Glossary

Rules and processes designed to stop criminals from hiding or moving money gained from illegal activity. AML laws require crypto exchanges and other platforms to check who their users are and report suspicious transactions.

Record-keeping technology where transactions and data are grouped into blocks and permanently linked in a chain with unique identifiers – like fingerprints.

An app or website for buying and selling crypto, where a company manages your account, handles the transactions and often stores your crypto.

Digital money built on their own blockchains – coins like bitcoin, XRP or ether.

An offline wallet that stores the keys to your crypto on a physical device, like a thumb drive. It’s safer from online threats but still needs to be kept secure.

A platform that lets you trade directly with others without going through a company or central authority. You create and connect your own wallet and choose where to trade – think of it like a peer-to-peer marketplace.

Short for Decentralized Finance. Financial tools built on blockchains that let people borrow, lend, or trade without going through a central point like a bank or broker.

The technology that works with blockchains to securely store data across many devices (nodes), rather than keeping it in one place. The ledgers on different nodes communicate to keep every copy accurate and in sync.

Stands for Do Your Own Research – sensible advice to investigate before investing or making big decisions. Always understand what you’re buying, especially with crypto.

A place to buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrency. Exchanges can be Centralized (CEX) or Decentralized (DEX).

A charge paid to process a crypto transaction. Fees vary depending on demand and the type of blockchain.

Digital items where each unit holds the same value as any other. A US dollar is fungible because any two dollar bills are interchangeable – it doesn’t matter which one you use. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, ether, XRP, and stablecoins are all fungible tokens.

A specific type of fee on some blockchains, like Ethereum, that pays for the computing power needed to process a transaction. It’s called “gas” because it fuels the network.

An online wallet for everyday use. It stores the keys to your crypto on a device like a phone or computer that’s connected to the internet – convenient for buying and selling.

A trade that only happens if the market reaches the price you set.

A one-time “tap and buy” that goes through straight away at the current market price.

A cryptocurrency created for humor or from internet culture. Their prices can rise and fall with hype, and they don’t normally have real-world uses.

The system that connects nodes and the relevant blockchain so transactions can move between them. Different cryptocurrencies use different networks, and not all are compatible – so it’s important to check you’re using the right network when sending or receiving crypto.

One of the computers that make up a blockchain framework. Nodes check and verify transactions automatically – like computer programs running behind the scenes. No one node or single authority controls the process.

One-of-a-kind digital items used to show ownership of something unique – like digital art, a contract, or a concert ticket for a specific seat on a specific date. Each NFT is unique and can’t be copied or altered.

A unique code that protects access to your crypto. It’s generated using random numbers and is impossible to guess - like a super strong password. Keep it safe and never share it.

A long code that helps confirm that transactions are really yours. It’s part of a matched pair with the private key, but it can’t reveal the private key. It’s also the basis for the wallet address.

Digital tokens that represent physical or traditional assets. RWAs can include parcels of land, bonds, gold, and even wheels of Parmesan cheese.

A unique set of 12–24 words used to restore access to your wallet if you lose your phone or computer. Keep it written down, offline, and stored safely. It’s sometimes called a seed phrase.

A regular purchase made automatically – for example, every week or month.

Tokens designed to keep a steady value by being linked to something stable, like the US dollar, where one coin aims to stay close to one dollar in value.

A way to earn returns on your crypto by putting some of your crypto to work keeping the network secure and running smoothly.

Trading one coin or token for another. For example, using a U.S. dollar stablecoin to purchase ether.

The process of turning something of value – like money, music or property – into a digital token recorded on a blockchain. Each token represents ownership, access or a share of that item, making it easier to trade or transfer digitally.

Digital units of value recorded on a blockchain. They can represent many things – from cryptocurrencies and stablecoins to assets like gold, art, or property.

A common security feature with online accounts where two methods of identification are required to log in. Usually, a password and a code that is sent to your mobile phone.

How much crypto prices move up and down as people buy and sell. Low volatility means prices are more stable. High volatility means prices change quickly, which can increase the risk of losses.

A storage tool that holds the private key used to access your crypto. If it’s connected to the internet, it’s called a hot wallet. If it’s kept offline, it’s a cold wallet.

A code used to send and receive cryptocurrency and digital assets – much like a bank account number or email address. You can share it safely with people sending you crypto.

A way to earn rewards or interest on your crypto. You can add your tokens or coins to a trading pool to earn fees as others swap between them, or lend your crypto to earn interest – the yield.