Crypto Slang: The Top 100 Terms to Survive the Blockchain Jungle

Crypto slang is the chaotic, meme-fueled dialect of traders, degens, and HODLers. Born in forum threads, IRC chats, and now thriving on X and Discord, these terms capture the hype, despair, and absurdity of the crypto markets. This isn’t just a glossary—it’s a survival guide to the top 100 terms, complete with origins, context, and the unhinged energy of the blockchain. From face-melting pumps to soul-crushing rug pulls, here’s the lingo you need to avoid getting rekt. Show me a better chart right now, anon.

1. Position Yourself Accordingly

Definition: A smug nudge to prep for a market move so big it’ll rewrite your portfolio.
Example: “ETH’s about to flippening, position yourself accordingly.”
Vibe Check: Cocky insider energy, like you’re leaking alpha in a VIP chat.
Origin: Evolved from 2017-2018 ICO hype on Twitter, where influencers dropped cryptic hints to hype followers without legal liability.

2. Melt Faces

Definition: When a coin’s price goes parabolic, leaving traders stunned or broke.
Example: “That memecoin’s up 1000%, melting faces left and right.”
Vibe Check: Maniacal hype, like you’re watching a rocket launch from your wallet.
Origin: Coined in 2017 Bitcoin bull run on Reddit’s r/CryptoCurrency, describing BTC’s climb past $10K.

3. Show Me a Better Chart Right Now

Definition: A challenge to top a pristine TA chart, usually when shilling a coin.
Example: “Solana’s RSI is golden. Show me a better chart right now.”
Vibe Check: Chad-level bravado, daring the market to step up.
Origin: Popularized in 2020 on Crypto Twitter, where traders flexed charts during the DeFi summer.

4. HODL

Definition: Hold On for Dear Life. Refusing to sell despite market chaos.
Example: “Dips don’t scare me, I’m HODLing my BTC.”
Vibe Check: Stubborn zen, like a monk in a bear market.
Origin: Born in a 2013 Bitcointalk post titled “I AM HODLING,” a typo-laden rant by user GameKyuubi during a crash.

5. Rekt

Definition: Getting financially obliterated by a bad trade or market dump.
Example: “YOLO’d on 20x leverage, now I’m rekt.”
Vibe Check: Dark humor to cope with losing your rent money.
Origin: Gaming slang (“wrecked”) adopted by crypto forums in 2014, especially during Mt. Gox fallout.

6. Rug Pull

Definition: When devs vanish with project funds, tanking the token.
Example: “That DeFi farm was a rug pull, lost 5 ETH.”
Vibe Check: Betrayal and rage, like you’ve been scammed by a cartoon villain.
Origin: Emerged in 2020 DeFi boom, named after “pulling the rug out” from investors.

7. Degen

Definition: A trader who bets big on risky, often absurd tokens.
Example: “I’m a degen, aped into ShibaRocketDoge.”
Vibe Check: Proud chaos, like you’re gambling in a digital casino.
Origin: Shortened from “degenerate gambler,” popularized in 2020 on Crypto Twitter during memecoin mania.

8. Moon

Definition: When a coin’s price skyrockets to absurd heights.
Example: “Dogecoin’s mooning, time to sell!”
Vibe Check: Frothy euphoria with 🚀 emojis.
Origin: Early Bitcoin forums (2011-2012), where “to the moon” became a hopeful chant.

9. FUD

Definition: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt. Negative news to spook the market.
Example: “That hack rumor’s just FUD, HODL tight.”
Vibe Check: Smug defiance against panic.
Origin: Business term adopted by Bitcoiners in 2013 to dismiss bearish news.

10. Whale

Definition: A big player whose trades can swing markets.
Example: “Whale dumped 10K ETH, market’s bleeding.”
Vibe Check: Awe and fear, like spotting a shark in the order book.
Origin: Wall Street term, adopted by crypto in 2013 via Bitcointalk.

