Crypto & Finance Glossary

A cryptocurrency wallet connected to the internet.

The legal test the SEC uses to determine if something is a security.

A term used by zkSync for application-specific ZK-rollup chains that share a common settlement layer.

An open-source enterprise blockchain framework hosted by the Linux Foundation.

A comprehensive technical indicator that shows support, resistance, trend direction, momentum, and trade signals all at once.

A fundraising method where new crypto projects sell tokens to early investors.

Token launches that happen directly on decentralized exchanges rather than centralized platforms.

Data that can't be changed once written.

The difference between holding tokens in a liquidity pool versus just holding them in your wallet.

The market's expectation of how much an asset's price will move, derived from options pricing.

A fund that tracks a market index like the S&P 500 by holding all its components.

An average price derived from multiple exchanges, used as a reference for derivatives trading.

When you approve a smart contract to spend unlimited amounts of a token from your wallet.

The rate at which prices rise and money loses purchasing power.

A Cosmos-based Layer 1 blockchain built specifically for finance applications.

Data permanently embedded directly onto Bitcoin's blockchain, popularized by the Ordinals protocol in 2023.

A new approach where users specify what outcome they want (like 'swap 1 ETH for the most USDC possible') and solvers compete to fill that intent.

A new paradigm where users specify what they want to achieve (the intent) rather than how to achieve it (specific transactions).

The cost of borrowing money, set by central banks and market forces.

The ability of different blockchains to communicate and work together.

A decentralized file storage protocol that addresses content by what it is rather than where it is.

When a private company first sells shares to the public on a stock exchange.

A margin mode where you assign a specific amount of collateral to each position separately.

A liquid staking protocol on Solana that gives you JitoSOL when you stake your SOL, plus it captures MEV rewards for extra yield.

The dominant DEX aggregator on Solana.

A MEV strategy where someone adds concentrated liquidity to a pool right before a large trade and removes it immediately after, capturing most of the trading fees.

A Layer 1 blockchain that combines the speed of Cosmos with EVM compatibility, letting developers build with either Cosmos SDK or Solidity.

A bot or user that performs necessary maintenance tasks on DeFi protocols in exchange for a reward.

A formula that calculates the optimal bet size based on your edge and the odds.

Identity verification required by regulated financial services.

A platform that helps new crypto projects launch their tokens and raise funds from early investors.

The underlying infrastructure that connects and enables communication between different Layer 1 blockchains.

The base blockchain that processes and finalizes transactions.

A secondary network built on top of a Layer 1 to improve scalability.

Application-specific chains built on top of Layer 2 networks, adding another level of scalability for particular use cases like gaming or social apps.

An omnichain interoperability protocol that lets smart contracts communicate across blockchains.

A record of transactions.

A DeFi application that lets you lend your crypto to earn interest or borrow against your holdings.

Borrowing funds to increase your trading position beyond what your capital alone would allow.

Let's F***ing Go.

The largest liquid staking protocol, mainly used for Ethereum staking.

A Layer 2 payment network built on Bitcoin that enables near-instant, low-cost transactions through payment channels.

An order to buy or sell at a specific price or better.

An Ethereum Layer 2 built by Consensys (the company behind MetaMask) using zero-knowledge proof technology.

Taking liquid staking one step further by restaking your liquid staking tokens on protocols like EigenLayer and getting yet another receipt token.

Staking your crypto while still being able to use it in DeFi through a receipt token.

A token received when staking through a liquid staking protocol, representing your staked position.

When a borrower's collateral is forcibly sold because their position became too risky.

How easily an asset can be bought or sold without significantly affecting its price.

A Dutch auction-style token launch mechanism where the price starts high and gradually decreases.