Key Crypto Terms Explained
Essential terminology you need to understand Crypto news. Each term is explained in plain language with context for how it appears in current reporting.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance)
Financial services built on blockchain without intermediaries
Layer 2
Scaling solutions built on top of base blockchains (e.g., Lightning, Optimism)
TVL (Total Value Locked)
Total assets deposited in DeFi protocols
Staking
Locking cryptocurrency to support network operations and earn rewards
Smart Contract
Self-executing code on a blockchain that enforces agreement terms
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These terms appear frequently in Crypto reporting. Bookmark this page as a quick reference when reading our latest intelligence briefs.
Terms are sourced from stories that clear our classification pipeline at a minimum 35 percent relevance threshold. According to that methodology, reviewed July 2026, this follows multi-source corroboration standards recommended by journalism research bodies such as the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.