The crypto world moves fast, and its language is just as wild. This slang isn’t just for laughs, it’s how traders, developers, and communities communicate across Twitter, Telegram, and Discord every day.
In this quick and easy guide, we break down 35 of the most popular crypto terms and slang. Whether you’re flipping memecoins, trading NFTs, or just vibing in the ecosystem, knowing these phrases will help you sound like a pro or at least not a normie.
Ready to decode crypto culture? Let’s get into it.
Airdrop
An airdrop is when a crypto project sends free tokens directly to your wallet, usually to reward early supporters or promote a new launch. You do not need to buy anything — just holding a wallet or being part of a specific community can qualify you. Airdrops are super common with meme coins, and they’re a popular way to build hype before a token gets listed.
Ape / Ape In
To “ape in” means jumping into a crypto or meme coin project fast, often without doing much research. It’s usually fueled by hype or FOMO. The term comes from the idea of going in with brute force, like an ape. Sometimes it works out big. Sometimes not so much. Either way, it’s part of the culture, especially during meme coin season.
Bagholder
A bagholder is someone stuck holding a crypto asset that has tanked in value, hoping it will recover. The “bag” is often full of worthless tokens that once looked promising. Most bagholders were once early buyers or late apes who didn’t sell in time. It’s used a lot in memes and usually said with a mix of regret and humor.
Bear Market
A bear market is when crypto prices are falling for an extended period, and confidence is low across the board. Everything feels slow, red charts are the norm, and traders tend to be more cautious. It’s the opposite of a bull market and often leads to more building and less hype. Meme coins usually lose momentum fast during this phase.
Blockchain
Blockchain is the tech that powers all of crypto. It’s a digital ledger that records every transaction in a secure and transparent way. Once something is on the blockchain, it can’t be changed or deleted. Most meme coins are built on popular blockchains like Solana, Ethereum, or Base. If you trade crypto, you’re already using blockchain tech — even if you don’t realize it.
Bull Market
A bull market is when prices are rising, and confidence is high. It’s the time when meme coins explode, new tokens pop up daily, and people feel like anything can pump. Everyone becomes a genius trader during a bull run. The mood is the complete opposite of a bear market, FOMO kicks in, and social media lights up with green charts.
Buy the Dip
Buy the dip means purchasing a crypto token after its price has dropped. Traders use this strategy to get in at a discount, hoping the price will bounce back. It’s one of the most common phrases you’ll hear during volatile markets. When meme coins crash and everyone panics, dip buyers see it as a chance to load up before the next pump.
Degen
Degen is short for degenerate, and in crypto, it’s used with pride. It describes traders who take high risks, often aping into new meme coins or low-cap tokens with zero research. Degens live for volatility and quick flips. The degen crowd drives a lot of meme coin hype and thrives in fast-moving ecosystems like Solana or Base.
Diamond Hands
Someone with diamond hands refuses to sell their crypto no matter how much the price drops. This term shows commitment and belief in the long-term value of a coin. It’s often used during big market dips when others are panicking. Diamond hands holders ride out the volatility and wait for the next run, especially in the meme coin scene.
Dusting Attack
A dusting attack happens when scammers send tiny amounts of crypto (called “dust”) to thousands of wallets. It may seem harmless, but it’s often used to track wallets and link them to identities. These attacks are more common on public blockchains and are sometimes targeted at meme coin traders who may not check sender details closely.
DYOR (Do Your Own Research)
DYOR is a core principle in crypto. It reminds traders to dig into the details before buying any token. Meme coins in particular can move fast, but that speed comes with risks. Checking tokenomics, dev teams, and community activity can help protect your wallet. Trusting a friend’s tweet without research is how many people get rugged.
ERC-20
ERC-20 is a standard for tokens built on Ethereum. Most meme coins that first launched on Ethereum — like SHIB or FLOKI — follow this format. It allows wallets and exchanges to interact with these tokens easily. If a project says it’s an ERC-20, you’ll need an Ethereum-compatible wallet like MetaMask to trade or store it.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
FOMO kicks in when a coin is pumping and everyone is talking about it. You feel like you have to buy in or you’ll miss your shot. Meme coins thrive on this energy, often spiking fast when the hype is strong. But jumping in too late can leave you buying the top, so it’s always smart to stay calm and follow your plan.
Fork
A fork is when a blockchain splits into two versions. This can happen to fix bugs, change rules, or settle community disagreements. For example, Ethereum and Ethereum Classic came from a fork. Meme coins rarely fork, but when they do, it usually creates a new token and a lot of market confusion.
Gas Fees
Gas fees are the small costs you pay to complete a transaction on blockchains like Ethereum or Solana. Meme coin traders often feel the pain during high activity, especially on ETH where fees can spike. Some bots let you adjust tips or fees to speed up your trades. Timing and network choice can make a big difference in how much you pay.
