Crypto Slang

The world of cryptocurrency has its own fast-evolving language. Whether you're browsing forums, watching influencers, or reading Twitter threads, you're bound to encounter crypto slang that might sound confusing at first. This guide breaks down the most common terms in the crypto space so you can understand the culture, the conversations, and the markets more confidently.

HODL

Meaning: A misspelling of “hold” that turned into a meme.
Use: “I’m going to HODL my Bitcoin no matter what.”
Why it matters: It's a rallying cry for long-term holders who resist the urge to sell during price dips.

FOMO

Acronym for: Fear of Missing Out
Use: “Everyone’s buying that altcoin. I’ve got FOMO!”
Why it matters: Describes the emotional reaction of jumping into a crypto project too late—often at the top.

FUD

Acronym for: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt
Use: “Don’t spread FUD about Ethereum's upgrade.”
Why it matters: Often used to describe negative news or rumors intended to cause panic selling.

GM / GN

Meaning: Good Morning / Good Night
Use: “GM fam” or “GN crypto world”
Why it matters: A cultural greeting among crypto community members on social media.

NGMI / WAGMI

NGMI: Not Gonna Make It — used to criticize poor decisions.
WAGMI: We’re All Gonna Make It — shows positivity and belief in crypto success.
Use: “Selling your ETH now? NGMI.” / “Just staked my tokens. WAGMI!”
Why it matters: Reflects community mindset, optimism, or critique.

DYOR

Acronym for: Do Your Own Research
Use: “This project looks legit, but DYOR.”
Why it matters: Encourages people to make informed decisions instead of blindly following hype.

REKT

Meaning: Slang for "wrecked" – significant loss or failure.
Use: “Bought the top and got REKT.”
Why it matters: Highlights the risk of trading without strategy.

Moon / To the Moon

Meaning: A dramatic rise in price.
Use: “This coin is going to the moon!”
Why it matters: Symbolizes bullish excitement and price optimism.

Bag / Bagholder

Bag: A quantity of a crypto asset.
Bagholder: Someone holding a coin that has significantly dropped in value.
Use: “I’m still bagholding that token from 2021.”
Why it matters: Often refers to someone unwilling to sell at a loss.

Whale / Shrimp

Whale: A holder of large amounts of cryptocurrency.
Shrimp: A holder of a very small amount.
Use: “Whales are moving Bitcoin to exchanges.”
Why it matters: Whale behavior can influence market trends.

Pump and Dump

Meaning: Artificially inflating a coin’s price, then selling it off for profit.
Use: “That low-cap coin looks like a pump and dump.”
Why it matters: A common scam to be cautious of.

Rug Pull

Meaning: A scam where developers abandon a project and run off with investor funds.
Use: “That DeFi token just rug-pulled everyone.”
Why it matters: Highlights the importance of researching teams and projects.

Gas Fees

Meaning: Fees paid to process transactions on a blockchain (mostly Ethereum).
Use: “Gas fees are too high to mint that NFT.”
Why it matters: Affects how and when you interact with smart contracts.

Airdrop

Meaning: Free distribution of tokens to users, often for marketing or reward purposes.
Use: “Check your wallet, that project did an airdrop!”
Why it matters: Can be a way to earn tokens by participating in communities or holding assets.

LFG

Acronym for: Let’s Freaking Go (or a more colorful version)
Use: “BTC hit $100k! LFG!!”
Why it matters: Expresses excitement and support for bullish movements.

Why Learning Crypto Slang Matters

Crypto slang is more than just internet lingo—it reflects market sentiment, community values, and behavioral patterns in the space. Understanding these terms will help you:

• Navigate Twitter/X, Reddit, Discord, and Telegram groups confidently
• Spot emotional vs rational decisions
• Identify hype cycles and avoid risky behavior
• Engage meaningfully with the crypto community