Venturing into the world of cryptocurrencies can feel like stepping into a linguistic labyrinth. With slang terms like HODL, vaporware, and DYOR being tossed around like crypto confetti, it’s easy to feel like a complete outsider.

What is alpha in crypto slang? Why are people calling me a normie? Why do I keep seeing people shout WAGMI or LFG like it’s a war cry?

This guide breaks it all down. It decodes the acronyms, memes, slang, and buzzwords that populate the fast-moving, meme-rich, often chaotic world of crypto.

Now, let’s get fluent.


🧠 Core Crypto Slang & Acronyms

AMA: Ask Me Anything

Think Reddit-style Q&A sessions hosted by projects, influencers, or founders. They’re a chance for direct engagement and community-building. Got questions? Fire away.

BTD / BTFD: Buy The (F***ing) Dip

This one’s a rallying cry. When prices crash, brave (or reckless) investors swoop in. BTFD has become both a meme and a mindset.

DYOR: Do Your Own Research

A mantra. A warning. A survival tool. During the ICO madness of 2016–2018, many newcomers got burned by scams. DYOR reminds investors that no one is responsible for your money except you.

FML: F*** My Life

Markets dipped 40% overnight? Gas fees wiped your profit? A perfect time to drop an FML.

FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out

Greed meets impatience. Don’t let FOMO push you into bad trades. Use logic over hype.

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt

Whether malicious or misguided, FUD spreads negativity. Spot it, resist it, and stay focused.

GM: Good Morning

Crypto Twitter’s way of saying, “We’re still early.” A nod of optimism, solidarity, and Web3 vibes.

crypto slang popularity is on the rise

GMI / WGMI / WAGMI: Gonna Make It, We’re Gonna Make It, We’re All Gonna Make It

During market crashes, this crypto chant rallies spirits. It’s about community. Belief. Copium.

GOAT: Greatest Of All Time

Reserved for game-changing protocols, devs, or influencers. Think: Satoshi. Vitalik. CZ.

HODL: Hold On for Dear Life

Born from a drunken Bitcoin forum typo in 2013 (“I AM HODLING!”), it now means holding your assets regardless of volatility. A badge of honour for true believers.

IYKYK: If You Know, You Know

Used when referencing insider alpha or niche events. Often seen on NFT Twitter or DAO governance threads.

LFG: Let’s F***ing Go

Crypto pumps? Bullish news? Meme coin mooning? Spam LFG in all caps.

NGMI: Not Gonna Make It

The opposite of WAGMI. Used to call out bad investments, poor decisions, or failed projects.

PFP: Profile Picture

In NFT land, PFP = your avatar identity. Think Bored Apes or CryptoPunks.

SAFU: Secure Asset Fund for Users

Binance’s response to its 2018 hack. Now slang for exchanges that protect user funds.

WAGBO: We Are Gonna Be Okay

A calming signal when prices crash. Less aggressive than WAGMI, but just as optimistic.


🧩 Crypto Phrases & Insider Terms

Alpha

Hot tips. Market insights. Insider info. True alpha gives you a competitive edge. But beware: it’s often diluted by wannabe influencers shouting “Alpha!” at basic advice.

Ape / Apeing

FOMO-fuelled investing without research. Don’t ape in—DYOR.

Bagholder

You bought the top. You didn’t sell. Now you hold worthless tokens. Welcome to the club.

Bitcoin Maximalist

They believe Bitcoin is the only crypto worth owning. Everything else? Trash.

Cryptojacking

Secretly using someone else’s computer power to mine coins. A stealthy form of theft.

Cryptosis

The obsession with all things crypto. Reading charts, watching videos, checking prices… every 15 minutes.

Degen

Short for “degenerate.” Risk takers who ape into low-cap coins hoping to 100x. They thrive on volatility.

Diamond Hands

Unshaken. Steadfast. Willing to HODL through hell and back. Often used with 💎🙌.

Flippening / Flappening

Flippening = Ethereum surpassing Bitcoin in market cap (hasn’t happened). Flappening = Litecoin surpassing Bitcoin Cash (did happen).

A Guide to Crypto Slang Terms: Talk Like a Pro in Web3

Floor is Lava

In NFT markets, when the floor price (lowest price) surges fast—it’s said to be lava.