11. NGMI

Definition: Not Gonna Make It. A roast of someone’s bad crypto moves.
Example: “Sold your BTC at $30K? NGMI.”
Vibe Check: Savage shade, like you’re gatekeeping wealth.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2021, during the NFT and memecoin craze.

12. WAGMI

Definition: We’re All Gonna Make It. A bullish group hug.
Example: “Bull run’s back, WAGMI!”
Vibe Check: Wholesome hopium, until the crash.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2021, as a counter to NGMI during the bull market.

13. Shitcoin

Definition: A worthless token, often hyped by scams.
Example: “SafeMoonElon’s a shitcoin, don’t touch it.”
Vibe Check: Disdain, unless you’re shilling it.
Origin: Bitcointalk, 2014, to mock low-quality altcoins.

14. Bagholder

Definition: Someone stuck with a crashed coin, hoping for a rebound.
Example: “Still a bagholder on that 2021 ICO?”
Vibe Check: Pity mixed with “you should’ve known.”
Origin: Stock market term, adopted by crypto in 2015.

15. LFG

Definition: Let’s F***ing Go. Hype for trades or pumps.
Example: “ADA hit $3, LFG!”
Vibe Check: Primal excitement, like you’re at a crypto rave.
Origin: Sports slang, adopted by Crypto Twitter in 2017.

16. Ape In

Definition: Diving into a trade without research, pure FOMO.
Example: “Aped into that NFT drop, pray for me.”
Vibe Check: Reckless, like betting your house on red.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2020, tied to DeFi yield farming.

17. Diamond Hands

Definition: Holding through any market storm.
Example: “90% dip? Diamond hands don’t flinch.”
Vibe Check: Spartan-level resolve.
Origin: WallStreetBets, 2021, adopted by crypto during GameStop saga.

18. Paper Hands

Definition: Selling at the first sign of trouble.
Example: “Dumped at the dip? Paper hands.”
Vibe Check: Mockery for weak conviction.
Origin: WallStreetBets, 2021, alongside diamond hands.

19. Pump and Dump

Definition: Hyping a coin to inflate price, then selling.
Example: “That Telegram group ran a pump and dump.”
Vibe Check: Cynical anger at being played.
Origin: Stock market term, crypto use spiked in 2017 ICO boom.

20. To the Moon

Definition: Predicting a massive price surge.
Example: “This AI coin’s going to the moon!”
Vibe Check: Delusional optimism.
Origin: Bitcoin forums, 2011, tied to early price dreams.

21. FOMO

Definition: Fear Of Missing Out. Buying due to hype.
Example: “FOMO’d into that memecoin at ATH.”
Vibe Check: Panic and regret.
Origin: General slang, crypto use grew in 2017 bull run.

22. DYOR

Definition: Do Your Own Research. Advice to vet projects.
Example: “Looks promising, but DYOR.”
Vibe Check: Stern, like a teacher assigning homework.
Origin: Bitcointalk, 2016, during ICO scams.

23. Shill

Definition: Hyping a coin for personal gain.
Example: “Stop shilling that shitcoin, bro.”
Vibe Check: Annoyance at obvious agendas.
Origin: Marketing term, crypto use from 2015 altcoin pumps.

24. Weak Hands

Definition: Traders who sell during dips.
Example: “Weak hands sold at $50K, smh.”
Vibe Check: Scorn for lack of grit.
Origin: Poker term, adopted by Bitcoiners in 2014.

25. Bullish

Definition: Optimistic about price growth.
Example: “I’m bullish on layer-2s this year.”
Vibe Check: Confident, like you’ve cracked the code.
Origin: Stock market, crypto use from 2013.

26. Bearish

Definition: Pessimistic about price drops.
Example: “Bearish on alts till BTC stabilizes.”
Vibe Check: Gloomy but calculated.
Origin: Stock market, crypto use from 2013.

