Digital Asset Course
Go deeper into blockchain, custody, markets, security, and investment considerations.
Continue learning ↗DIGITAL ASSET GLOSSARY
The terms behind the technology.
Use this reference to understand common digital asset, blockchain, market, custody, and investment language.
A–Z REFERENCE
Start with the terms you see most often.
This glossary is an educational reference. Definitions are intentionally concise; context can vary by network, product, jurisdiction, and use case.
Address
An identifier used to receive or send digital assets on a blockchain network.
Altcoin
A common informal term for a crypto asset other than Bitcoin.
Blockchain
A distributed ledger system that records transactions across a network according to defined rules.
Block
A collection of transactions or other data recorded together on a blockchain.
Cold Wallet
A form of storage designed to keep private keys offline and reduce certain online attack risks.
Consensus
The process by which participants in a network agree on the state or validity of transactions.
DeFi
Decentralized finance applications and services built using blockchain-based systems and smart contracts.
Exchange
A platform or marketplace where users may buy, sell, or trade digital assets.
Gas Fee
A network fee paid to process certain transactions or execute operations on a blockchain.
Hash
A cryptographic output used in blockchain systems for identification, verification, and data integrity.
Liquidity
The ability to buy or sell an asset without causing a significant change in its price.
Market Cap
A commonly used measure calculated from an asset's market price and circulating supply.
Mining
A process used by some blockchain networks to validate transactions and secure the network.
Node
A computer participating in a blockchain network by storing, relaying, validating, or otherwise processing network data.
Private Key
Secret cryptographic information that can authorize control or movement of assets associated with an address.
Public Key
Cryptographic information related to an address that can be shared as part of a public-key system.
Smart Contract
Program code deployed to a blockchain that can execute defined actions when specified conditions are met.
Stablecoin
A digital asset designed to maintain a relatively stable value, often in relation to a reference asset or currency.
Token
A digital representation created on a blockchain, potentially representing value, access, rights, or utility.
Wallet
Software or hardware used to manage the cryptographic information associated with digital assets.
Web3
A broad term often used for blockchain-based applications and decentralized digital infrastructure.
Volatility
The degree to which an asset's price changes over time; higher volatility can mean larger and faster price movements.
Proof of Stake
A consensus approach in which network participants can help secure a blockchain through staked assets.
Proof of Work
A consensus approach that uses computational work to help secure and validate a blockchain network.
NEED MORE CONTEXT?
A definition is only the beginning.
Terms can mean different things depending on the network, product, technology, or jurisdiction. Use the glossary alongside the course and broader research materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find practical answers to common questions about digital assets and investing.
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Use research and market perspectives to put individual terms into a broader context.
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