Accept BitcoinBeginner
Accept Bitcoin
Accept Bitcoin means letting customers pay a business in BTC, usually through a payment provider that handles confirmation and settlement.
Crypto Glossary
Cryptocurrency Glossary & Terms
Crypto terms to know. The cryptocurrency world made simple with Collect & Exchange CY.
Popular:
- 123
- Definitions
- 13
- Services
- 123
- Linked guides
123 terms
A
Corporate Crypto WalletIntermediate
Address Whitelisting
Address whitelisting limits withdrawals to pre-approved wallet addresses to reduce the risk of misdirected or fraudulent transfers.
StablecoinsAdvanced
Algorithmic Stablecoin
An algorithmic stablecoin tries to hold its value through supply rules rather than full reserves, which carries higher risk.
MiCA RegulationBeginner
AML
Anti-Money Laundering controls help detect, prevent, and report financial activity linked to illicit funds.
MiCA RegulationAdvanced
Asset-Referenced Token (ART)
An asset-referenced token is the MiCA category for a token that references a basket of assets or several currencies.
Crypto OfframpIntermediate
Auto-Conversion
Auto-conversion automatically converts incoming crypto into a chosen fiat currency or stablecoin.
B
Crypto PaymentBeginner
B2B Crypto Payment
A B2B crypto payment is a transfer of crypto-assets between two businesses, for example to pay a supplier invoice.
Accept BitcoinBeginner
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin is the first and largest crypto-asset, running on a decentralised network with a fixed supply.
Accept BitcoinBeginner
Bitcoin Merchant
A Bitcoin merchant is a business that accepts BTC as a payment method, directly or through a payment provider.
Accept BitcoinBeginner
Bitcoin Payment
A Bitcoin payment is a transfer of BTC from a customer wallet to a merchant in exchange for goods or services.
Crypto OTCAdvanced
Block Trade
A block trade is a large transaction negotiated privately to avoid moving the public market price.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Blockchain
A blockchain is a shared digital ledger that records transactions across a distributed network of computers.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Blockchain Explorer
A blockchain explorer is a website for looking up transactions, addresses, and blocks on a network.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Blockchain Network
A blockchain network is the specific chain a transfer runs on; sender and receiver must use the same one.
C
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
CASP
A crypto-asset service provider is a firm authorised under MiCA to offer services such as exchange, custody, or transfer.
Crypto CustodyBeginner
Cold Storage
Cold storage keeps private keys on devices that are never connected to the internet.
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Cold Wallet
A cold wallet keeps private keys offline, reducing online attack risk for funds that do not need to move often.
Crypto OfframpBeginner
Convert Crypto to Fiat
Converting crypto to fiat means selling crypto-assets and receiving traditional currency in a bank account.
Crypto OnrampBeginner
Convert Fiat to Crypto
Converting fiat to crypto means buying crypto-assets with government-issued money such as EUR or USD.
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Corporate Crypto Wallet
A corporate crypto wallet lets a company hold, send, and receive crypto-assets under business ownership, with roles and approval controls.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Cross-Border Payment
A cross-border payment sends value from one country to another, often involving currencies, fees, and settlement time.
SwapAdvanced
Cross-Chain Swap
A cross-chain swap exchanges assets that live on different blockchain networks.
Crypto AcquiringBeginner
Crypto Acquiring
Crypto acquiring is a service that lets merchants accept crypto-asset payments from customers and receive settlement in crypto or fiat.
Crypto AcquiringBeginner
Crypto Checkout
A crypto checkout is the page or widget where a customer selects an asset and network and completes payment.
Crypto ConverterBeginner
Crypto Converter
A crypto converter shows how much of one asset equals another at the current exchange rate.
Crypto CustodyBeginner
Crypto Custody
Crypto custody is the safekeeping of crypto-assets and the private keys that control them on behalf of clients.
Crypto ExchangeBeginner
Crypto Exchange
A crypto exchange is a platform or service for buying, selling, or converting crypto-assets, including crypto-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat flows.
Crypto AcquiringBeginner
Crypto Invoice
A crypto invoice is a payment request showing the amount, asset, network, and address a customer should pay to.
Crypto OfframpBeginner
Crypto Off-Ramp
A crypto off-ramp is a service that converts crypto-assets into fiat money paid to a bank account.