27. Flippening

Definition: When an altcoin overtakes Bitcoin’s market cap.
Example: “ETH’s close to the flippening.”
Vibe Check: Hopeful rebellion against BTC maxis.
Origin: Coined in 2017 by Ethereum fans on Reddit.

28. Maxi

Definition: A fanatic of one coin, usually Bitcoin.
Example: “BTC maxis hate altcoins.”
Vibe Check: Tribal loyalty, bordering on cultish.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2018, during BTC vs. BCH wars.

29. Gas

Definition: Fees for Ethereum transactions.
Example: “Gas is $200, can’t afford to swap.”
Vibe Check: Frustration at network costs.
Origin: Ethereum whitepaper, slang use from 2017.

30. Yield Farming

Definition: Staking crypto for rewards in DeFi.
Example: “Farming yields on Uniswap, 20% APY.”
Vibe Check: Farmer vibes, but with blockchain.
Origin: DeFi boom, 2020, via Compound protocol.

31. Liquidity Pool

Definition: Pooled funds for DeFi trading.
Example: “Added ETH to a liquidity pool.”
Vibe Check: Nerdy but profitable.
Origin: Uniswap, 2018, popularized in 2020.

32. Impermanent Loss

Definition: Losses from providing liquidity during price swings.
Example: “Got hit by impermanent loss, ouch.”
Vibe Check: Regret for trying to be clever.
Origin: DeFi protocols, 2020, via Uniswap docs.

33. Whale Watching

Definition: Tracking big players’ on-chain moves.
Example: “Whale watching shows a BTC dump incoming.”
Vibe Check: Detective vibes, like you’re in a heist movie.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2019, with blockchain explorers.

34. ATH

Definition: All-Time High. A coin’s peak price.
Example: “BTC hit a new ATH at $80K!”
Vibe Check: Party mode, pop the champagne.
Origin: Stock market, crypto use from 2013.

35. ATL

Definition: All-Time Low. A coin’s rock bottom.
Example: “This alt’s at ATL, might buy.”
Vibe Check: Bargain hunting or despair.
Origin: Stock market, crypto use from 2013.

36. Leverage

Definition: Borrowing to amplify trades.
Example: “10x leverage on Binance, pray for me.”
Vibe Check: High risk, high reward insanity.
Origin: Finance term, crypto use from 2017.

37. Liquidated

Definition: Losing your position due to margin calls.
Example: “Got liquidated at 20x, I’m done.”
Vibe Check: Existential dread.
Origin: Finance term, crypto use from 2017.

38. Dip

Definition: A temporary price drop.
Example: “Buy the dip, it’s a discount!”
Vibe Check: Opportunistic cheer.
Origin: Stock market, crypto use from 2014.

39. BTFD

Definition: Buy The F***ing Dip. Aggressive dip-buying.
Example: “Market’s crashing, BTFD!”
Vibe Check: Defiant greed.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2018, during bear market.

40. Hopium

Definition: Irrational hope for a price pump.
Example: “Holding this shitcoin on pure hopium.”
Vibe Check: Delusional but endearing.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2018, blending “hope” and “opium.”

41. Copium

Definition: Denial to cope with losses.
Example: “It’s not a rug pull, just copium.”
Vibe Check: Sad but stubborn.
Origin: Reddit, 2020, adopted by crypto during crashes.

42. Alpha

Definition: Insider or high-value info.
Example: “Got alpha on a new DeFi gem.”
Vibe Check: Smug, like you’re in the know.
Origin: Finance term, crypto use from 2017.

43. Beta

Definition: Following others’ trades, not leading.
Example: “Stop being beta, find your own plays.”
Vibe Check: Insulting, like calling someone a sheep.
Origin: Finance term, crypto use from 2018.

44. Airdrop

Definition: Free tokens from projects.
Example: “Got an airdrop worth $500!”
Vibe Check: Free money euphoria.
Origin: Ethereum ICOs, 2017, for marketing.

45. Fork

Definition: Splitting a blockchain into two.
Example: “BCH forked from BTC, wild times.”
Vibe Check: Drama and tribalism.
Origin: Bitcoin code, slang use from 2017 BCH fork.

