Glossary
The list of basic concepts and terms
a
AAVE
Aave is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that allows users to lend and borrow cryptocurrencies without the need for intermediaries like banks. It’s built on the Ethereum blockchain and offers a platform where users can earn interest on deposits and borrow assets in a decentralized manner.
Read moreADA
ADA is the native cryptocurrency token of the Cardano blockchain platform.
Read moreAddress
It is a unique string of characters for sending and receiving digital currencies.
Read moreAdvertisement
Advertisement represents an offer from a user to buy or sell cryptocurrency at a specific price, published on the exchange.
Read moreAirdrop
The distribution of cryptocurrency, tokens, or NFTs usually for free, as part of marketing campaigns or initiatives to attract new users or reward existing ones.
Read moreAirgap
A security measure used to isolate a computer from other networks, in cryptocurrencies, it can mean storing cryptocurrency on a device not connected to the Internet (cold storage).
Read moreAll-in-One
Cryptocurrency services offer a variety of functions such as trading, wallet, mining, and others.
Read moreAllocation
It refers to a strategy of diversifying investments across various digital assets.
Read moreAltcoin
Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, derived from "alternative coins."
Read moreAML
A series of legal frameworks and practices aimed at preventing the conversion of illicitly obtained funds into seemingly legitimate assets.
Read moreAPI
A set of rules defining how programs can interact with each other.
Read moreAppeal
In case of a dispute between the buyer and the seller, when the user wants the platform to act as an arbitrator, the disputing parties can file an appeal.
Read moreAPY
Considers the interests accrued quarterly, monthly, weekly, or daily.
Read moreArbitrage
The process of buying cryptocurrency on one exchange at a low price with the aim of selling it on another exchange at a higher price for profit.
Read moreASIC
A specialized device or integrated circuit created to solve a specific task, such as mining bitcoins.
Read moreAsset token
In the realm of cryptocurrency and blockchain, an asset token refers to a digital representation of a real or virtual asset. These tokens are typically built on a blockchain platform, often utilizing smart contracts to facilitate their creation, transfer, and management.
Read moreATH
ATH stands for All-Time High. This term refers to the highest price level that a cryptocurrency has ever reached in its trading history.
Read moreAtomic swap
Atomic swaps, or atomic cross-chain trading, is a technology that enables the exchange of one cryptocurrency for another without crypto exchanges.
Read moreAttack Vector
A method or pathway through which a malicious actor attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in a system for nefarious purposes.
Read moreAvalanche
Avalanche is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that aims to improve scalability, speed, and security in the blockchain ecosystem.
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b
Bear Market
A period where the prices of most cryptocurrencies are falling or are expected to fall for an extended time. This situation is marked by widespread pessimism and negative sentiment among investors.
Read moreBitcoin (BTC)
BTC is the most popular cryptocurrency. It uses a consensus mechanism called Proof of Work (PoW), where miners compete to confirm transactions and keep the network running.
Read moreBlock
A constituent unit in a blockchain containing records of conducted transactions, connected to other blocks in a sequential chain.
Read moreBlockchain
An ordered, continuous sequential chain of blocks containing information about transactions, serving as a public digital register of all transactions.
Read moreBlockchain explorer
A tool allowing users to view information about blocks, transactions, and addresses on the blockchain, helping track and verify blockchain activity.
Read moreBNB
Previously known as Binance Coin, BNB (Build and Build) was introduced in 2017 by the Binance cryptocurrency exchange as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain.
Read moreBubble
A market situation where the price of an asset significantly exceeds its intrinsic value, often leading to a sharp price decline.
Read moreBull Trap
A term in trading describing a situation when the market gives a false buy signal for an asset, but then reverses and prices start to fall.
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c
Candlestick Chart
A chart used for analyzing price movements in financial markets, displaying the opening, closing, high, and low prices of a security or cryptocurrency for a specified period.
Read moreCardano
Cardano (ADA) is a blockchain platform that is open-source and decentralized, employing a proof-of-stake protocol.
Read moreCBDC
Central Bank Digital Currency - a digital or virtual form of a country's currency issued by the central bank.
Read moreCentralized Exchange
A trading platform controlled by a single organization where users can trade cryptocurrencies.
Read moreCoin
A cryptocurrency coin, or a crypto coin, is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security.
Read moreCold Storage / Cold Wallet
A secure method or device for storing cryptocurrency offline, not connected to the internet, to protect it from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Read moreConsensus algorithm
A critical aspect of blockchain technology, providing a way to achieve agreement on a single data value among distributed processes or systems. They're essential for maintaining the integrity and security of distributed ledger technologies, including cryptocurrencies.