Crypto OfframpBeginner
Crypto Offramp
A crypto offramp (off-ramp) is a service that converts crypto-assets into fiat money paid to a bank account.
Crypto OnrampBeginner
Crypto On-Ramp
A crypto on-ramp is a service that converts fiat money into crypto-assets.
Crypto OnrampBeginner
Crypto Onramp
A crypto onramp (on-ramp) is a service that converts fiat money into crypto-assets.
Crypto OTCIntermediate
Crypto OTC
Crypto OTC is over-the-counter trading: buying or selling crypto directly with a desk, outside a public order book.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Crypto Payment
Crypto payment is accepting or sending crypto-assets for goods, services, or invoices through a gateway, invoice, or checkout.
Crypto AcquiringBeginner
Crypto Payment Gateway
A crypto payment gateway helps businesses accept digital asset payments through a structured checkout flow.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Crypto Payment Processing
Crypto payment processing covers the steps from a customer paying in crypto to the merchant receiving confirmed funds.
Crypto AcquiringBeginner
Crypto Payment Processor
A crypto payment processor handles transaction confirmation, conversion, reporting, and merchant settlement.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Crypto Payments
Crypto payments are transfers of crypto-assets made in exchange for goods, services, or invoices.
Crypto ConverterBeginner
Crypto Profit Calculator
A crypto profit calculator estimates gain or loss from buy price, sell price, amount, and fees.
SwapBeginner
Crypto Swap
A crypto swap exchanges one crypto-asset directly for another without first converting to fiat.
Crypto OfframpIntermediate
Crypto to Fiat Gateway
A crypto to fiat gateway takes incoming crypto and settles the merchant or user in traditional currency.
Crypto ExchangeBeginner
Crypto-Fiat Exchange
Crypto-fiat exchange converts digital assets into traditional currencies, or traditional currencies into crypto-assets.
Crypto OfframpIntermediate
Crypto-to-Fiat Settlement
Crypto-to-fiat settlement means a merchant is paid in crypto but receives the proceeds in fiat currency.
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Custodial Wallet
A custodial wallet is managed by a third party that stores private keys and helps users access their digital assets.
MiCA RegulationBeginner
CySEC
CySEC is the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, the financial regulator supervising CASPs in Cyprus.
D
StablecoinsIntermediate
Depeg
A depeg occurs when a stablecoin trades meaningfully away from its target value.
Crypto CustodyBeginner
Digital Asset
A digital asset is a token, coin, or other value representation that exists and moves through digital infrastructure.
Crypto CustodyIntermediate
Digital Asset Custodian
A digital asset custodian is a regulated firm that holds and safeguards crypto-assets for clients.
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Digital Wallet
A digital wallet is software that stores payment credentials or keys so a user can hold and move money or crypto-assets.
E
StablecoinsIntermediate
E-Money Token (EMT)
An e-money token is the MiCA category for a stablecoin that references a single official currency.
MiCA RegulationAdvanced
EDD (Enhanced Due Diligence)
Enhanced due diligence is deeper verification applied to higher-risk clients or transactions.
StablecoinsIntermediate
ERC-20
ERC-20 is the token standard on Ethereum used by many stablecoins and other tokens.
Crypto ExchangeBeginner
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum is a blockchain network that supports smart contracts; ETH is its native asset and is not a stablecoin.
MiCA RegulationAdvanced
EU Passporting
EU passporting lets a firm authorised in one member state provide services across the European Economic Area.
StablecoinsBeginner
EURC
EURC is a euro-referenced stablecoin used for euro-denominated crypto payments and settlement.
Crypto ConverterBeginner
Exchange Rate
An exchange rate is the price of one asset expressed in another at the moment of conversion.
F
Crypto OnrampBeginner
Fiat Currency
Fiat currency is government-issued money, such as USD, EUR, or GBP.
Crypto OfframpBeginner
Fiat Withdrawal
A fiat withdrawal moves traditional currency from a platform balance to an external bank account.
StablecoinsBeginner
Fiat-Backed Stablecoin
A fiat-backed stablecoin is supported by reserves such as cash and short-term government debt held by the issuer.
Crypto OnrampBeginner
Fiat-to-Crypto Gateway
A fiat-to-crypto gateway accepts bank or card payments and delivers the equivalent value in crypto-assets.
G
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Gas Fee
A gas fee is a blockchain network charge paid to process, validate, and record a transaction.
