Crypto Slang 101: Learn the Terms Traders Use Daily
Cryptocurrency isn’t just about technology or finance—it’s also about culture. And like any culture, the crypto world has developed its own language. If you’re new to crypto, scrolling through a Twitter feed or a Discord chat can be confusing. You’ll see terms like “HODL,” “FUD,” “WAGMI,” and “REKT,” and you might wonder if you’ve stumbled into another dimension. These are more than just memes—they’re part of the way traders communicate quickly and express their thoughts on market trends, behaviors, and community values.
Whether you’re just starting out or want to connect more deeply with the crypto community, this guide explains the most popular crypto slang terms and how to use them.
HODL – Hold On for Dear Life
Originally a typo from a 2013 Bitcoin forum post, “HODL” became the unofficial mantra of crypto traders who refuse to sell when markets get rough. It’s now a badge of honor for long-term believers who hold through all the ups and downs. If you’re HODLing, you’re staying in the game no matter what.
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
FOMO describes the anxiety people feel when they see a crypto asset rising quickly in price and fear they’ll miss the opportunity if they don’t jump in. It’s a powerful emotional driver, often leading traders to buy at the top. Knowing when FOMO is influencing your decisions can help you trade more rationally.
FUD – Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt
FUD is used to describe negative information—real or fake—that causes fear or panic in the market. It can be spread unintentionally or used as a strategy to push prices down. Savvy traders often say “don’t fall for the FUD” to encourage others to remain confident in their investments.
WAGMI – We’re All Gonna Make It
WAGMI is an optimistic slogan that represents the belief that everyone in the crypto space will succeed if they keep building and supporting each other. It’s common in NFT and Web3 communities and is often used to build positive momentum and unity among users.
NGMI – Not Gonna Make It
NGMI is used—sometimes jokingly, sometimes critically—to describe people or actions that are shortsighted, overly cautious, or dismissive of crypto. For example, someone who sells all their coins during a temporary dip might be labeled as NGMI by others who expect long-term gains.
REKT – Wrecked
This term describes someone who has suffered a big loss in the market, usually from a bad trade, a leverage mistake, or falling for a scam. It’s part humor, part sympathy. “I got REKT on that last trade” is something you’ll hear often when people share their missteps in crypto.
Moon / Mooning
When people say a coin is “mooning,” they mean its price is skyrocketing. “To the moon” has become a battle cry for traders expecting massive gains. You’ll often see rocket emojis 🚀 next to coin names when they’re surging in value.
Bagholder
A bagholder is someone who holds onto a crypto asset that has dramatically decreased in value, hoping it will recover. It’s often used to describe people who got caught buying at the peak. Some bagholders become long-term HODLers by default.
Diamond Hands
Having diamond hands means you’re refusing to sell your crypto, even during a market crash. It’s about staying strong and not giving in to panic. The term became especially popular during the GameStop and Dogecoin movements, where communities encouraged each other not to sell.
Paper Hands
The opposite of diamond hands, paper hands refers to someone who sells quickly when prices drop or volatility rises. It implies a lack of conviction or nerves of steel. Paper hands may protect against losses, but they also might miss out on rebounds.
Ape In
To “ape in” means to buy into a coin or project impulsively, often based on hype or social media buzz, without doing proper research. It’s risky, but sometimes pays off. The term originated in meme coin and NFT communities where speed and trend-chasing were common.
DYOR – Do Your Own Research
One of the most important crypto phrases. DYOR is a reminder not to follow the crowd blindly. There’s a lot of noise and misinformation in the crypto space, so you’re better off taking the time to verify facts, read whitepapers, and assess risks for yourself.
Gas Fees
On networks like Ethereum, gas fees are the transaction costs required to perform actions like sending tokens or executing smart contracts. When the network is congested, gas fees can skyrocket, making small transactions expensive or impractical.
Whale
A whale is someone who holds a large amount of a particular cryptocurrency. Because of their big holdings, their trades can move markets. People often track whale wallets to anticipate price swings based on large buys or sells.
Rug Pull
A rug pull happens when a crypto project suddenly disappears, taking investor money with it. It’s one of the most common types of scams in the DeFi and NFT world. Spotting red flags like anonymous teams, lack of audits, or locked liquidity can help avoid rug pulls.
Pump and Dump
This describes a manipulative strategy where prices are artificially pumped up—often with hype or misleading info—and then dumped by early insiders, leaving late buyers with heavy losses. While illegal in traditional finance, it can be harder to regulate in crypto.
GM / GN
Short for “Good Morning” and “Good Night,” these greetings are a key part of crypto and NFT community culture. “GM” is more than just a hello—it’s a sign of positive vibes and community support that crosses time zones and continents.
LFG – Let’s F*ing Go**
LFG is a slang acronym used to express excitement, urgency, or rallying energy. You’ll often see it when coins are pumping, major announcements drop, or communities are celebrating a milestone. It captures the energy that drives crypto’s fast-moving ecosystem.
Pepe / Wojak / Meme Culture
Crypto slang is also deeply intertwined with meme culture. Characters like Pepe the Frog and Wojak are often used to express emotions like euphoria, panic, or disappointment in a humorous and relatable way. These memes act as visual shorthand in a world of rapid price movement and emotional trading.
Conclusion: Crypto Slang Is More Than Just Words
Learning crypto slang isn’t just about decoding memes or understanding what people say on Twitter. It’s about understanding the mindset and culture of the crypto community. These terms reflect how traders think, how they deal with risk, how they share victories and losses, and how they bond with each other in an industry that moves at lightning speed.
Whether you’re here for serious investing, technological innovation, or just the memes, knowing crypto slang will help you communicate, learn, and thrive in this space. So the next time someone says “HODL,” responds with “GM,” or yells “WAGMI!”—you’ll know exactly what they mean. And who knows, maybe you’ll be the one teaching others what it all means someday.
