top of page
Explore Crypto Terms & Definitions
Ether (ETH)
The native currency for the Ethereum Network. It functions both as a money (in a broad sense) and a token for paying for smart contracts execution.
Ethereum Classic
Ethereum was forked in 2015 in order to recover funds from a DAO hack. Both chains were maintained, the original Ethereum became Ethereum Classic alongside a new chain simply called Ethereum.
Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)
Name given to the software that processes smart contracts built on the Ethereum Network. It is described as Turing Complete.
Exit Scam
Describes a cryptocurrency project that is abandoned without notice. Those behind the project disappear along with the funds, scamming the users.
Fiat Currency
The term to describe money created by governments which isn't backed by any asset like Gold. In Latin FIAT means 'let it be done', so Fiat Money is essentially money that functions and has value simply because the government says so.
Fill or Kill Order
An order to buy or sell a cryptocurrency that must be executed immediately or not at all.
Flippening
Slang term used to describe a pivotal change in price or perception of a cryptocurrency usually in reference to another coin/project e.g. Ethereum, growing to be more valuable and/or more important than Bitcoin.
Fork
A change in the design of a blockchain creating two paths which nodes and miners need to choose, like meeting a fork in a road and deciding which route to take. Each path (fork) is a new blockchain.
Full Node
A full node is responsible for verifying, authenticating, and storing all transactions occurring on a blockchain network and acts as a core server
Fungible
A property of money, meaning that each unit is indistinguishable and interchangeable. Any Euro can be exchanged for any other Euro. Cryptocurrency has this property.
Ethereum
The second most prominent cryptocurrency after Bitcoin. Created by Vitalik Buterin in 2013, Ethereum is a blockchain intended as a base layer for any application (or dApp) to run on top of using the Ethereum Virtual Machine, aka world computer. It also functions as a decentralised digital money.
Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)
The standardised development process for making updates to the Ethereum network.
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)
A fund that gives an investor exposure to a basket of securities or assets without actually owning them. ETFs can be bought and sold at any time during market trading hours. Approval of a Bitcoin ETF is seen as being a watershed moment bringing in more retail investors.
Faucet
A software program that automatically dispenses small amounts of cryptocurrency at set intervals and usually after a specific criteria have been met e.g completing a capture, form submission or watching an advert.
Fiat Peg
Describes the connection between a cryptocurrency or token and the price of a fiat currency. Creating an automatic way to maintain the peg between a cryptocurrency and a fiat currency, enabled the development of Stablecoins.
First Mover Advantage
Game theory term used to describe the competitive advantage gained by being the first to take action. In reference to cryptocurrency applies to those coins developed first, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
FOMO
Fear of Missing Out; A description of a type of buying behaviour motivated solely by a desire not to miss out on anticipated further increases in price.
FUD
Fear, Uncertainty, Denial. An acronym widely used to describe unsubstantiated criticism intending to create doubt or generate negative sentiment.
Fundamental Analysis (FA)
Establishing the long term potential for adoption of a cryptocurrency based on analysis of fundamental factors, such as the problem it solves, the size of opportunity, the team involved and any existing competition. Compare to Technical Analysis.
Futures
A type of trade that speculates on what the price of an asset will be at a specific point in the future, as opposed to Spot Trading, based on current prices.
bottom of page