bell curve with crypto investors has connoisseurs in the curve’s fat middle, and investors who barely know something – if anything at all – on the left.
Mixers
In crypto, mixers (also called tumblers) are platforms that hide the on-chain connection between multiple transactions by gathering and distributing coins deposited by more owners to conceal their ownership and transaction histories. Such a tool boosts privacy in transactions, but it’s also a focus of regulatory scrutiny due to its potential misuse.
Diamond Hands
The term “diamond hands” points to those with an unwavering investment stance, who stick to their assets no matter how bearish the outlook is – it’s about those who haven’t ditched their assets when the Trump administration announced new taxes on China, leaving token prices flat. As expected, the phrase is often represented through the diamond or hand emoji.
These are some of the most popular crypto-related slang terms at the moment. Is there any other terminology you’d like to know more about?