HODL
HODL started as a typo for “hold” but turned into a battle cry. It means holding onto your crypto, no matter how wild the market gets. Meme coin holders love to say they’re HODLing for dear life, especially when prices crash. It’s part strategy, part stubbornness, and all about believing in the long game.
Liquidity Pool (LP)
A liquidity pool is where tokens are locked so people can trade between them on decentralized exchanges. When a meme coin launches, it usually needs an LP on a platform like Raydium or Uniswap. The size of the pool affects how smooth and fair the trades are. Low liquidity means bigger price swings and higher risks.
Market Cap
Market cap shows the total value of a coin in circulation. You get it by multiplying the price by the number of tokens. A coin with a low price doesn’t always mean it’s “cheap.” Meme coins with huge supplies need insane market caps to hit $1. That’s why checking the cap tells you more than just staring at the price.
Mint
To mint means creating new tokens on a blockchain. When a meme coin is launched, the team often mints the full supply right away. Some tokens allow users to mint more, which can affect scarcity and price. Knowing how and when a coin is minted helps you understand its future potential and possible risks.
Moon / Mooning
When someone says a coin is “mooning,” they mean it’s going up fast—like, rocket ship level. Meme coins are all about hype, and when one catches fire, holders say it’s “going to the moon.” It’s not financial advice, but it shows how excited the community gets when prices surge.
Paper Hands
Paper hands describe someone who sells too early, especially during a dip. In meme coin culture, it’s often used as an insult for traders who can’t handle volatility. True believers with “diamond hands” hold through the storm. But sometimes paper hands walk away with profits before things crash, so it depends on your strategy.
PFP
PFP stands for “profile picture” and refers to NFT avatars often used on social media. In the crypto space, many traders use PFPs from collections like CryptoPunks or Solana meme NFTs to show allegiance to a project or signal status in a community. It’s a mix of identity and digital flexing.
Pump and Dump
A pump and dump happens when a group hypes up a coin, drives the price up, and then quickly sells for profit, leaving late buyers holding the bag. It’s risky and common in low-liquidity meme coins. Some meme projects pump organically, but others are built just to dump.
Rekt
Rekt is the internet way of saying “wrecked.” You got rekt if you bought high and sold low, got rugged, or lost a chunk of your portfolio. It’s used both as a joke and a warning. Most traders say it with a little pain and a lot of self-awareness. If you trade meme coins long enough, you’ll probably get rekt at least once.
Rug Pull
A rug pull is when developers drain liquidity or vanish with investor funds. One day your coin is flying, and the next it’s worthless. It’s one of the biggest risks in meme coin trading. Always check if the dev wallet is doxxed, liquidity is locked, or the token contract is verified.
Sats
Sats, short for satoshis, are the smallest unit of Bitcoin. One sat is equal to 0.00000001 BTC. People often use the term when stacking small amounts of Bitcoin, especially when prices are high. In casual talk, you’ll hear “stacking sats” as a way to say you’re buying a little at a time.
Shill
To shill means promoting a crypto project, often loudly and everywhere. Sometimes it’s genuine support, other times it’s paid promotion or part of a pump scheme. You’ll find shilling across Telegram groups, Twitter replies, and meme videos. It’s part hype, part marketing.
Stablecoin
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to a stable asset like the US dollar. They’re designed to reduce volatility and are commonly used for holding value or bridging between trades. Popular ones include USDC, USDT, and DAI. Stablecoins help meme coin traders manage risk between pumps.
Staking
Staking is when you lock up your crypto to help secure a network or support operations like validating transactions. In return, you earn rewards over time. It’s common in proof-of-stake blockchains like Solana or Ethereum. Many meme coin ecosystems also introduce staking as part of their token utility to keep holders engaged.
Tokenomics
Tokenomics refers to the economic design of a cryptocurrency. It covers things like the total supply, burn mechanics, team allocations, and incentives for holders. Good tokenomics can build strong communities and long-term value, while poor setups often signal red flags in low-effort meme coins.
Utility Token
A utility token gives users access to specific features, services, or tools within a blockchain platform. It’s not designed just for speculation but has some function. In the meme coin space, more projects are starting to add real utility like access to games, NFTs, or trading tools to stand out in a crowded market.
WAGMI (We’re All Gonna Make It)
WAGMI is one of the most positive phrases in crypto. It’s used to pump up communities, especially during uncertain times. You’ll see it all over Twitter when people want to rally support or show belief in a project. Whether it’s a serious blockchain or a chaotic meme coin, WAGMI reminds traders they’re part of something bigger.
Whitelist
A whitelist gives early access to mint or buy a token before the public launch. It’s used in NFT drops and meme coin pre-sales. Being on the whitelist can mean better prices and less competition. To get in, you might have to join a Telegram group, complete a task, or just be early. It’s a way to reward the most active supporters.
