Crypto
A digital asset class that was the subject of a Trump executive order aimed at making the US a world leader. David Sacks was appointed to chair a working group focused on this goal, with a particular emphasis on stablecoins.
entitydetail.created_at
7/22/2025, 10:02:55 PM
entitydetail.last_updated
7/26/2025, 5:49:20 AM
entitydetail.research_retrieved
7/22/2025, 10:07:35 PM
Summary
The term "Crypto" primarily refers to cryptography, the science of secure communication, and cryptocurrency, a digital currency that leverages cryptographic principles for secure transactions. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, operating without central authority, and are built upon blockchain technology. They serve as a medium for online payments, a store of value, or a speculative investment. As discussed on the *All-In Podcast*, crypto also signifies a broader cultural phenomenon, reflecting the public's desire for greater market access and underscoring the fine line between investing and gambling.
Referenced in 3 Documents
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Purpose
Used to buy goods and services, traded for profit, alternative payment method, speculative investment, store of value
Storage
Digital wallet (crypto wallet)
Regulation
Decentralized, no central issuing or regulating authority (e.g., government, bank)
Cultural Role
Flawed but telling symptom of the public's desire for market access
Commonly Refers To
Cryptography, Cryptocurrency
Security Mechanism
Cryptographic techniques, public ledgers, transactions recorded in 'blocks' and timestamped
Underlying Technology
Cryptography, Blockchain technology
Nature of Cryptocurrency
Digital currency, purely digital asset
Creation Process Examples
Mining (e.g., Bitcoin), Proof of stake
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaCrypto
Crypto commonly refers to: Cryptography, the practice and study of hiding information Cryptocurrency, a type of digital currency based on cryptography Crypto or krypto may also refer to:
Web Search Results
- Cryptocurrency Basics: Pros, Cons and How It Works - NerdWallet
Cryptocurrency (or “crypto”) is a digital currency that can be used to buy goods and services or traded for a profit. Bitcoin is the most widely used cryptocurrency. Image 16 [...] is a digital currency, such as Bitcoin, that is used as an alternative payment method or speculative investment. Cryptocurrencies get their name from the cryptographic techniques that let people spend them securely without the need for a central government or bank. Here are a few examples: [...] One common way cryptocurrencies are created is through a process known as mining, which is used by Bitcoin. Bitcoin mining can be an energy-intensive process in which computers solve complex puzzles in order to verify the authenticity of transactions on the network. As a reward, the owners of those computers can receive newly created cryptocurrency. Other cryptocurrencies use different methods, such as proof of stake, to create and distribute tokens, and many have a significantly lighter
- What is Cryptocurrency and How Does It Work? - Charles Schwab
Cryptocurrency, or crypto, is a form of digital currency that can be used for internet-based electronic payments or as a store of value. The idea of "digital cash" isn't new—credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and other payment methods permitting easy, traceable electronic transactions came before. But there are important differences. [...] "Crypto" refers to the cryptography—i.e., the unique software code underpinning a virtual currency. How does cryptocurrency work? ----------------------------- [...] Cryptocurrencies are rooted in blockchain technology. A blockchain is an open-source database—essentially a public ledger—that is distributed across a decentralized computer network (in this case, the internet) and forms a permanent record of transactions between parties. Each transaction represents a "block" of data about who owns what at a given time, along with the hash (unique identifier) of the previous block. Together these blocks form a "chain" that can't be altered or counterfeited.
- How Does Cryptocurrency Work? A Beginner's Guide - Coursera
Cryptocurrency, or crypto, is a form of digital payment. Unlike traditional currency which represents physical money, cryptocurrencies are purely digital assets. Although people use it primarily for online transactions, you can sometimes use it to purchase physical assets. While traditional payment methods are regulated by central banks and the government, cryptocurrency is decentralized, meaning it isn't controlled by one central authority. [...] The government produces traditional currency in paper bills and coins you can carry with you or put in a bank to use for purchases and transactions. You store cryptocurrencies in a digital wallet or, crypto wallet, requiring a private key to access. The government backs traditional currency, while cryptocurrency has no government, bank, or financial institution controls. Banks insure money kept in bank accounts against loss, while crypto has no recourse in the event of a loss. Image 4 [...] Cryptocurrencies are based on blockchain technology, making them very secure, although it’s still up to investors to choose trustworthy exchanges. Cryptographic techniques (the process of writing and deciphering code) are used to issue, verify, and secure transactions. Through public ledgers, transactions remain traceable and unable to be counterfeited. This peer-to-peer digital asset system makes it fast, easy, and inexpensive to send and receive payments worldwide. There's no currency
- What is Cryptocurrency and How Does it Work? - Kaspersky
Cryptocurrency, sometimes called crypto-currency or crypto, is any form of currency that exists digitally or virtually and uses cryptography to secure transactions. Cryptocurrencies don't have a central issuing or regulating authority, instead using a decentralized system to record transactions and issue new units. What is cryptocurrency? ----------------------- [...] Cryptocurrency is a digital payment system that doesn't rely on banks to verify transactions. It’s a peer-to-peer system that can enable anyone anywhere to send and receive payments. Instead of being physical money carried around and exchanged in the real world, cryptocurrency payments exist purely as digital entries to an online database describing specific transactions. When you transfer cryptocurrency funds, the transactions are recorded in a public ledger. Cryptocurrency is stored in [...] Cryptocurrencies are usually built using blockchain technology. Blockchain describes the way transactions are recorded into "blocks" and time stamped. It's a fairly complex, technical process, but the result is a digital ledger of cryptocurrency transactions that's hard for hackers to tamper with.
- Making sense of bitcoin, cryptocurrency and blockchain - PwC
Cryptocurrency is a medium of exchange, created and stored electronically on the blockchain, using cryptographic techniques to verify the transfer of funds and an algorithm to control the creation of monetary units. Bitcoin is the best known example.
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