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Actively Validated Services (AVS)
Actively Validated Services represent an emerging paradigm in the blockchain ecosystem, where Ethereum's existing validator network is employed to secure and validate third-party decentralized applications. This approach proposes that validators can "restake" their staked Ether ($ETH) to support additional services, thereby enhancing security without requiring these
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a financial metric that represents the yearly interest rate earned or paid on an investment, without accounting for compounding. In crypto and DeFi, APR is commonly used to show the base return on staking, lending, or liquidity provision over the course of one year, assuming
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
APY (Annual Percentage Yield) is a metric used in DeFi and traditional finance to express the real rate of return on an investment or yield-bearing product over the course of one year, accounting for compound interest. In crypto, APY reflects the amount a user can earn by staking, lending, or
Appchain
An Appchain (Application-Specific Blockchain) is a customized blockchain designed to serve a single application or ecosystem rather than supporting multiple decentralized applications (dApps) like general-purpose blockchains (e.g., Ethereum or Solana). Appchains provide greater flexibility, scalability, and security customization, allowing developers to optimize blockchain functionality for specific use cases such
Arbitrage
Arbitrage is a trading strategy that involves buying an asset at a lower price on one platform and selling it at a higher price on another, profiting from the price difference. In crypto, arbitrage opportunities exist due to market inefficiencies across centralized exchanges (CEXs), decentralized exchanges (DEXs), or across different
Arbitrum
Arbitrum is a leading layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, launched in August 2021 by Offchain Labs, aimed at enhancing transaction speed and affordability while leveraging Ethereum’s security. Built on optimistic rollup technology, Arbitrum processes transactions off-chain and submits compressed proofs to Ethereum’s layer-1, achieving high throughput and low
Automated Market Maker (AMM)
Automated Market Makers (AMMs) are decentralized protocols that facilitate cryptocurrency trading without traditional order books or centralized intermediaries. Instead of matching buyers and sellers, AMMs rely on smart contracts and liquidity pools to execute trades algorithmically. These pools use mathematical formulas to determine asset prices based on the ratio of
Avalanche
Avalanche is a layer-1 blockchain platform launched in September 2020. Designed for high scalability and speed, it uses a unique consensus mechanism, Avalanche Consensus, to process up to 4,500 transactions per second (TPS) with near-instant finality—often under two seconds. Its architecture features three interoperable chains: the X-Chain for
AVAX
AVAX is the native cryptocurrency of the Avalanche blockchain, a layer-1 platform launched by Ava Labs in September 2020. Introduced during Avalanche’s mainnet debut, AVAX serves as the fuel for transactions, staking, and governance within the network’s ecosystem. The total supply is capped at 720 million tokens. Avalanche
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Babylon
Babylon is a decentralized protocol designed to enhance Bitcoin’s utility by integrating it with the broader decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. It enables Bitcoin holders to stake their assets in a non-custodial manner, earning yield and participating in DeFi activities. By leveraging Bitcoin's Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus as an
Babylon Airdrop
The Babylon Airdrop refers to the distribution of tokens by the Babylon protocol to reward early supporters, community contributors, and stakers within its ecosystem. Airdrops are a popular strategy in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain ecosystems to foster user engagement, promote adoption, and ensure fair distribution of governance tokens. By
Bear Market
A bear market is a prolonged period of declining asset prices, negative sentiment, and reduced investor confidence. In crypto, bear markets are characterized by sharp drawdowns, low trading volume, and widespread pessimism across communities and media. They often follow bull markets and can last for months or even years. Bear
Berachain Airdrop
The Berachain Airdrop was a token distribution event that took place on February 6, 2025, following the launch of Berachain's mainnet. A total of 79 million BERA tokens (15.8% of the total supply) were allocated to eligible users, including testnet participants, ecosystem contributors, and certain NFT holders.
Bitcoin Staking
Bitcoin staking refers to the process of locking or delegating Bitcoin (BTC) in a protocol to earn rewards. Unlike proof-of-stake (PoS) systems, Bitcoin operates on a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism, meaning it does not natively support staking as part of its blockchain protocol. However, Bitcoin staking has emerged as an
Block Explorer
A block explorer is a searchable interface that allows users to view real-time and historical data on a blockchain. It displays detailed information about blocks, transactions, wallet addresses, smart contracts, and network activity. Block explorers are essential tools for transparency, auditing, and understanding how blockchain networks operate. Popular block explorers
Blockchain
A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers in a secure, immutable, and transparent manner. Each record, or “block,” contains a list of transactions, and these blocks are chronologically linked together to form a “chain.” This structure ensures that once data is
BRC-20
BRC-20 is a token standard designed for Bitcoin, enabling the creation, transfer, and management of fungible tokens directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. While conceptually inspired by Ethereum's popular ERC-20 standard, BRC-20 operates fundamentally differently due to Bitcoin's lack of native smart contract functionality. It utilizes Ordinals
Bull Market
A bull market is a prolonged period of rising asset prices, strong investor confidence, and positive market sentiment. In crypto, a bull market is often marked by rapid price increases, increased trading volume, and widespread excitement around tokens, NFTs, and Web3 projects. Bull markets attract new participants and drive innovation,
Burn Mechanism
A burn mechanism is a process used in blockchain protocols to permanently remove tokens from circulation, reducing the total supply. This is typically done by sending tokens to an irretrievable address known as a burn address, from which they can never be recovered. Burn mechanisms are a fundamental feature of
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Celestia Airdrop
The Celestia Airdrop, known as the Genesis Drop, was a distribution of Celestia’s native tokens ($TIA) to eligible participants, aiming to incentivize engagement and reward early supporters within the ecosystem. A total of 60 million TIA tokens, representing 6% of the total supply, were allocated for this purpose. Eligibility