Going to the Moon / Mooning

When a coin’s price skyrockets. “Wen moon?” = “When will we get rich?”

No-Coiner

Someone who owns no crypto and often bashes it. The crypto world’s version of a sceptic.

Normie

Your uncle who says, “Bitcoin is just a fad.” Anyone outside the crypto bubble.

Not Your Keys, Not Your Coins

Don’t leave your crypto on exchanges. Use a private wallet. Otherwise, you don’t really own it.

Paper Hands

The opposite of diamond hands. Nervous investors who sell at the first red candle.

Pump and Dump

Market manipulation 101. Inflated hype → price pumps → early holders dump → chaos.

Rekt

Financial ruin. “Bro I got rekt buying that meme coin at the top.”

Rug Pull

When devs vanish with investors’ funds. A Web3 exit scam. Protect yourself by verifying teams and contracts.

Wen Lambo?

Scamcoin

Useless crypto launched with hype, no utility. Only goal: enrich the founders.

Shill / Shilling

Pushing a coin or project (usually for personal gain). Trust no one. DYOR.

Sweeping the Floor

Buying up the cheapest NFTs in a collection, often to boost perceived value.

Vaporware

A project with no real product or roadmap. All hype. No delivery.

Whale

An individual or entity that holds enough crypto to move markets. Their buy/sell decisions ripple across the space.

When Lambo?

A meme meaning “When will I get rich enough to buy a Lamborghini?” It represents moon-mad dreams.

A Guide to Crypto Slang Terms: Talk Like a Pro in Web3


🧾 Essential Non-Slang Crypto Terms You Must Know

Altcoin

Any cryptocurrency that isn’t Bitcoin.

ATH: All-Time High

The highest price a token has ever reached.

ATL: All-Time Low

The lowest price ever. Often used to find “bottoms” or entry points.

Bearish

Expecting prices to fall.

Bullish

Expecting prices to rise.

CEX: Centralized Exchange

Platforms like Binance, Bybit, Kraken. Easy to use. Custodial wallets. More beginner-friendly.

DAO: Decentralised Autonomous Organisation

A community-run organisation with no central leadership. Governance via token voting.

dApp

Decentralised Application. Runs on blockchain. Examples: Uniswap, OpenSea.

DeFi

Decentralised Finance. Lending, borrowing, and trading without intermediaries. Power to the people.

DEX: Decentralised Exchange

Trade directly from your wallet. Peer-to-peer. No account needed. Example: Uniswap.

KYC: Know Your Customer

The verification process required by most CEXs. Usually involves submitting ID.

Mint

The process of creating a new token or NFT.

NFA: Not Financial Advice

A disclaimer used to avoid legal liability. Still—take it seriously.

P2E: Play-to-Earn

Games where you earn crypto rewards. Combines fun with income potential.

DEFI


📊 Bonus Terms for the Observant Investor

Gas Fees

The cost of executing a transaction on a blockchain, especially Ethereum. Can spike during high activity.

Layer 1

A base blockchain like Ethereum or Solana.

Layer 2

Built on top of Layer 1 to improve scalability (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism).

Tokenomics

The economic design of a cryptocurrency, including supply, distribution, and incentives.

Hash Rate

The total computational power used in mining a cryptocurrency.

Smart Contract

Code that runs on blockchains to automate actions (like a vending machine that pays out only when conditions are met).

Staking

Locking up your crypto to support a network and earn rewards.

Halving

Occurs in Bitcoin every 210,000 blocks (~4 years). Cuts miner rewards in half, reducing supply.


🧭 Final Words: Talk the Talk, Walk the Wallet

Crypto is more than tech and tokens—it’s culture. From WAGMI memes to HODL chants, this world communicates through layered language. Learning the slang helps you connect, stay safe, and avoid rookie mistakes.

So whether you’re deep in DeFi, minting NFTs, or just here for the vibes—now you speak the lingo.

And remember: always DYOR. Because in crypto, knowledge is alpha.

Share.

Our Editorial Team has a diverse background in everything from Music to Cryptocurrency, to Sneakers, Tech and Couture Fashion. We aim to bring you the biggest and the best in lifestyle news.

Exit mobile version