Glossary — trading terms explained simply
Every term BlockTicker uses, defined in plain language. If something is missing, tell us.
Altcoin
Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin. Examples include Ethereum, Solana, and XRP.
ATH (All-Time High)
The highest price a cryptocurrency has ever reached.
Bear Market
A market condition where prices are falling or expected to fall over a sustained period.
Blockchain
A decentralized, distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers.
Bull Market
A market condition where prices are rising or expected to rise.
CEX
Centralized Exchange — a crypto trading platform run by a company (e.g., Binance, Coinbase).
DeFi
Decentralized Finance — financial services built on blockchain without traditional intermediaries.
DEX
Decentralized Exchange — a peer-to-peer crypto exchange with no central authority.
DYOR
Do Your Own Research — a reminder to investigate before investing.
Forex
Foreign Exchange — the global market for trading national currencies against each other.
Gas Fees
Transaction fees paid to validators on a blockchain network (mainly Ethereum).
HODL
Hold On for Dear Life — a strategy of holding crypto long-term regardless of price swings.
Leverage
Using borrowed funds to increase potential returns (and risks) on a trade.
Liquidity
How easily an asset can be bought or sold without significantly affecting its price.
Market Cap
Total value of a cryptocurrency: current price × circulating supply.
NFT
Non-Fungible Token — a unique digital asset stored on a blockchain.
Pip
The smallest price movement in forex trading, typically 0.0001 for most currency pairs.
Spread
The difference between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price of an asset.
Stablecoin
A cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset like the US Dollar (e.g., USDT, USDC).
Staking
Locking up crypto to support network operations and earn rewards.
Stop-Loss
An order to automatically sell an asset when it reaches a specified price to limit losses.
Wallet
A tool (software or hardware) for storing, sending, and receiving cryptocurrency.
Whale
An individual or entity that holds a very large amount of cryptocurrency.
Yield Farming
Earning rewards by providing liquidity to DeFi protocols.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Try the Beginner guides for a wider walkthrough.