Centralized Exchange (CEX)
CEX (Centralized Exchange) is a platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies through a centralized intermediary. Unlike decentralized exchanges (DEXs), CEXs are operated by companies that custody user funds, manage the trading infrastructure, and often comply with regulatory requirements such as KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML
Chain Abstraction
Chain Abstraction refers to a blockchain infrastructure design that allows users and developers to interact with multiple blockchains seamlessly without needing to understand or manually manage network differences. It enables cross-chain interoperability, unified liquidity, and frictionless user experience by abstracting the complexities of different blockchain networks into a single, simplified
Circulating Supply
Circulating supply refers to the number of cryptocurrency tokens or coins that are currently available to the public and actively circulating in the market. It includes all tokens that can be traded, staked, or transferred — excluding those that are locked, reserved, or burned. This is the most commonly used supply
Cold Wallet
A cold wallet is a type of cryptocurrency wallet that stores private keys completely offline, making it one of the most secure ways to hold digital assets. Unlike hot wallets, cold wallets are not connected to the internet, which drastically reduces the risk of hacks, malware, or unauthorized access. They
Collective Liquidity Provision
Collective Liquidity Provision is a foundational concept in decentralized finance (DeFi), enabling multiple participants to contribute assets to shared liquidity pools. This collaborative approach enhances capital efficiency, reduces liquidity fragmentation, and facilitates decentralized trading, lending, and staking. Unlike individual liquidity provision, where a single entity supplies liquidity to a specific
Cosmos
Cosmos is a decentralized network of interoperable and scalable blockchains built using the Cosmos SDK and the Tendermint consensus mechanism. Known as the "Internet of Blockchains," Cosmos enables independent blockchains to communicate, exchange data, and transfer assets seamlessly through its Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. This architecture empowers developers
Cross Chain Yield
Cross-chain yield refers to the process of earning returns on cryptocurrency assets by leveraging decentralized finance (DeFi) opportunities across multiple blockchain networks. Unlike traditional yield generation confined to a single blockchain, cross-chain yield strategies utilize interoperability between different blockchains to maximize returns, improve capital efficiency, and diversify risk. This concept
Cross-Chain Bridge
A cross-chain bridge is a protocol or application that enables the transfer of assets, data, or information between distinct blockchain networks. Blockchains operate as isolated systems with unique rules, programming languages, and consensus mechanisms, making native interoperability impossible without external solutions. Cross-chain bridges address this by acting as connectors, allowing
Cross-Chain Liquidity
Cross-Chain Liquidity refers to the ability to seamlessly move and utilize liquidity across multiple blockchain networks. This allows users to trade, stake, lend, and borrow assets across different ecosystems without relying on centralized exchanges or wrapped tokens. By enabling interoperability between blockchains, cross-chain liquidity ensures that capital is not fragmented
Custodial Wallet
A custodial wallet is a type of cryptocurrency wallet in which a third party — typically an exchange, fintech platform, or wallet provider — holds and manages the user’s private keys on their behalf. Users access their funds through a standard login interface, similar to online banking, but they do not
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DAO
A DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) is a blockchain-based governance system that allows communities, protocols, or treasuries to be managed collectively by token holders, without centralized leadership. DAOs operate through smart contracts that define voting rules, proposal structures, and treasury control, enabling trustless, transparent, and community-driven decision-making. DAOs are a core
Decentralized Exchange (DEX)
DEX (Decentralized Exchange) is a blockchain-based platform that allows users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with one another without relying on a centralized intermediary. DEXs operate through smart contracts, enabling peer-to-peer asset swaps in a non-custodial and trustless manner. Unlike CEXs, users always retain control of their private keys and funds.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) refers to a financial ecosystem built on blockchain technology that operates without traditional intermediaries such as banks or centralized financial institutions. DeFi platforms leverage smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements running on decentralized networks like Ethereum, to facilitate financial services such as lending, borrowing, trading, and earning
DeFi Lending
DeFi lending, or decentralized finance lending, refers to blockchain-based platforms that allow users to lend and borrow cryptocurrencies without relying on traditional financial institutions. These platforms operate through smart contracts—self-executing programs on blockchain networks—that automate loan issuance, interest distribution, and collateral management. By removing intermediaries like banks, DeFi
Deflationary Token
A deflationary token is a type of cryptocurrency designed to decrease in total supply over time. This reduction is typically achieved through mechanisms such as token burns, buybacks, or automated supply reductions embedded in smart contracts. The goal of a deflationary model is to increase scarcity, potentially driving long-term value
Dexscreener
Dexscreener is a prominent real-time analytics platform designed to track and visualize token performance across decentralized exchanges (DEXs). It aggregates data from dozens of blockchain networks—such as Ethereum, Solana, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), and Arbitrum—delivering live price charts, trading volumes, liquidity metrics, and on-chain transaction data through a
Digital Identity
Digital identity is the representation of an individual, organization, or entity in the digital world. It includes data such as usernames, wallet addresses, social profiles, credentials, activity history, and reputation that collectively define someone’s presence and trustworthiness online. In the context of Web3, digital identity is decentralized, self-sovereign, and
Do Your Own Research (DYOR)
DYOR stands for Do Your Own Research — a common phrase in crypto that encourages individuals to independently investigate a project, token, or investment before putting money into it. In a fast-paced and often speculative market like Web3, DYOR is a key principle for avoiding scams, hype traps, and uninformed decisions.
Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)
DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) is an investment strategy where a fixed amount of capital is invested into an asset at regular intervals, regardless of its price. Instead of trying to time the market, DCA helps reduce the impact of volatility by spreading out purchases over time. It’s a popular strategy
Dump
A dump is a sharp and sudden drop in the price of a crypto asset, typically caused by large-scale selling. Dumps can occur naturally due to profit-taking, negative news, or market corrections — but are often part of coordinated pump-and-dump schemes, where insiders inflate the price and then offload their tokens,
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Ecosystem Owned Liquidity (EOL)
Ecosystem-Owned Liquidity (EOL) is a decentralized liquidity model pioneered by protocols like Mitosis, where liquidity is collectively managed and owned by the protocol’s ecosystem rather than individual liquidity providers or centralized entities. This approach aligns incentives between protocols and their participants, creating a sustainable, transparent, and market-driven framework for
Eigenlayer
EigenLayer introduces the concept of restaking, a mechanism that maximizes the utility of staked $ETH by allowing validators and delegators to simultaneously secure multiple networks. Traditionally, staked assets are locked into a single blockchain or protocol, limiting their usability. EigenLayer changes this by enabling participants in Ethereum's proof-of-stake
ERC-1155
ERC-1155 is a multi-token standard on Ethereum that allows a single smart contract to manage both fungible and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Introduced by Enjin and standardized through EIP-1155, it provides a more efficient and flexible alternative to earlier standards like ERC-20 and ERC-721. ERC-1155 is widely used in gaming, metaverse,
ERC-20
ERC-20 is a technical standard for tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, introduced in November 2015 by Fabian Vogelsteller and Vitalik Buterin via Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 20. It defines a set of rules and functions that allow tokens to be created, transferred, and managed consistently within Ethereum’s ecosystem. As
ERC-721
ERC-721 is a widely adopted Ethereum token standard that enables the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) — unique digital assets that represent ownership of individual items on the blockchain. Each ERC-721 token is distinct, with its own identifier and metadata, making it ideal for use cases such as digital art, collectibles,
Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is a decentralized, runtime environment that executes smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) on the Ethereum blockchain and compatible networks. The EVM acts as the computational engine for Ethereum, processing transactions, executing code, and maintaining the state of the blockchain in a secure and decentralized
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Fair Market Liquidity
Fair Market Liquidity refers to the availability of assets for trading or transactions in a decentralized finance (DeFi) or traditional financial market, where liquidity is distributed and priced in a way that reflects market conditions without distortion from external factors such as manipulation or concentrated ownership. It ensures that participants
Farming
Farming, also known as yield farming, is a DeFi strategy where users earn rewards by providing liquidity or staking assets in decentralized protocols. In return for locking up tokens, users receive yields typically paid in the protocol’s native tokens or other incentives. Farming became popular with the rise of
Faucet
A faucet is a tool or website that provides free tokens, typically on a testnet, to help users and developers interact with blockchain networks without using real funds. Faucets are commonly used during development, testing, or onboarding to simulate transactions, deploy smart contracts, and explore blockchain features in a risk-free
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a psychological phenomenon where investors feel pressured to buy an asset because they fear missing a profitable opportunity. In crypto, FOMO often occurs during rapid price increases, viral token launches, or hype-driven market movements, leading to emotional and impulsive buying decisions. FOMO is one
Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD)
FUD FUD stands for Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt — a term used in crypto to describe negative information or sentiment (real or fake) that spreads anxiety among investors. FUD can cause panic selling, slow adoption, or damage the reputation of a project, even when the claims are exaggerated or false. It’
Fork
A fork in blockchain refers to a divergence in the blockchain’s history, where the network splits into two separate paths. Forks occur when nodes no longer agree on the current state of the ledger or the rules that define valid blocks. They can be used to implement upgrades, fix
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Gas Fee
A gas fee is the transaction cost users pay to execute operations on a blockchain network, such as sending tokens, interacting with smart contracts, or minting NFTs. It compensates network validators or miners for the computational resources required to process and secure transactions. Gas fees are especially relevant on networks
Gas Token
A gas token is the native cryptocurrency used to pay for transaction fees on a blockchain network. It powers the execution of operations like sending assets, deploying smart contracts, and interacting with decentralized applications. Without gas tokens, users wouldn’t be able to interact with the network, as they are
Genesis Block
The genesis block is the very first block of a blockchain, from which all subsequent blocks are built. It serves as the foundation of the blockchain ledger, containing hardcoded parameters that define the network’s initial state — such as the first set of transactions, protocol rules, and token distributions. The
Governance
Governance in Web3 refers to the process by which decentralized protocols, DAOs, and blockchain ecosystems make collective decisions about upgrades, treasury allocations, parameter changes, and other protocol-level actions. Governance replaces centralized leadership with token-based, transparent, and community-driven mechanisms — often enforced by smart contracts. Effective governance is critical for maintaining trust,
Governance Token
A governance token is a type of cryptocurrency that grants holders the right to participate in the decision-making process of a blockchain protocol, decentralized application (dApp), or decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). These tokens enable decentralized governance by allowing users to propose, vote on, and implement changes to protocol rules, treasury
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Halving
Halving is a programmed event in certain blockchain protocols — most notably Bitcoin — that reduces the block reward for miners by 50%. It occurs at regular intervals and is designed to control inflation, reduce the issuance of new coins, and ensure scarcity over time. Halvings are often seen as bullish events
Hard Fork
A hard fork is a permanent and backward-incompatible change to a blockchain’s protocol that creates a new version of the network. When a hard fork occurs, the blockchain splits into two distinct chains — one following the old rules, and the other following the updated rules. Nodes that do not
Hardware Wallet
A hardware wallet is a physical device designed to securely store the private keys of a cryptocurrency wallet offline. It enables users to manage their digital assets without exposing sensitive information to internet-connected devices, making it one of the most secure methods for crypto storage. Hardware wallets are a type
HODL
HODL is a popular slang term in the crypto community that means to hold onto your assets long-term instead of selling, especially during market volatility. Originally a misspelling of “hold” in a 2013 Bitcoin forum post, it has since become a meme and rallying cry for long-term conviction in crypto.