46. Hard Fork

Definition: A non-backward-compatible blockchain split.
Example: “ETH’s hard fork caused a mess.”
Vibe Check: Chaos and opportunity.
Origin: Bitcoin debates, 2017, via dev discussions.

47. Soft Fork

Definition: A backward-compatible blockchain update.
Example: “BTC’s soft fork went smoothly.”
Vibe Check: Nerdy but low drama.
Origin: Bitcoin dev talks, 2015.

48. DApp

Definition: Decentralized Application on a blockchain.
Example: “This DApp’s UX is fire.”
Vibe Check: Techy enthusiasm.
Origin: Ethereum whitepaper, 2015.

49. Smart Contract

Definition: Self-executing blockchain code.
Example: “Smart contract ate my gas fees.”
Vibe Check: Futuristic but annoying.
Origin: Ethereum, 2015, via Vitalik Buterin.

50. Gas Guzzler

Definition: A contract or DApp with high fees.
Example: “This NFT mint’s a gas guzzler.”
Vibe Check: Whiny about costs.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2021, during ETH fee spikes.

51. Mint

Definition: Creating an NFT or token.
Example: “Minted a Bored Ape, LFG!”
Vibe Check: Hype for new assets.
Origin: NFT boom, 2021, from collectible minting.

52. Floor Price

Definition: Lowest NFT price in a collection.
Example: “Punk floor price is 50 ETH.”
Vibe Check: Status flex or despair.
Origin: NFT marketplaces, 2021, via OpenSea.

53. Whitelist

Definition: Early access to NFT mints or sales.
Example: “Got whitelisted for that drop!”
Vibe Check: VIP smugness.
Origin: NFT projects, 2021, for exclusivity.

54. PFP

Definition: Profile Picture. NFTs used as avatars.
Example: “Rocking a CryptoPunk as my PFP.”
Vibe Check: Flexing digital clout.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2021, during NFT craze.

55. Right-Click Save

Definition: Mocking NFTs by saving their images.
Example: “Why buy an NFT? Just right-click save.”
Vibe Check: Smug trolling.
Origin: NFT skeptics on Twitter, 2021.

56. GMI

Definition: Gonna Make It. Personal WAGMI.
Example: “Bought the dip, I’m GMI.”
Vibe Check: Solo optimism.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2021, as WAGMI’s cousin.

57. Ser

Definition: Sir, but ironic. Used to mock or hype.
Example: “You called the dip, ser!”
Vibe Check: Playful or sarcastic respect.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2020, from meme culture.

58. Anon

Definition: Anonymous trader or user.
Example: “Good call, anon, I’m aping in.”
Vibe Check: Camaraderie in the shadows.
Origin: 4chan, adopted by crypto in 2018.

59. LARP

Definition: Live Action Role Play. Pretending to be a whale or expert.
Example: “He’s LARPing as a DeFi guru.”
Vibe Check: Calling out fakes.
Origin: Gaming, crypto use from 2019 Twitter.

60. Exit Liquidity

Definition: Retail investors who buy at peaks, letting insiders sell.
Example: “We were their exit liquidity, rekt.”
Vibe Check: Bitter realization.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2021, during rug pulls.

61. Ponzi

Definition: A scam paying old investors with new money.
Example: “That yield farm’s a Ponzi, run.”
Vibe Check: Alarm and distrust.
Origin: Charles Ponzi, crypto use from 2017 ICOs.

62. Vaporware

Definition: A hyped project that never launches.
Example: “Their blockchain’s just vaporware.”
Vibe Check: Cynical disappointment.
Origin: Tech industry, crypto use from 2016.

63. Scamwick

Definition: Fake candlestick moves to trick traders.
Example: “That pump was a scamwick, got rekt.”
Vibe Check: Paranoid frustration.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2019, from trading forums.