H
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Hot Wallet
A hot wallet is connected to the internet, making it useful for frequent payments but more exposed to online risk.
I
Crypto OnrampBeginner
IBAN
An IBAN is a standardised international bank account number used to route bank transfers.
Corporate Crypto WalletIntermediate
Institutional Crypto Wallet
An institutional crypto wallet is built for regulated firms, adding multi-user approvals, audit trails, and policy controls.
Crypto CustodyIntermediate
Institutional Custody
Institutional custody is custody designed for funds and companies, with governance, reporting, and insurance options.
K
MiCA RegulationBeginner
KYB
Know Your Business verifies a company identity, ownership, structure, and risk profile before onboarding.
MiCA RegulationBeginner
KYC
Know Your Customer is the process of verifying a client identity before providing financial or crypto services.
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
KYT (Know Your Transaction)
Know Your Transaction is the monitoring of crypto transfers to detect links to risky or illicit activity.
L
Accept BitcoinIntermediate
Lightning Network
The Lightning Network is a layer on top of Bitcoin that enables faster, lower-cost payments.
Crypto OTCIntermediate
Liquidity
Liquidity describes how easily an asset can be bought, sold, or converted without a major change in price.
Crypto OTCIntermediate
Liquidity Provider
A liquidity provider supplies assets or quotes so that trades can be filled at stable prices.
M
Crypto OTCAdvanced
Market Maker
A market maker continuously quotes buy and sell prices to provide liquidity in a market.
Crypto PaymentIntermediate
Mass Payout
A mass payout sends crypto or fiat to many recipients in one batch, such as partners, suppliers, or contractors.
Crypto AcquiringBeginner
Merchant Settlement
Merchant settlement is when a business receives the final payment amount after a customer transaction is processed.
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
MiCA
Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation is the EU framework for crypto-asset issuance and crypto-asset service providers.
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
MiCA Compliance
MiCA compliance means meeting the regulation's requirements on authorisation, governance, client asset protection, and disclosure.
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
MiCA Regulation
MiCA Regulation is the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets framework for crypto-asset issuance and crypto-asset service providers.
Crypto CustodyAdvanced
MPC (Multi-Party Computation)
MPC splits a private key into shares held by separate parties so no single party can sign alone.
Corporate Crypto WalletIntermediate
Multi-Signature Wallet
A multi-signature wallet requires approval from several key holders before a transaction can be sent.
N
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Network Confirmation
A network confirmation means a blockchain transaction has been included in a block and accepted by the network.
Corporate Crypto WalletIntermediate
Non-Custodial Wallet
A non-custodial wallet gives users control of their private keys and responsibility for keeping them safe.
O
Crypto PaymentBeginner
On-Chain Payment
An on-chain payment is recorded directly on a blockchain and can usually be checked with a blockchain explorer.
Crypto ExchangeIntermediate
Order Book
An order book is the list of open buy and sell orders for an asset on an exchange.
Crypto OTCIntermediate
OTC Desk
An OTC desk is a service that quotes and executes large crypto trades for clients at an agreed price.
Crypto OTCIntermediate
OTC Trading
OTC trading is the direct purchase or sale of crypto between two parties, outside a public order book.
P
Crypto AcquiringIntermediate
Payment API
A payment API lets a business create payments, check statuses, and automate payouts directly from its own systems.
Crypto AcquiringBeginner
Payment Link
A payment link is a shareable URL that opens a hosted checkout so a customer can pay without a website integration.
Crypto PaymentIntermediate
Payment Rail
A payment rail is the system used to move money, such as card networks, bank transfers, or blockchain networks.
Crypto ExchangeBeginner
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Exchange
A peer-to-peer exchange matches buyers and sellers who trade directly with each other.
StablecoinsBeginner
Peg
A peg is the target value a stablecoin aims to hold, for example one US dollar.
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Private Key
A private key is secret cryptographic information that authorises control over crypto-assets in a wallet.
Crypto CustodyIntermediate
Proof of Reserves
Proof of reserves is evidence that a provider holds the assets it owes to its clients.
R
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Remittance
A remittance is money sent by a person or business to someone in another location, often across borders.
Crypto OTCAdvanced
Request for Quote (RFQ)
A request for quote is when a client asks a desk for a firm price on a specific trade size.