Hot Wallet
A hot wallet is a cryptocurrency wallet that is connected to the internet and used for storing, sending, and receiving digital assets in real time. Hot wallets are ideal for frequent transactions and everyday use, as they offer convenience, speed, and accessibility. However, because they are online, they are also
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Inflationary Token
An inflationary token is a type of cryptocurrency whose total supply increases over time, typically through mechanisms like block rewards, staking emissions, or protocol-based incentives. This model is designed to reward network participants, bootstrap growth, or fund ongoing development. Unlike deflationary tokens that reduce supply, inflationary tokens continuously introduce new
Interoperability
Interoperability in blockchain refers to the ability of different blockchain networks to communicate, share data, and transfer assets seamlessly. It allows users, smart contracts, and dApps on one blockchain to interact with those on another, breaking down the silos between isolated ecosystems. Interoperability is key to creating a more connected,
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Layer 1
Layer 1 refers to the foundational blockchain network that serves as the infrastructure for decentralized applications (dApps) and Layer 2 solutions. It directly manages core blockchain functions such as transaction validation, consensus, data availability, and execution of smart contracts. Prominent examples of Layer 1 blockchains include Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, and
Layer 2
Layer 2 refers to blockchain protocols built on top of Layer 1 networks to enhance scalability, reduce transaction costs, and improve efficiency while leveraging the security of the underlying Layer 1 blockchain. Layer 2 solutions process transactions off-chain or in parallel and submit proofs or summaries back to the Layer
LayerZero
LayerZero is an omnichain interoperability protocol designed to enable seamless communication and interaction between multiple blockchains. By providing a decentralized messaging layer, LayerZero allows blockchains to exchange data, assets, and messages securely and efficiently, fostering interoperability across otherwise isolated ecosystems. LayerZero’s unique architecture is built to ensure security, scalability,
Lending Protocol
A lending protocol is a decentralized application (dApp) that allows users to lend and borrow crypto assets without intermediaries. Built on smart contracts, these protocols enable trustless lending markets where users earn interest by supplying liquidity, while others borrow assets by providing collateral. Lending protocols are a foundational component of
Limit Order
A limit order is a type of trade instruction that allows users to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a specific price or better. Unlike a market order, which executes immediately at the best available price, a limit order only executes when the market reaches the user-defined price level. This
Linea Token (LINEA)
The Linea Token, denoted as LINEA, is the forthcoming native token of the Linea network, a zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM) layer-2 blockchain developed by ConsenSys. Scheduled for launch via a Token Generation Event (TGE) initially targeted for Q1 2025, LINEA aims to facilitate community-driven governance and support the ecosystem’
Liquid Restaking
Liquid Restaking is a blockchain mechanism that allows users to extend the utility of their staked assets by restaking them across multiple protocols while maintaining liquidity. Unlike traditional staking, where assets are locked and unusable until the staking period ends, liquid restaking enables users to earn rewards while simultaneously using
Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRT)
Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRT) are tokenized representations of staked assets that enable users to extend the utility of their staked cryptocurrency across multiple protocols or blockchain networks. Built on the concept of restaking, LRTs allow staked assets to serve additional purposes, such as securing other protocols, participating in decentralized finance
Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSDs)
Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSDs) are tokenized representations of staked assets that allow users to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity. Unlike traditional staking, where assets are locked and inaccessible for a set period, LSDs provide a liquid alternative, enabling users to trade, lend, or use staked assets in decentralized finance
Liquid Staking Token (LST)
Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) are tokenized representations of staked assets in blockchain networks, enabling users to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity. Traditionally, staked assets are locked and inaccessible for a specified period. LSTs solve this limitation by allowing staked tokens to remain usable in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications such
Liquidation
Liquidation is the process of forcibly selling a borrower's collateral in a lending protocol when its value falls below a required threshold. It ensures that the protocol remains solvent and that lenders are protected from losses. Liquidation occurs automatically through smart contracts and is a critical component of
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to how easily and quickly an asset can be bought or sold without causing significant price changes. In crypto, liquidity is crucial for smooth trading, efficient price discovery, and low slippage. High liquidity means there’s a large number of buyers and sellers, while low liquidity means trades
Liquidity Pool
A liquidity pool is a collection of cryptocurrency tokens locked in a smart contract to facilitate decentralized finance (DeFi) activities such as trading, lending, and yield farming. These pools replace traditional order books or intermediaries by using automated market makers (AMMs) to enable transactions. Liquidity pools are fundamental to decentralized
Liquidity Provider Yield (LP Yield)
LP Yield refers to the earnings generated by Liquidity Providers (LPs) who deposit assets into liquidity pools on decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. LPs earn yield in the form of trading fees, incentive rewards, governance tokens, or staking yields, depending on the protocol. LP yield is a key driver of capital
Liquidity Provision
Liquidity provision is the process of supplying cryptocurrency or other digital assets to liquidity pools or protocols in decentralized finance (DeFi) to enable seamless trading, lending, or other financial activities. This mechanism is fundamental to the functionality of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), automated market makers (AMMs), and lending platforms, ensuring that
Lock-Up Period
A lock-up period refers to a predetermined amount of time during which tokens cannot be transferred, traded, or withdrawn. It is commonly used in staking, vesting, liquidity mining, and token launch strategies to encourage long-term commitment, reduce sell pressure, and align incentives between users and the protocol. Lock-up periods are
Lombard
Lombard is a platform designed to enhance Bitcoin's utility by integrating it into the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. It allows Bitcoin holders to unlock the value of their assets through mechanisms like liquid staking, yield generation, and participation in DeFi activities—without requiring them to sell their Bitcoin.