64. Bart

Definition: A chart pattern resembling Bart Simpson’s head.
Example: “BTC’s forming a Bart, dump incoming.”
Vibe Check: Nerdy TA humor.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2018, during volatile markets.

65. Dead Cat Bounce

Definition: A brief price recovery before a further drop.
Example: “That pump’s just a dead cat bounce.”
Vibe Check: Pessimistic TA.
Origin: Stock market, crypto use from 2018.

66. Capitulation

Definition: Mass selling from panic.
Example: “Capitulation’s here, time to buy.”
Vibe Check: Opportunistic grimness.
Origin: Finance, crypto use from 2018 bear market.

67. Stablecoin

Definition: A coin pegged to an asset like USD.
Example: “Moved to USDT, market’s shaky.”
Vibe Check: Safety-first caution.
Origin: Tether, 2014, slang use from 2017.

68. Depeg

Definition: When a stablecoin loses its peg.
Example: “USDC depegged, chaos everywhere.”
Vibe Check: Panic and disbelief.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2022, during UST collapse.

69. Rug

Definition: Short for rug pull.
Example: “They rugged the whole community.”
Vibe Check: Short, sharp betrayal.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2020, DeFi shorthand.

70. Sats

Definition: Smallest Bitcoin unit (satoshis).
Example: “Stacking sats every paycheck.”
Vibe Check: Long-term grindset.
Origin: Named after Satoshi Nakamoto, 2013.

71. Stack

Definition: Accumulating crypto, usually BTC.
Example: “Stacking sats for the next halving.”
Vibe Check: Patient wealth-building.
Origin: Bitcoin forums, 2015.

72. Halving

Definition: Bitcoin’s reward reduction every 4 years.
Example: “Halving’s coming, BTC’s gonna moon.”
Vibe Check: Bullish anticipation.
Origin: Bitcoin protocol, slang from 2016.

73. DCA

Definition: Dollar Cost Averaging. Buying fixed amounts regularly.
Example: “DCA’d into ETH, no stress.”
Vibe Check: Chill, methodical.
Origin: Investing, crypto use from 2017.

74. TA

Definition: Technical Analysis. Chart-based predictions.
Example: “TA says we’re breaking out soon.”
Vibe Check: Nerdy confidence.
Origin: Finance, crypto use from 2014.

75. FA

Definition: Fundamental Analysis. Project-based research.
Example: “FA on this coin looks solid.”
Vibe Check: Due diligence swagger.
Origin: Finance, crypto use from 2016.

76. Moonboy

Definition: Overly optimistic shiller.
Example: “Moonboys hyping this shitcoin again.”
Vibe Check: Annoyed eye-roll.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2018, mocking hype.

77. Nocoiner

Definition: Someone who doesn’t own crypto.
Example: “Nocoiners laughing now, wait till we moon.”
Vibe Check: Tribal superiority.
Origin: Bitcointalk, 2014, for skeptics.

78. Shitcoiner

Definition: Fan of low-quality tokens.
Example: “Shitcoiners got rekt this dip.”
Vibe Check: Smug judgment.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2017, during altcoin hype.

79. Altseason

Definition: When altcoins outperform BTC.
Example: “Altseason’s here, my bags are pumping!”
Vibe Check: Wild euphoria.
Origin: Reddit, 2017, during ETH’s rise.

80. Mainnet

Definition: A blockchain’s live network.
Example: “Their mainnet launches next week.”
Vibe Check: Techy excitement.
Origin: Ethereum dev talks, 2016.

81. Testnet

Definition: A blockchain’s testing network.
Example: “Testnet’s buggy, delay incoming.”
Vibe Check: Mild frustration.
Origin: Ethereum dev talks, 2016.

82. Whitepaper

Definition: A project’s technical blueprint.
Example: “Read the whitepaper, it’s legit.”
Vibe Check: Serious research vibes.
Origin: Bitcoin, 2008, via Satoshi’s paper.

