Explore & understand
Glossary
Crypto, in plain English
Crypto asset
A digital asset whose ownership or use is recorded through a crypto system. The term includes assets with different designs and purposes; it does not mean every asset is money, a company share or legally classified the same way. Identify the particular asset and relevant rules before interpreting a claim about it. Related: Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins.
Blockchain network
A system of participants and rules that maintains a blockchain record and processes activity. Different networks have different assets, fees and supported actions. A familiar address format does not prove that two networks share receiving support. For a transfer, the selected network must match the destination’s applicable instructions. Alias for discovery: network. Related: token representation, receiving address.
Wallet
Software or another interface used to interact with a crypto system and manage access or authorise activity. Assets are represented by system records rather than stored as ordinary coins inside the app. Wallet designs differ in who controls keys and how recovery works. Read the particular arrangement rather than assuming every wallet is self-custody. Related: custody, private key.
Custody
The arrangement for controlling access to assets and authorising their movement. A provider may hold keys, a person may control them directly, or authority may be shared. Custody affects responsibilities and recovery, but the label alone does not establish safety or availability. Ask who can act, what approvals are required and what restrictions apply. Related: wallet, recovery phrase.
Receiving address
An identifier used for a destination within a crypto system. Check the complete destination and selected network through current receiving instructions. Some services also require a memo or tag. A valid-looking address does not establish the intended recipient, supported asset or provider credit. An address may be shared for receiving where appropriate; signing secrets are different. Related: memo/tag, private key.
Private key
Secret cryptographic information used to create authorised signatures under a particular system’s rules. Someone obtaining a usable key may gain dangerous transaction authority. It is different from a public receiving address and should not be pasted into a message or this learning website. Wallet arrangements can require more than one key or approval. Related: signature, custody.
Recovery phrase
A secret sequence of words that can restore related keys in compatible wallet designs. It is not a universal recovery method for every wallet or service account. Protect it according to the specific verified arrangement; anyone obtaining a usable phrase may gain control. This website never needs your actual phrase. Aliases: seed phrase; mnemonic phrase. Related: wallet, private key.
Signature
Cryptographic evidence created with a signing key for specified data or an action. What a signature authorises depends on the request and system; some requests have consequences beyond sign-in. Inspect the actual authority rather than relying on a friendly label. A signature does not independently prove someone’s real-world identity or a promised later payment. Related: spending approval.
Transaction
A request or recorded action processed under a crypto network’s rules. Its status may be pending, successful or failed, depending on the system and action. Being included in a record does not always mean the intended action succeeded. Check the relevant result, asset movement and conditions rather than treating every visible transaction as payment receipt. Related: transaction identifier, confirmation.
Transaction identifier
An identifier used to locate a transaction record on a particular network, often called a transaction hash. It is a starting point for verification, not proof of a successful payment by itself. Use the correct network and inspect the actual status, destination and relevant asset movement. A screenshot containing an identifier still needs independent checking. Related: explorer.
Gas
A measure of computational work used by Ethereum and some related systems to price execution. Gas units and the price paid for those units are different quantities. The action, network rules and current conditions affect the fee. Other networks can use different fee models. Do not treat an estimated fee as a guarantee of completion or receipt. Related: network fee.
Network fee
A charge associated with processing activity under a network’s rules. It differs from provider, conversion or payout charges. The fee asset may be different from the asset being transferred. Some included failed executions can still incur a fee. Confirm the applicable model and quoted conditions rather than assuming rejection, failure and successful transfer have identical costs. Related: gas, spread.
Stablecoin
A crypto asset designed to track a reference value, such as a currency. Mechanisms and conditions differ. The target does not guarantee a market price, direct redemption eligibility or an amount received through local conversion. Identify the particular design, issuer or collateral and route before relying on a stability claim. Related: peg/reference value, issuer redemption.
Peg / reference value
The value a pegged asset aims to track. A token targeting USD 1 does not establish that every market or conversion quote equals USD 1. The mechanism may be stressed or fail to maintain the target. Keep the intended reference, actual offered price and final proceeds separate when evaluating a claim. Related: stablecoin, conversion.
Issuer redemption
Exchanging an eligible asset directly through its issuer under applicable terms. Holding a token does not automatically qualify someone for that route; account, jurisdiction and other conditions can apply. Selling through another service is a different arrangement. Check the particular issuer’s current terms rather than generalising one token’s redemption rules to all stablecoins. Related: conversion.
Conversion
Exchanging one asset or currency for another through a specified route. The quoted rate, spread, charges, availability and timing affect the result. A displayed crypto balance is different from completed conversion and from local-money payout. Use supplied fictional inputs for practice; this glossary supplies no live rate, available provider or permitted country route. Related: spread, issuer redemption.
Spread
The difference between quoted buying and selling prices, or another specifically stated price comparison. A route may incorporate costs through its quote rather than a separately labelled fee. Ask which prices are being compared and what the actual proceeds would be. A low visible service fee does not by itself make a conversion route cheaper. Related: conversion, network fee.
Token representation
The particular form in which an asset is represented within a system, such as an issuer-native token deployment or a third-party wrapped version. Similar names and prices do not establish equivalent rights or receiving support. Identify the exact representation and network, then check current destination instructions. Related: blockchain network, stablecoin, receiving address.
Memo / tag
An additional destination detail some receiving systems require to identify the intended account or purpose. It can be necessary alongside an address. Check whether the particular route requires it, and use the exact supplied detail. Do not assume every network or provider uses one, or that address-format validation proves the full receiving instructions are satisfied. Related: receiving address.
Confirmation
Evidence of a transaction’s inclusion and subsequent network progression as defined by the particular system. How confirmations are described and counted varies. A provider may state its own crediting requirement and processing step. Meeting a confirmation count does not independently prove provider credit or a local payout. Related: finality, transaction, explorer.
Finality
The degree or condition under which a network treats an outcome as settled against reversal under its rules. Some systems use explicit finality conditions; others provide increasing confidence as the record progresses. Finality is network-specific and does not establish provider credit, conversion or bank/mobile-money receipt. Read the applicable model rather than applying one universal count. Related: confirmation.
Spending approval
Permission, in systems supporting it, for a specified address or contract to spend certain assets according to defined conditions. It is different from checking a balance or making one direct transfer. Inspect who receives authority, which asset and allowance are covered, and what revocation can change. A familiar logo or small initial request does not explain the full permission. Related: signature.
Explorer
A tool for viewing a network’s records. Establish which network it shows and reach a trustworthy source independently. Inspect relevant status, destination and asset movement; search results and coloured ticks can require interpretation. An explorer record does not by itself verify a provider’s account credit or a separate payout. This glossary does not select or endorse an explorer service. Related: transaction identifier.
Phishing
A deceptive request designed to obtain secrets, access or consequential actions by appearing trustworthy. It can arrive through messages, fake support, websites or other channels. Verify independently and inspect what is requested. Never give this website your signing secrets. Recognising missing evidence is enough to pause; you do not have to prove the sender’s intent first. Related: signature, recovery phrase.