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maAssets
maAssets are liquid, yield-bearing tokens issued within Mitosis Matrix Vaults, representing a liquidity provider’s staked position and entitlements in the ecosystem. These assets enable participants to earn rewards, retain liquidity, and optimize capital efficiency while contributing to decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Unlike standard liquidity pool tokens, maAssets incorporate programmable
Mainnet
A mainnet is the live, fully operational version of a blockchain network where real assets and transactions occur. Unlike testnets, which are used for experimentation, the mainnet processes actual value transfers, supports deployed smart contracts, and maintains the official state of the network. It represents the final production environment after
Market Cap
Market cap (market capitalization) is a metric used to measure the total value of a cryptocurrency. It is calculated by multiplying the current price of a token by its circulating supply. Market cap is one of the most commonly used indicators to rank and compare crypto assets, assess project size,
Market Order
A market order is a type of trade that executes immediately at the best available price in the market. It is the fastest and simplest way to buy or sell a cryptocurrency, as it prioritizes speed over price precision. Market orders are ideal when users want to enter or exit
Matrix Vaults
Matrix Vaults are specialized smart contracts within the Mitosis protocol that facilitate direct interactions between liquidity providers and DeFi protocols seeking liquidity. Unlike traditional liquidity pools that often rely on short-term incentives and can suffer from "mercenary" capital—where liquidity swiftly exits once incentives diminish—Matrix Vaults promote
Max Supply
Max supply refers to the maximum number of tokens or coins that will ever exist for a particular cryptocurrency. This cap is hardcoded into the token’s protocol or smart contract and represents the upper limit of the asset’s total issuance. Once the max supply is reached, no new
Memecoin
A memecoin is a cryptocurrency inspired by internet memes, humor, or pop culture, often created with little intrinsic utility beyond community engagement and speculative trading. Popularized by Dogecoin (launched 2013), memecoins like Shiba Inu, Pepe, and BONK have since exploded in popularity, driven by viral marketing, social media hype, and
MetaMask
MetaMask is a non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet and browser extension that allows users to manage their crypto assets, interact with decentralized applications (dApps), and explore the Web3 ecosystem. It supports Ethereum and other EVM-compatible networks, making it one of the most widely used gateways to DeFi, NFTs, and decentralized identity protocols.
miAssets
miAssets are yield-bearing tokens issued by the Mitosis protocol, representing a user’s share of liquidity deposited into Mitosis Vaults. These assets enable liquidity providers (LPs) to retain exposure to staked and restaked assets while earning cross-chain yield from decentralized finance (DeFi) strategies. Unlike traditional liquidity tokens, miAssets provide multi-layered
Miner
A miner is a participant in a blockchain network that uses computational power to validate transactions and add new blocks to the chain, typically in proof-of-work (PoW) systems. Miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles, and the first to solve it earns the right to add a new block and
Minting
Minting is the process of creating new tokens or digital assets on a blockchain. It refers to the initial generation and registration of a token’s existence on-chain, assigning it to a specific wallet address. Minting is most commonly associated with NFTs, but it also applies to the creation of
Mitosis
Mitosis is a decentralized protocol designed to optimize cross-chain liquidity and liquid restaking by enabling seamless movement of assets across multiple blockchain networks. It leverages programmable liquidity and modular blockchain architecture to enhance capital efficiency, ensuring liquidity is dynamically allocated where it is needed most. Mitosis acts as an interoperability
Mitosis Expedition
Mitosis Expedition is an initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRTs) and cross-chain liquidity by integrating Mitosis' modular blockchain infrastructure with decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems. It serves as a strategic campaign to introduce and expand multi-chain liquidity, ensuring efficient, scalable, and composable interactions between blockchain
Modular blockchain
Modular blockchains represent a new approach to building blockchain networks, offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency by decoupling essential tasks. In a traditional monolithic blockchain like Ethereum or Solana, the consensus (securing the network), data availability (ensuring transaction data is accessible), and execution (processing transactions and smart contracts) are tightly integrated.
Monolithic Blockchain
A monolithic blockchain is a blockchain architecture in which the core functions of consensus, data availability, and execution are tightly integrated into a single layer. This design, common in early blockchain systems, contrasts with modular blockchains, where these functions are separated into specialized layers for improved scalability and efficiency. In
Movement Airdrop
The Movement Airdrop is a token distribution strategy designed to reward users for participating in activity-based ecosystems, such as fitness, gaming, or decentralized applications (dApps). These airdrops incentivize users to engage in specific activities, such as physical movement, platform interactions, or community contributions, by distributing tokens as rewards. Movement airdrops
Movement Token
A Movement Token is a cryptocurrency or digital asset designed to incentivize, track, or reward specific actions or behaviors within an ecosystem, such as fitness, gaming, community engagement, or participation in decentralized finance (DeFi). These tokens are tied to measurable activities, encouraging users to contribute to the ecosystem while earning
Multichain Liquidity Provision (Multichain LP)
Multichain Liquidity Provision (Multichain LP) refers to the practice of supplying liquidity across multiple blockchain networks, enabling decentralized finance (DeFi) applications to facilitate seamless trading, lending, and yield farming across different ecosystems. Unlike traditional liquidity provision, which is often restricted to a single blockchain, multichain LP solutions distribute liquidity dynamically
Multisig
Multisig (short for multi-signature) is a cryptographic mechanism that requires multiple private keys to authorize a single blockchain transaction. It enhances the security and decentralization of wallet control by distributing signing authority among multiple parties or devices. Multisig is commonly used for organizational treasury management, joint custody of funds, and
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NFT Collection
An NFT collection is a curated group of individual non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that are related by theme, design, creator, or smart contract. Each token in a collection is unique, but all share a common identity or purpose — such as digital art series, profile picture (PFP) projects, in-game assets, or utility-based
Node
A node is any device that participates in a blockchain network by maintaining a copy of the ledger, validating transactions, and potentially contributing to consensus. Nodes form the backbone of decentralized networks, ensuring transparency, redundancy, and resistance to tampering or single points of failure. There are different types of nodes