Read moreCrypto arbitrage
Crypto arbitrage is a trading strategy that exploits price discrepancies of the same cryptocurrency across different exchanges.
Read moreCrypto Exchange
A platform where users can trade cryptocurrencies and tokens and exchange them for fiat currencies.
Read moreCrypto Fear and Greed Index
Crypto Fear and Greed Index is a tool designed to gauge the overall sentiment of the cryptocurrency market. It provides what the market is experiencing.
Read moreCryptocurrency
Digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, with transactions recorded on a decentralized blockchain.
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d
DAO
Type of organization with no central governing bodies like a board of directors, where each participant is a co-owner with relationships regulated by smart contracts.
Read moreDApp
An open-source application with no single point of failure, operating on a decentralized network like a blockchain, and generating tokens using cryptographic algorithms.
Read moreDecentralization
A system where control or authority is distributed among many independent network participants.
Read moreDeFi
A term for financial services operating on blockchain, independent of centralized institutions and providing services using smart contracts.
Read moreDeflation
A reduction in the total amount of coins or money supply in circulation. In cryptocurrency, it may result from limited supply or coin burning.
Read moreDegen
It refers to those willing to take high risks for the potential of high rewards, engaging in speculative investments without thorough research or a clear understanding of the technology or project fundamentals.
Read moreDEX
A platform allowing direct cryptocurrency trades between users without a centralized intermediary, ensuring privacy and reduced counterparty risk.
Read moreDigital Art
Artistic or collectible assets created and stored digitally, often verified and traded on blockchain networks as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), representing ownership and authenticity.
Read moreDigital Asset
An asset in digital format, like cryptocurrencies, tokens, digital art, or other digital ownership rights recorded on a blockchain.
Read moreDigital Collectibles
Artistic or collectible assets created and stored digitally, often verified and traded on blockchain networks as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), representing ownership and authenticity.
Read moreDigital Signature
A cryptographic technique using a pair of keys to authenticate transactions and verify the sender's identity in digital communications.
Read moreDigital Wallet
Software or hardware stores cryptographic keys, enabling users to manage, send, and receive digital currency and monitor their balance.
Read moreDLT
A database distributed across multiple computers, with blockchain being a distributed ledger employing cryptography, peer-to-peer networks, and decentralized data storage.
Read moreDouble spending
Double spending is a critical issue in the field of digital currencies, referring to the risk that a digital currency can be spent twice.
Read moreDrop
Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for security and operate on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology. "Drop in crypto" could refer to various scenarios.
Read moreDump
A Dump typically refers to a situation where a large volume of a particular cryptocurrency is sold off quickly, causing a significant drop in its price. This can occur for various reasons
Read moreDYOR
An advisory acronym urging individuals to independently assess and analyze projects or investments for risks and validity before participating.
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e
ECDSA
Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm, is a cryptographic algorithm used extensively in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, particularly for securing transactions and ensuring the integrity and authenticity of data.
Read moreEconomic Attack
An attempt to destabilize a system's economy, possibly through price manipulation, creating fraudulent transactions, or other malicious financial activities.
Read moreEdelcoin (EDLC)
Edelcoin is a digital currency that is backed by precious and base metals available in reserves. The structure of the reserve allows one to minimize fluctuations in value, which makes it a stable tool for storing value.
Read moreEmission
The process of generating new units of a cryptocurrency, commonly through mining activities.
Read moreEncryption
Act of converting data into a coded form to prevent unauthorized access. End-to-end encryption ensures only the communicating sender and receiver can decode the message, excluding third-party access.
Read moreEquihash
A Proof-of-Work hashing algorithm utilized in some cryptocurrencies like ZCash and Bitcoin Gold, optimized for GPU mining for fairer distribution.
Read moreERC-20
A technical standard for creating and issuing tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring interoperability among tokens.
Read moreETF
An ETF, or Exchange-Traded Fund is a type of investment fund and exchange-traded product. Crypto ETFs aim to track the performance of a particular asset or an index of multiple assets.
Read moreEther
Ether is the smallest unit of the cryptocurrency Ethereum (ETH), a blockchain platform enabling the creation and execution of smart contracts.
Read moreEthereum (ETH)
Ethereum (ETH) is the second most popular cryptocurrency launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and his team.
Read moreEVM
A decentralized runtime environment is responsible for executing smart contracts. The EVM allows developers to create decentralized applications (dApps) on the Ethereum network.
Read moreExchange Token
Digital tokens issued by cryptocurrency exchanges. They serve various purposes and offer several benefits to their holders, primarily within the ecosystem of the issuing exchange.
