Home Compare Wallets Security Guide FAQ Glossary

Educational Content: This glossary is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research and consult official sources.

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A

Airdrop

Assets

Free distribution of cryptocurrency tokens, sometimes legitimate promotions, sometimes scams.

B

Blockchain

Fundamentals

A decentralized, distributed digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers in a way that prevents retroactive alteration.

C

Cold Wallet

Wallets

A cryptocurrency wallet stored offline, providing maximum security for long-term storage.

Custodial Wallet

Wallets

A wallet where a third party holds your private keys. Exchanges often use custodial wallets.

D

dApp

Fundamentals

Decentralized Application - an application running on a blockchain network rather than centralized servers.

DeFi

Fundamentals

Decentralized Finance - financial services built on blockchain technology without traditional intermediaries like banks.

E

EVM

Fundamentals

Ethereum Virtual Machine - the runtime environment for smart contracts on Ethereum and compatible blockchains.

G

Gas Fees

Transactions

Transaction fees paid to network validators for processing transactions on blockchains like Ethereum.

H

Hot Wallet

Wallets

A cryptocurrency wallet connected to the internet. Convenient but more vulnerable to attacks.

L

Layer 2

Fundamentals

Secondary protocols built on top of blockchains to improve scalability and reduce transaction costs.

N

NFT

Assets

Non-Fungible Token - unique digital assets verified on the blockchain, often representing art, collectibles, or other digital items.

Non-Custodial Wallet

Wallets

A wallet where you control your own private keys, giving you full ownership of your assets.

P

Phishing

Security

A scam where attackers create fake websites or messages to steal your credentials or seed phrase.

Private Key

Security

A secret cryptographic code that allows you to access and control your cryptocurrency. Never share your private key with anyone.

Public Key

Security

A cryptographic code that serves as your wallet address, which others can use to send you cryptocurrency.

S

Seed Phrase

Security

A 12-24 word recovery phrase that can restore your entire wallet. Also known as recovery phrase or mnemonic phrase.

Smart Contract

Fundamentals

Self-executing code stored on a blockchain that automatically enforces agreements when conditions are met.

Staking

Earning

Locking up cryptocurrency to support blockchain operations and earn rewards in return.

T

Token

Assets

A digital asset created on an existing blockchain, like ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum.

W

Web3

Fundamentals

The vision of a decentralized internet built on blockchain technology, where users own their data and digital assets.

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