Non-Custodial Wallet
A non-custodial wallet is a cryptocurrency wallet that gives users full control over their private keys and funds, without relying on a third party for custody. These wallets are a core component of self-sovereign finance and Web3, allowing individuals to store, send, and receive digital assets without needing permission or
Non-Fungible Token (NFT)
An NFT (non-fungible token) is a unique digital asset that represents ownership of a specific item, piece of content, or access right on a blockchain. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as ETH or BTC, which are fungible and interchangeable, each NFT is distinct and cannot be replicated or divided. NFTs are typically
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Off-Chain Data
Off-chain data refers to any information that exists outside of a blockchain. This includes data stored on centralized servers, cloud databases, APIs, or traditional web infrastructure. While blockchains provide transparency and immutability, they are not optimized for storing large or dynamic datasets — which is why off-chain data is often used
Omni-sourced yield
Omni-sourced yield refers to the generation of returns through decentralized finance (DeFi) strategies that leverage multiple sources or ecosystems simultaneously. This concept involves aggregating yield from a variety of platforms, protocols, or blockchains to optimize the overall return on assets. The "omni" in omni-sourced yield emphasizes the cross-platform
Omnichain
Omnichain refers to a blockchain infrastructure or protocol designed to enable seamless interoperability and communication across multiple blockchain networks. Unlike single-chain or cross-chain solutions, which focus on connecting two or more specific blockchains, omnichain systems aim to create a unified ecosystem where assets, data, and smart contracts can move freely
On-Chain Data
On-chain data refers to all information that is recorded directly on a blockchain network. This includes transactions, token transfers, smart contract interactions, wallet balances, NFT ownership, staking activity, and more. Because blockchains are transparent and immutable, on-chain data is permanently stored and publicly accessible, making it a foundational layer for
Ondo
Ondo refers to Ondo Finance, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform launched in 2021, and its native token, $ONDO, focused on tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) such as U.S. Treasuries and other financial instruments. Ondo Finance aims to bridge traditional finance (TradFi) and blockchain by offering tokenized products like OUSG (short-term
Optimistic Rollup
An optimistic rollup is a Layer 2 scaling solution that bundles multiple off-chain transactions into a single batch and posts them to a Layer 1 blockchain like Ethereum. It assumes all transactions are valid by default and only verifies them if someone challenges the result within a specified time — known
Oracle
An oracle is a system that feeds external data into a blockchain, allowing smart contracts to react to real-world events and off-chain information. Since blockchains are closed systems and cannot access data outside their network natively, oracles serve as trusted bridges between on-chain logic and off-chain reality. Oracles are critical
Order Book
An order book is a real-time, constantly updated list of buy and sell orders for a specific asset on a trading platform. It displays the prices and quantities that traders are willing to accept, forming the foundation of price discovery on centralized exchanges (CEXs) and some decentralized exchanges (DEXs). The
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Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
P2P (peer-to-peer) refers to a decentralized network model where participants, or “peers,” interact directly with each other without relying on centralized intermediaries. In crypto, P2P systems allow users to send and receive assets, data, or services securely and trustlessly — forming the foundation of blockchain technology, decentralized finance, and file-sharing protocols.
Polygon
Polygon, originally launched as Matic Network in 2017 and rebranded in 2021, is a layer-2 scaling solution and blockchain ecosystem built to enhance Ethereum’s performance. It offers a suite of technologies—including the Polygon Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chain, Polygon zkEVM, and sidechains—to deliver fast, low-cost transactions while maintaining Ethereum
Private Key
A private key is a secret cryptographic code that allows a user to access and control their cryptocurrency holdings. It is mathematically linked to a corresponding public key and wallet address, enabling the user to sign transactions and prove ownership of blockchain assets. Anyone with access to the private key
Programmable Liquidity
In decentralized finance (DeFi), programmable liquidity is integral to automated market makers (AMMs), lending protocols, and cross-chain liquidity solutions, enhancing capital efficiency and reducing fragmentation. Projects like Mitosis utilize programmable liquidity to optimize liquidity allocation across multiple chains, ensuring seamless capital efficiency in a modular blockchain ecosystem. How Programmable Liquidity
Proposal
A proposal is a formal suggestion submitted to a DAO or decentralized governance system for community review and voting. It outlines a specific action — such as updating protocol parameters, allocating funds, onboarding contributors, or launching new features — and serves as the foundation of decentralized decision-making in Web3. Proposals are core
Public Key
A public key is a cryptographic code that is mathematically derived from a private key and used to receive funds or verify digital signatures on a blockchain. It serves as the visible identifier of a wallet, enabling anyone to send assets to the corresponding address or confirm that a message
Pump
A pump refers to a rapid and significant increase in the price of a crypto asset, usually driven by sudden demand, coordinated hype, or speculative trading. Pumps can happen organically due to positive news or fundamentally strong developments, but they’re often artificially created in what’s known as a
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Quadratic Voting
Quadratic voting is a governance mechanism that allows participants to express the strength of their preferences, not just the direction of their vote. Instead of one token = one vote, users can allocate multiple votes to a single option, but the cost of each additional vote increases quadratically. This system helps
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REKT
REKT is crypto slang for “wrecked”, used to describe someone who has suffered a significant financial loss, often due to poor trading decisions, high-risk investments, scams, or market crashes. It’s commonly used humorously or sarcastically but reflects the high-volatility and high-risk nature of the crypto space. Getting REKT can
Return on Investment (ROI)
ROI (Return on Investment) is a performance metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment. In crypto and Web3, ROI measures the gain or loss generated relative to the initial amount of capital invested. It’s commonly expressed as a percentage and is widely used to compare returns across
Reward Token
