Full list of Commonly Used Abbreviations in Cryptocurrency Trading

Crypto Twitter and desk chat are thick with abbreviations. If you are new, the slang can feel like a wall. We maintain this list because we paste the same definitions into support tickets every week - and a shared vocabulary makes risk conversations clearer.

Updated: 2023-01-07

Abbreviations We See Daily in Cryptocurrency Trading

• Altcoins: Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.
• Bag holder: Someone holding a large position for a long time, often underwater.
• Bear / bearish: Expecting lower prices.
• BTFD: “Buy the dip” (NSFW full form is common on social feeds).
• Bull / bullish: Expecting higher prices.
• Dildo: Trader slang for a long green or red candle.
• Dump: Selling fast, often pressuring price.
• DYOR: Do your own research.
• FA: Fundamental analysis.
• FOMO: Fear of missing out.
• FUD: Fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
• HODL: Hold (typo turned meme); keep a position through volatility.
• Long: A bullish leveraged position.
• MCAP: Market capitalization.
• Moon: Traders joking about very large upside.
• OTC: Over-the-counter trading.
• Pump: Sharp upward price move.
• REKT: Large loss.
• Shitcoin: Derogatory term for a token the speaker thinks is worthless.
• Short: A bearish leveraged position.
• TA: Technical analysis.
• Whale: Wallet or trader large enough to move markets.
• Weak hands: Sells quickly on drawdowns.
• AMA: Ask me anything.
• ATH: All-time high.
• C2C: Crypto-to-crypto pair or trade.
• DLT: Distributed ledger technology.
• IMO: In my opinion.
• JOMO: Joy of missing out.
• Lambo: Meme about outsized gains funding luxury purchases.
• Nocoiner: Someone who owns no Bitcoin (often used dismissively).
• Noob: New participant.
• SAFU: “Secure asset fund for users” (exchange backstop meme).
• Shill: Heavily promoting a token, sometimes for self-interest.

Final Takeaway

Slang is not a substitute for risk management, but you should recognize it so you are not guessing during a live trade. If an abbreviation is missing here, join our Telegram or Discord and ask - we are happy to explain it in context.

For product questions, you can also reach us at Crypticorn.