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f
Farm
A collection of equipment dedicated to cryptocurrency mining, networked together to enhance computational power.
Read moreFiat Money
Currency issued by a government, recognized as legal tender, but not backed by a physical commodity like gold or silver.
Read moreFixed Price
Manually set price in an advertisement unaffected by market price fluctuations of cryptocurrency.
Read moreFloating Price
An advertisement price that adjusts with the market, updating periodically based on a specified margin percentage from the market rate.
Read moreFloor Price
The minimum set price for items within a collection, often applied to NFT (Non-Fungible Token) collections indicating the lowest price a token is being offered for.
Read moreFOMO
Refers to the anxious feeling that investors experience when they believe they might be missing out on a potentially lucrative investment or market trend.
Read moreFork
A modification in the base code of a cryptocurrency leading to the creation of two parallel versions of the blockchain.
Read moreFren
Fren in crypto is a slang term derived from the word "friend." It's often used in online communities to refer to members within the community.
Read moreFUD
It refers to "Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt." It is a strategy used to influence perception by spreading negative, misleading, or false information about cryptocurrencies.
Read moreFundamental Analysis
An analysis method examining fundamental aspects of a cryptocurrency like its technology, developer team, and usability.
Read moreFutures Contract
A contractual agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date.
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g
Gas Fees
A measure of computational effort in Ethereum, costing users for transaction processing or smart contract execution, with fees going to miners as compensation.
Read moreGas Limit
Maximum amount of gas a user is willing to spend on a transaction or a smart contract execution. Gas is a unit that measures the computational effort required to execute operations on the Ethereum network.
Read moreGasless Mining
Gasless mining is an innovative concept in cryptocurrency, aiming to address the high transaction fees associated with traditional mining methods.
Read moreGem
Certain tokens or projects are often called "gems." These gems are typically undervalued or underrecognized but hold significant potential for growth and development.
Read moreGenesis Block
The first block of a blockchain. It serves as the foundation of the entire blockchain system, anchoring all subsequent blocks added to the chain.
Read moreGlass
A trading feature displaying the volume of orders at various price points on exchanges.
Read moreGreylisting
A mechanism used to mitigate certain risks associated with transactions, particularly in the context of AML and CFT regulations.
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h
Hack
Unauthorized intrusion into a computer system or network with the intent of stealing, altering, or destroying data.
Read moreHalving
A pre-scheduled event in blockchain networks, where the reward for mining new blocks is halved, typically occurring every 210,000 blocks.
Read moreHamster
A colloquial term in the crypto community referring to inexperienced or novice traders who may make impulsive decisions based on market trends, often resulting in financial loss.
Read moreHard Fork
A type of blockchain update that creates a permanent divergence from the previous version, resulting in two incompatible blockchain networks.
Read moreHardware Wallet
A physical device that securely stores a user's private keys offline, providing a high level of security against online hacking attempts.
Read moreHashrate / Hash Rate
The speed at which a miner can perform hashing operations, measured in hashes per second. It reflects the computational power of mining equipment.
Read moreHODL
An intentional misspelling of "hold," for long-term holding of cryptocurrencies despite market volatility.
Read moreHot wallet
A hot wallet is a digital tool designed to manage and store cryptocurrencies while remaining connected to the internet.
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i
ICO
A fundraising mechanism where new cryptocurrencies or tokens are sold to investors to raise capital for a project.
Read moreIEO
The procedure of token placing, where fundraising occurs on a specific cryptocurrency exchange platform.
Read moreInternal Exchange Rate
An exchange rate used within a specific platform which may vary from the market rate, often set by the platform's own metrics or supply-demand dynamics.
Read moreInvestor
An investor in cryptocurrency is an individual or entity that allocates capital with the expectation of receiving a financial return through the acquisition and management of cryptocurrencies.
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k
Keylogger
Keyloggers, a surveillance software, are designed to record keystrokes on a device.
Read moreKeys
The pair of keys, which underpins blockchain technology, ensuring secure transactions and ownership of assets.
Read moreKYC
Know Your Customer - a process used by financial institutions and other companies to verify the identities of their clients. The aim is to prevent fraud, money laundering, and other illicit activities.
Read moreKYT
Know Your Transaction - is a compliance and risk management process used primarily in the financial sector, including by banks and cryptocurrency businesses.
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l
Lambo
Lambo is a symbol of extravagant wealth and success. It stems from the aspiration of many early cryptocurrency enthusiasts to buy a Lamborghini.
Read moreLayer 0
Layer 0 in cryptocurrency refers to the fundamental infrastructure beneath blockchain networks, designed to enable cross-chain interoperability, scalability, and the development of customizable blockchain ecosystems.