A reward token is a type of cryptocurrency distributed to users as an incentive for specific actions within a blockchain ecosystem. These actions may include staking, liquidity provision, participating in governance, completing tasks, or simply holding a token. Reward tokens are used to encourage user engagement, promote platform growth, and
Rollup
A rollup is a Layer 2 scaling solution that bundles or “rolls up” multiple transactions into a single batch, then submits that batch to a Layer 1 blockchain like Ethereum. This allows rollups to significantly reduce gas fees and increase transaction throughput, while still inheriting the security of the underlying
Rollups
Rollups are Layer 2 scalability solutions designed to increase the transaction throughput of blockchain networks while maintaining security by offloading most of the computational work to a secondary layer. Rollups process transactions off-chain and submit either transaction data or cryptographic proofs back to the Layer 1 blockchain, such as Ethereum,
Rug Pull
A rug pull is a type of scam in crypto where project creators suddenly withdraw liquidity or abandon the project, leaving investors with worthless tokens. It’s one of the most common exit scams in DeFi and NFT spaces, often involving tokens launched with hype, but no intention of long-term
RUNE
Rune (RUNE) is the native cryptocurrency of THORChain, a decentralized liquidity protocol designed to enable cross-chain asset swaps without the need for centralized intermediaries or wrapped tokens. RUNE plays a central role in THORChain's ecosystem by facilitating liquidity, governance, and security. It acts as the protocol’s settlement
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Security Token
A security token is a type of digital asset that represents ownership in a real-world asset or enterprise and is subject to securities regulations. These tokens can represent shares in a company, ownership of physical assets like real estate, bonds, or other financial instruments. Unlike utility tokens, which provide access
Seed Phrase
A seed phrase (also known as a recovery phrase or mnemonic phrase) is a human-readable sequence of words that serves as the backup for a cryptocurrency wallet. It is generated during wallet creation and represents the private keys controlling the user’s funds. Anyone with access to the seed phrase
Sharding
Sharding is a scalability technique used in blockchain networks to split the network into smaller, independent parts called shards. Each shard processes its own transactions and smart contracts in parallel, significantly increasing the blockchain’s overall throughput and efficiency. Instead of every node processing every transaction, nodes are assigned to
Slippage
Slippage refers to the difference between the expected price of a trade and the actual price at which it is executed. It occurs when there is a change in price between the time a trade is submitted and the time it is confirmed on-chain. Slippage is common in DeFi, especially
Smart Contract
A smart contract is a self-executing program that automatically enforces the terms of an agreement between parties on a blockchain. These contracts are deployed on-chain and operate without intermediaries, executing code precisely as written once predefined conditions are met. Smart contracts enable the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) and are
Snapshot
Snapshot is a popular off-chain voting platform used by DAOs and Web3 communities to facilitate governance proposals and voting without requiring on-chain gas fees. It captures a “snapshot” of users’ token balances at a specific block, which determines their voting power for a given proposal. Snapshot enables gasless, transparent, and
Soft Fork
A soft fork is a backward-compatible protocol upgrade that modifies blockchain rules without splitting the network into two separate chains. Unlike hard forks, nodes that don’t upgrade can still participate in the network — though they may not recognize all new features. Soft forks are often used for gradual improvements
Solana
Solana is a high-performance, layer-1 blockchain launched in March 2020 by Solana Labs, designed for speed, scalability, and low-cost transactions. It leverages a unique hybrid of Proof-of-History (PoH) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms, achieving real-world transaction speeds of approximately 2,000–4,000 transactions per second (TPS) with a theoretical
Soulbound Token (SBT)
A Soulbound Token (SBT) is a type of non-transferable token that represents a permanent, verifiable record of identity, reputation, achievement, or relationship on the blockchain. Unlike traditional NFTs, Soulbound Tokens cannot be traded or transferred between wallets — they are bound to a specific address, often referred to as a “soul.
Stablecoin
A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to a fiat currency, commodity, or algorithmic mechanism. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), stablecoins offer price stability, making them suitable for payments, remittances, DeFi transactions, and as a store
Staking
Staking is the process of locking up cryptocurrency to support the operations and security of a blockchain network or decentralized protocol, in exchange for rewards. It is most commonly used in proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchains, where stakers help validate transactions and secure the network by committing their tokens for a specific
Supply
Supply in crypto refers to the number of tokens or coins available within a project’s ecosystem. It plays a central role in a token’s economics, valuation, and inflation/deflation dynamics. Supply is typically divided into different categories, including circulating supply, total supply, and max supply, each representing different
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Testnet
A testnet is a public or private testing environment that replicates the functionality of a blockchain's mainnet but uses valueless tokens. Developers use testnets to experiment, deploy, and debug smart contracts or network upgrades without risking real assets. Testnets are essential for ensuring the stability, security, and performance
Token Generation Event (TGE)
A Token Generation Event (TGE) is the moment when a new cryptocurrency token is officially created and deployed on a blockchain. It marks the initial minting and release of tokens that will power a project’s ecosystem, enable fundraising, or provide utility within a decentralized application. The TGE is a
Token Unlock
Token unlock refers to the scheduled release of locked or vested tokens into circulation, typically as part of a project’s tokenomics. Unlocks occur after a predefined vesting period and often affect founders, team members, investors, advisors, or ecosystem funds. Token unlocks can have a major impact on market dynamics,
Token Vesting
Token vesting is a mechanism that gradually releases tokens to recipients over a predefined period rather than granting them all at once. It is commonly used in blockchain projects to manage the distribution of tokens to team members, advisors, investors, and contributors. Vesting ensures long-term alignment of incentives and helps
Tokenomics
Tokenomics (short for token economics) refers to the economic design and structure behind a cryptocurrency or tokenized ecosystem. It defines how a token is created, distributed, managed, and used within a blockchain project, influencing everything from user incentives to governance participation and long-term sustainability. Tokenomics plays a critical role in
Total Supply
Total supply refers to the number of tokens or coins that have been created or minted by a project, minus any that have been burned or permanently removed from circulation. It represents the total amount of a cryptocurrency that currently exists — whether it is in circulation, locked, vested, or reserved