83. Roadmap

Definition: A project’s planned milestones.
Example: “No roadmap? Smells like a rug.”
Vibe Check: Skeptical scrutiny.
Origin: Tech startups, crypto use from 2017.

84. Tokenomics

Definition: A token’s economic design.
Example: “Bad tokenomics, too much inflation.”
Vibe Check: Analytical shade.
Origin: DeFi projects, 2020, for token analysis.

85. Vesting

Definition: Gradual release of team tokens.
Example: “Vesting ends soon, expect a dump.”
Vibe Check: Cautious speculation.
Origin: ICOs, 2017, for transparency.

86. Burn

Definition: Destroying tokens to reduce supply.
Example: “They burned 10% of the supply!”
Vibe Check: Bullish on scarcity.
Origin: Ethereum, 2017, for token economics.

87. Staking

Definition: Locking crypto for network rewards.
Example: “Staking my ADA for 5% APY.”
Vibe Check: Passive income flex.
Origin: Proof-of-Stake chains, 2019, via Cardano.

88. Sybil Attack

Definition: Faking multiple identities to game a network.
Example: “Airdrop got hit by a Sybil attack.”
Vibe Check: Techy outrage.
Origin: Computer science, crypto use from 2018.

89. 51% Attack

Definition: Controlling most of a blockchain’s hash power.
Example: “Small chain got 51% attacked.”
Vibe Check: Existential network fear.
Origin: Bitcoin whitepaper, 2008.

90. Dust

Definition: Tiny, worthless crypto amounts.
Example: “My wallet’s full of dust.”
Vibe Check: Annoyed at clutter.
Origin: Bitcoin transactions, 2014.

91. MEV

Definition: Miner Extractable Value. Profits from reordering transactions.
Example: “MEV’s screwing retail traders.”
Vibe Check: Nerdy resentment.
Origin: Ethereum research, 2019.

92. Flash Loan

Definition: Instant, uncollateralized DeFi loans.
Example: “Used a flash loan for arbitrage.”
Vibe Check: DeFi wizardry.
Origin: Aave protocol, 2020.

93. Oracle

Definition: Service feeding real-world data to blockchains.
Example: “Chainlink’s oracle saved the day.”
Vibe Check: Techy appreciation.
Origin: Ethereum DApps, 2017.

94. Slippage

Definition: Price difference during a trade.
Example: “20% slippage on that swap, oof.”
Vibe Check: Trading regret.
Origin: DeFi DEXes, 2020, via Uniswap.

95. TVL

Definition: Total Value Locked in a DeFi protocol.
Example: “Their TVL hit $1B, legit project.”
Vibe Check: Metric flexing.
Origin: DeFi Pulse, 2020, for rankings.

96. APY

Definition: Annual Percentage Yield. DeFi reward rate.
Example: “1000% APY? Too good to be true.”
Vibe Check: Skeptical greed.
Origin: Finance, crypto use from 2020 DeFi.

97. CEX

Definition: Centralized Exchange like Binance.
Example: “CEX fees are brutal, go DEX.”
Vibe Check: Mild distrust of centralized power.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2018, vs. DEXes.

98. DEX

Definition: Decentralized Exchange like Uniswap.
Example: “Swapped on a DEX, no KYC.”
Vibe Check: Freedom and anonymity.
Origin: Ethereum, 2018, via Uniswap.

99. KYC

Definition: Know Your Customer. ID verification.
Example: “CEX wants KYC, I’m out.”
Vibe Check: Privacy paranoia.
Origin: Finance regulations, crypto use from 2017.

100. Wen

Definition: When. Impatient demand for updates.
Example: “Wen mainnet? Wen moon?”
Vibe Check: Bratty urgency.
Origin: Crypto Twitter, 2021, from meme culture.

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This is the ultimate crypto slang codex, forged in the fires of X, Reddit, and Discord. Whether you’re stacking sats, aping into rugs, or HODLing with diamond hands, always DYOR and position yourself accordingly. Got a term we missed? Show me a better chart right now, ser.