Read moreLayer 1
Layer 1 is the base layer of a blockchain network, which is responsible for fundamental processes like transaction validation, consensus mechanisms, and security.
Read moreLayer 2
Layer 2 solutions are pivotal for scaling blockchain networks, facilitating faster and cheaper transactions off the main chain while ensuring security.
Read moreLedger
There are a few meanings of Ledger. It is a hardware wallet, that is a popular choice among crypto enthusiasts, it is a Distributed Ledger Technology or a Consensus Mechanism.
Read moreLightning Network
Lightning Network is a second-layer payment protocol designed to be layered on top of a blockchain-based cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.
Read moreLimit Order
A type of order to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a specific price or better.
Read moreLINK
Chainlink (LINK) is a decentralized oracle network that is crucial in bridging blockchain technology with real-world data.
Read moreLiquidity
Liquidity is a crucial aspect of trading, determining the ease with which assets can be traded.
Read moreListing
Listing of cryptocurrencies or NFTs on exchanges or marketplaces is a significant step, allowing for the trading and valuation of these digital assets.
Read moreLitecoin
Litecoin (LTC) is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency. It is similar to Bitcoin, with some key differences aimed at improving usability and transaction speed.
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m
Margin Trading
This high-risk, high-reward trading strategy is important for advanced traders looking to leverage their positions for potential higher gains.
Read moreMATIC
MATIC is the native token of Polygon (previously known as the Matic Network), a scaling solution designed to provide multiple tools to improve the speed and reduce the cost and complexities of transactions on blockchain networks, most notably Ethereum.
Read moreMaximum Supply
The maximum supply refers to the total number of coins or tokens that will ever be created or mined. This figure is predetermined by the cryptocurrency's protocol.
Read moreMempool
Mempool (short for "memory pool") is a crucial component that plays a significant role in the processing of transactions.
Read moreMetaMask
MetaMask is a widely-used cryptocurrency wallet and gateway to blockchain applications, specifically designed to facilitate interactions with the Ethereum blockchain and other Ethereum-compatible networks.
Read moreMiner
A miner in cryptocurrency is a participant in a blockchain network who validates and records transactions by solving complex cryptographic puzzles. This process is known as mining.
Read moreMining
A process of validating transactions and adding them to a blockchain ledger. It involves solving complex mathematical problems, and miners are rewarded with tokens.
Read moreMining pool
A cryptocurrency mining pool is a collective of miners who combine their computational resources over a network to strengthen their chances of successfully mining a block.
Read moreMint
The minting process of a token, coin, or creation and circulation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), representing unique digital assets on the blockchain.
Read moreMobile wallet
Same as Wallet
Read moreMonero
Monero (XMR) is a cryptocurrency that places a strong emphasis on privacy and decentralization.
Read moreMonetary policy
Cryptocurrencies are governed by rules embedded in blockchain protocols. They determine the supply, distribution mechanisms.
Read moreMoney hold
Holding money in cryptocurrency involves keeping your funds in digital currencies rather than traditional fiat currencies like USD, EUR, or JPY.
Read moreMultisignature
A security feature that requires multiple private keys to authorize a transaction, enhancing security by distributing control over digital assets.
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n
o
Oracle
A mechanism providing smart contracts with external information, utilized for obtaining data on prices, weather, or other external events affecting smart contract conditions.
Read moreOrder Book
A list of open orders on an exchange, displaying current buying and selling offers, aiding traders in assessing market liquidity and making informed trading decisions.
Read moreOTC
Over-the-counter (OTC) trading in cryptocurrency is a method of trading digital currencies directly between two parties, outside of regular exchanges.
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p
P2P
Direct trade of cryptocurrency and fiat assets between buyers and sellers through an online platform.
Read morePaper Wallet
A paper wallet in cryptocurrency is a physical document containing a public address for receiving digital assets and a private key, which allows you to access and spend those assets.
Read morePepe
Pepe Coin (PEPE) is a meme coin, often created for fun or to capture the spirit of internet memes rather than to provide any functional utility.
Read morePhishing
Phishing is fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as private keys, wallet passwords, or other credentials, by pretending to be trustworthy in electronic communications.
Read morePlay-to-Earn
The world of gaming has evolved dramatically over the past few years, with the advent of blockchain technology bringing a new paradigm to the industry: Play-to-Earn (P2E).
Read morePolkadot
Polkadot is a multi-chain blockchain platform designed to enable different blockchains to interoperate and share information securely.
Read morePolygon
Polygon, formerly Matic Network, is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that enhances scalability and reduces transaction costs. It uses side chains and PoS to provide fast, secure, and low-cost transactions.