Total Value Locked (TVL)
TVL (Total Value Locked) refers to the total amount of crypto assets deposited into a DeFi protocol or blockchain network’s smart contracts. It represents the cumulative value of tokens locked for purposes such as liquidity provision, staking, lending, or yield farming. TVL is one of the key indicators of
Transaction
A transaction in the context of blockchain is a recorded action that represents the transfer of data or value between two or more parties on a distributed ledger. Transactions are the fundamental units of operation in blockchain systems, enabling activities such as transferring tokens, invoking smart contracts, or updating states
Treasury
A treasury in Web3 refers to the pool of funds or digital assets collectively owned and managed by a DAO, protocol, or decentralized community. It serves as the financial backbone of the organization, enabling it to fund development, pay contributors, invest in partnerships, and support long-term growth. Treasury assets typically
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Uniswap
Uniswap is a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) protocol on Ethereum, launched on November 2, 2018, by its founder Hayden Adams. It introduced the automated market maker (AMM) model, enabling users to swap ERC-20 tokens without intermediaries by utilizing liquidity pools instead of traditional order books. Governed by its native token,
Utility Token
A utility token is a type of cryptocurrency that provides access to a specific product, service, or functionality within a blockchain ecosystem. Unlike governance tokens, which confer voting rights, utility tokens are designed primarily to be used within a platform — such as paying for services, interacting with dApps, earning rewards,
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Validator
A validator is a participant in a proof-of-stake (PoS) or similar consensus-based blockchain network responsible for verifying transactions, proposing new blocks, and maintaining network integrity. Validators replace miners in PoS systems by locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency (staking) as collateral to earn the right to validate blocks and
Vanilla Assets
Vanilla Assets are tokenized representations of assets deposited into the Mitosis ecosystem, issued at a 1:1 ratio with the original deposits. When users deposit tokens into Mitosis Vaults on supported chains, they receive Vanilla Assets on the Mitosis L1 chain. These assets serve as a foundational layer for liquidity
Vault
A vault in DeFi is a smart contract that automates yield-generating strategies by pooling users' assets and optimizing how they are deployed across various protocols. Vaults are the core feature of many yield aggregators, allowing users to earn passive income without manually managing deposits, rewards, or compounding. Once funds
Volume
Volume in crypto refers to the total amount of an asset traded over a specific period of time. It reflects the level of market activity, showing how many tokens or coins were bought and sold — usually measured in the asset itself or in USD value. Volume is a key indicator
Voting Power
Voting power refers to the influence a participant holds in a governance system, typically measured by the number of governance tokens they own or have delegated to them. In Web3, voting power is used to propose, support, or reject decisions in DAOs, protocols, and decentralized platforms. The more voting power
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Web3
Web3 refers to the next generation of the internet built on decentralized technologies such as blockchains, smart contracts, and cryptographic protocols. Unlike Web2, which is dominated by centralized platforms (e.g. Facebook, Google, Amazon), Web3 enables users to own, control, and monetize their data, identities, and digital assets directly — without
Whales
Whales are individuals or entities that hold large amounts of a cryptocurrency, giving them the power to influence markets through their trades, transfers, or on-chain activity. Because of their size, whales can move prices, create volatility, and attract attention whenever they make significant moves. They exist in both Bitcoin and
Whitepaper
A whitepaper is an authoritative document published by a blockchain project that outlines its vision, technology, tokenomics, and strategic roadmap. It serves as a foundational reference for potential users, investors, and developers to understand the purpose and mechanics of the project. In the crypto space, a whitepaper is often the
Wrapped Token
A wrapped token is a cryptocurrency that represents another crypto asset on a different blockchain, allowing it to be used in ecosystems where it is not natively supported. Wrapping enables cross-chain compatibility and enhances liquidity and utility across decentralized platforms. A wrapped token maintains a 1:1 peg with the
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Yield Aggregator
A yield aggregator is a DeFi protocol that automatically finds and executes the most profitable yield strategies for users by routing their crypto assets across different platforms. These protocols optimize returns by leveraging opportunities like staking, liquidity provision, yield farming, and reward compounding, without requiring users to manually manage their
Yield Strategy
A yield strategy refers to a set of techniques used in decentralized finance (DeFi) to maximize returns on cryptocurrency assets. These strategies enable investors to generate passive income by earning yields such as interest, staking rewards, or liquidity fees through participation in DeFi protocols. Designed for capital efficiency, yield strategies
Yield Trading
Yield trading is a trading strategy that involves buying, selling, or leveraging assets based on their yield-generating potential rather than relying solely on price appreciation. This approach is widely used in decentralized finance (DeFi) and fixed-income markets, where traders seek to optimize returns by taking positions in assets that generate
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Zero-Knowledge Rollup (zk-Rollup)
A zk-rollup (zero-knowledge rollup) is a Layer 2 scaling solution that bundles multiple transactions off-chain and posts a single cryptographic proof — called a zero-knowledge proof — to a Layer 1 blockchain like Ethereum. This proof validates the correctness of all transactions in the batch, enabling fast, secure, and low-cost transactions with
zkEVM
A zkEVM, or Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine, is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that combines zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-rollups) with full compatibility for Ethereum’s Virtual Machine (EVM). Introduced conceptually in 2018 and realized with projects like zkSync Era (March 2023) and Linea (August 2023), zkEVMs process transactions off-chain using
zkSync
zkSync is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, developed by Matter Labs, designed to enhance transaction speed and reduce costs while maintaining Ethereum’s security. Launched as zkSync Lite in June 2020, it evolved into zkSync Era, a zero-knowledge rollup (ZK-rollup) platform, with its mainnet debut on March 24, 2023.
zkSync airdrop
The zkSync airdrop was a significant event for the zkSync ecosystem, a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum developed by Matter Labs. On June 17, 2024, zkSync distributed 3.675 billion ZK tokens—17.5% of its 21 billion total supply—to 695,232 eligible wallets. This one-time airdrop, one of