S
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
Sanctions Screening
Sanctions screening checks clients and wallets against official sanctions lists before a transaction is processed.
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Seed Phrase
A seed phrase is a list of words that can restore a wallet and all of its private keys.
Crypto CustodyIntermediate
Segregated Account
A segregated account keeps client assets separate from the provider's own assets.
Crypto OnrampBeginner
SEPA Transfer
A SEPA transfer is a euro bank payment between accounts in the Single Euro Payments Area.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Settlement Time
Settlement time is how long it takes for a payment to become final and available to the receiving party.
SwapIntermediate
Slippage
Slippage is the difference between the expected price of a trade and the price at which it executes.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Smart Contract
A smart contract is blockchain-based code that executes agreed rules when predefined conditions are met.
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
Source of Funds
Source of funds is the origin of the money or crypto used in a specific transaction.
Crypto ExchangeIntermediate
Spread
The spread is the gap between the buy price and the sell price of an asset.
StablecoinsBeginner
Stablecoin
A stablecoin is a crypto-asset designed to track the value of another asset, often a fiat currency such as USD.
StablecoinsIntermediate
Stablecoin Reserves
Stablecoin reserves are the assets an issuer holds to support redemption of its tokens.
StablecoinsIntermediate
Stablecoin Settlement
Stablecoin settlement uses stablecoins to complete payments between businesses, often faster than bank transfers.
StablecoinsBeginner
Stablecoins
Stablecoins are crypto-assets designed to track the value of another asset, often a fiat currency such as USD.
SwapBeginner
Swap
A swap exchanges one crypto-asset directly for another without first converting to fiat.
SwapIntermediate
Swap Aggregator
A swap aggregator compares several liquidity sources to find the best available rate for a swap.
Crypto OnrampBeginner
SWIFT Transfer
A SWIFT transfer is an international bank payment routed through the SWIFT messaging network.
T
Crypto ExchangeBeginner
Token
A token is a crypto-asset issued on an existing blockchain rather than on its own network.
Crypto ExchangeBeginner
Trading Pair
A trading pair is two assets that can be exchanged for each other, such as BTC/EUR.
Crypto PaymentBeginner
Transaction Hash
A transaction hash is a unique reference used to find and verify a blockchain transaction.
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
Transaction Monitoring
Transaction monitoring reviews payments against rules and risk signals to flag suspicious activity.
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
Travel Rule
The Travel Rule requires providers to share sender and recipient information with crypto transfers.
U
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner)
The ultimate beneficial owner is the natural person who ultimately owns or controls a company.
Crypto AcquiringIntermediate
Underpayment
An underpayment happens when a customer sends less crypto than the invoice amount, often because of fees or rate changes.
StablecoinsBeginner
USDC
USDC is a dollar-referenced stablecoin commonly used for crypto payments, transfers, trading, and settlement.
V
MiCA RegulationIntermediate
VASP
A virtual asset service provider is the FATF term for a business offering crypto exchange, transfer, or custody services.
Crypto ExchangeBeginner
Volatility
Volatility is how much and how quickly an asset price moves; merchants often manage it by converting to fiat or stablecoins.
W
Corporate Crypto WalletBeginner
Wallet Address
A wallet address is a public string used to receive crypto-assets on a specific blockchain network.
Crypto AcquiringIntermediate
Webhook
A webhook is an automatic notification sent to a merchant system when a payment status changes.
Crypto OfframpBeginner
Withdrawal Fee
A withdrawal fee is the cost charged when moving money or crypto from a platform to an external account or wallet.
Definitions are provided for general information only and do not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important crypto terms include cryptocurrency, blockchain, Bitcoin, altcoin, token, wallet, private key, stablecoin, exchange, gas fee, staking, mining, and smart contract.
Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses blockchain technology to record and verify transactions. It can be transferred between users without relying on traditional banking infrastructure.
Blockchain is a digital record of transactions stored across a network of computers. Transactions are grouped into blocks and securely connected, creating a transparent and difficult-to-alter history.
Beginners commonly encounter terms such as Bitcoin, blockchain, crypto wallet, exchange, token, stablecoin, private key, seed phrase, gas fee, market cap, and decentralization.
The Collect & Exchange CY Crypto Glossary is designed for beginners, businesses, finance teams, founders, and anyone who wants to better understand cryptocurrency terms and definitions.