Read morePonzi scheme
Ponzi schemes often leverage the allure of new, high-return investments in digital currencies to attract unsuspecting participants.
Read morePoO
Proof of ownership refers to the mechanisms and technologies that demonstrate an individual's control over a particular digital asset.
Read morePoS
An alternative to PoW for recording a block in the blockchain, with reward probability proportional to a user's system share.
Read morePoW
Proof of work is an algorithm determining which mining nodes will record the formed block in the blockchain.
Read morePrivate blockchain
A private blockchain, or permissioned blockchain, is a network with restricted access to specific individuals or organizations. Unlike public blockchains like Bitcoin or Ethereum, where anyone can participate in network activities, private blockchains require an invitation.
Read morePrivate Key
A unique code for accessing cryptocurrencies in a wallet.
Read morePublic Key
A key for encrypting data, reversible with the corresponding private key.
Read morePump & Dump
A scheme of artificially inflating an asset's price to attract attention, then selling it off when others start buying.
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r
s
SAFU
SAFU is a popular term originating from a misspelling of "safe."
Read moreShitcoin
A derogatory term for a cryptocurrency with little to no value, often lacking solid fundamentals, clear use cases, or ongoing development. These coins are typically seen as poor investments and are sometimes involved in pump-and-dump schemes.
Read moreSmart contract
A smart contract is a self-executing contract with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code.
Read moreSOL
SOL is the native cryptocurrency of the Solana blockchain, a high-performance decentralized network designed to enable scalable and user-friendly applications.
Read moreStablecoin
Stablecoins represent a unique segment within the digital currency world, crafted to ensure that the volatility often associated with cryptocurrencies is minimized.
Read moreStaking
Staking has become a popular concept in the cryptocurrency world, offering a way for investors to earn rewards while supporting the security and operations of blockchain networks.
Read moreSwap
Crypto swaps are a fundamental aspect of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, providing users with the ability to easily exchange one cryptocurrency for another.
Read more
t
Token
A digital asset managed by a platform for various system-specific purposes.
Read moreTokenization
A process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token on a blockchain. This concept includes various forms of assets, ranging from real estate and metals to financial instruments.
Read moreTokenomics
Economics of a token, from inception to distribution and interaction mechanics.
Read moreTON
The Open Network (TON) is a next-generation blockchain platform originally created by Telegram to support a variety of decentralized services and applications. It’s designed to be fast, scalable, and user-friendly, making it accessible for both developers and everyday users.
Read moreTrading
Buying and selling cryptocurrencies aiming for profit.
Read moreTrading Bot
An automated software executing trading operations based on preset parameters.
Read moreTransaction
Process of transferring cryptocurrency from one account (or address) to another within a blockchain network.
Read moreTransaction Fee
A payment made by users to compensate for the computing energy required to process and validate transactions on the blockchain network.
Read moreTransaction ID
A transaction ID (TXID) in cryptocurrency is a unique identifier generated whenever a cryptocurrency transaction is performed.
Read moreTrezor
A popular brand of hardware (cold) wallet for storing cryptocurrencies. It provides high security for managing and storing cryptocurrencies.
Read moreTron
Tron (TRX) is a decentralized blockchain platform that aims to build a free, global digital content entertainment system using distributed storage technology.
Read moreTXID
A transaction ID (TXID) in cryptocurrency is a unique identifier generated whenever a cryptocurrency transaction is performed.
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u
Uniswap
Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain. Users can trade Ethereum-based tokens directly from their wallets without a centralized intermediary.
Read moreUSDC
USDC is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar with a stable value of 1:1. It was launched by Circle and Coinbase in 2018.
Read moreUSDT
USDT is a USD-linked stablecoin launched in 2014 by Tether Limited Inc. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value relative to a reserve asset, such as a fiat currency.
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v
w
Wallet
An application or device for storing, sending, and receiving cryptocurrencies.
Read moreWeb Wallet
A wallet that stores a user's private keys on a server online and provides access to them through a web interface.
Read moreWhale
A major market participant with a significant amount of an asset, capable of influencing its price. A trader, platform user, or collector who makes large deals. Whales can manipulate the NFT market.
Read moreWhitelist
A list of addresses allowed to participate in a certain event, like an ICO. This is also a list of people admitted to the sale (purchase) of coins at an early stage of development of a particular project.
Read moreWhitepaper
A document that describes the mechanism of a cryptocurrency project, usually contains information about the technology, algorithms, and business plan of the project.
Read moreWithdrawal fee
Charges are applied when you transfer cryptocurrency from one place to another, such as from a cryptocurrency exchange to a private wallet or another exchange.
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