Glossary
Crypto finance terms explained for readers comparing real risk.
A readable glossary for tokenomics, mining, DeFi, custody, stablecoins, market structure, and safety terms used across ChainReview research.
Consensus
Staking
Locking or delegating assets to support network operation or earn rewards.
Glossary readConsensusSlashing
A penalty that removes staked assets for validator misbehavior.
Glossary readConsensusValidator
A network participant that proposes or verifies blocks.
Glossary readConsensusProof of stake
A consensus method that uses staked capital and validator rules.
Glossary readCustody
Self-custody
Holding the keys needed to move crypto assets yourself.
Glossary readCustodySeed phrase
A recovery phrase that can restore wallet keys.
Glossary readCustodyHardware wallet
A device designed to keep private keys isolated.
Glossary readCustodyHot wallet
A wallet connected to an internet-facing device or browser.
Glossary readDeFi
Liquidity pool
A smart contract holding assets used for decentralized trading.
Glossary readDeFiImpermanent loss
The relative loss liquidity providers can face when paired assets move.
Glossary readDeFiTotal value locked (TVL)
The value of assets deposited in a protocol.
Glossary readDeFiReal yield
Yield supported by economic activity rather than only token emissions.
Glossary readGovernance
Infrastructure
Market structure
Liquidity
How easily an asset can be bought or sold without moving price heavily.
Glossary readMarket structureSlippage
The difference between expected price and executed price.
Glossary readMarket structureHolder concentration
How much supply is controlled by the largest wallets.
Glossary readMarket structureTransaction fees
Fees users pay to have transactions processed.
Glossary readMarket structureMarket maker
A participant that provides buy and sell liquidity.
Glossary readMarket structureOrder book
A list of buy and sell orders on an exchange.
Glossary readMarket structureDecentralized exchange (DEX)
An on-chain venue for swapping assets without a traditional broker.
Glossary readMarket structureCentralized exchange (CEX)
A platform that holds accounts and runs exchange infrastructure.
Glossary readMarket structureMEV
Value extracted by reordering, inserting, or censoring transactions.
Glossary readMining
Proof of work
A consensus method that uses computational work to secure a network.
Glossary readMiningHashprice
Estimated mining revenue per unit of hashrate per day.
Glossary readMiningHashrate
The amount of hashing work a miner or network performs.
Glossary readMiningJoules per terahash (J/T)
A Bitcoin ASIC efficiency measure.
Glossary readMiningMining pool
A group that combines miner hashrate and shares rewards.
Glossary readMiningBlock reward
Newly issued coins and fees paid to a block producer.
Glossary readSecurity
Multisig
A wallet that requires multiple approvals before an action executes.
Glossary readSecurityAudit
A review of smart contract code by a security team.
Glossary readSecurityWallet approval
Permission for a contract to spend or interact with tokens.
Glossary readSecurityPhishing
A deception attempt to steal credentials, keys, or approvals.
Glossary readSecurityRug pull
A project failure or scam where insiders extract value from users.
Glossary readSecurityHoneypot
A token that can be bought but is difficult or impossible to sell.
Glossary readStablecoins
Technology
Smart contract
Code deployed on a blockchain that can hold assets or execute rules.
Glossary readTechnologyContract ownership
Control over privileged smart contract functions.
Glossary readTechnologyAdmin key
A key or account with privileged protocol permissions.
Glossary readTechnologyTimelock
A delay before privileged changes can take effect.
Glossary readToken distribution
Tokenomics
Fully diluted valuation (FDV)
The implied value of all token supply at the current market price.
Glossary readTokenomicsMarket cap
The value of circulating token supply at current price.
Glossary readTokenomicsCirculating supply
The tokens considered available in the market today.
Glossary readTokenomicsToken unlock
A scheduled release of previously locked tokens.
Glossary readTokenomicsVesting cliff
A large unlock after an initial lockup period.
Glossary readTokenomicsTokenomics
The design of token supply, demand, incentives, and utility.
Glossary readTokenomicsEmission schedule
The planned release of new or reserved tokens over time.
Glossary readResearch-first coverage with clear ad separation.
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