A unique alphanumeric string that represents a crypto wallet for sending and receiving funds.
Example: A customer sends 100 USDT to your Ethereum wallet address beginning with 0x.
A free distribution of tokens, usually for marketing or rewarding early users.
Example: A DeFi platform airdrops governance tokens to liquidity providers.
A stablecoin that relies on algorithms to maintain its peg, rather than fiat reserves.
Example: TerraUSD was an algorithmic stablecoin that collapsed due to peg instability.
The main blockchain where transactions are validated and recorded.
Example: Ethereum and Bitcoin are Layer 1 networks.
The minimum transaction fee per gas unit on Ethereum after the EIP-1559 upgrade.
Example: Sending ETH requires paying a base gas fee plus a priority fee.
The first and most valuable cryptocurrency, launched in 2009.
Example: A retailer accepts BTC and instantly settles to EUR via XCoinsPay.
A container of transactions that is permanently added to the blockchain.
Example: Your payment is included in block #800,000 on Bitcoin.
A website or tool that lets users view blockchain transactions, addresses, and blocks.
Example: Checking Etherscan to confirm your USDT transfer.
The reward given to miners or validators for adding a new block.
Example: Bitcoin miners currently receive 3.125 BTC per block (after the 2024 halving).
A decentralised, tamper-proof ledger storing all cryptocurrency transactions.
Example: Auditing your company’s crypto payments via the blockchain record.
A protocol that enables movement of assets between blockchains.
Example: Transferring USDC from Ethereum to Polygon.
A wallet without a private key, used to permanently remove tokens from circulation.
Example: Projects burn tokens to reduce supply and support price stability.
A digital version of fiat currency issued by a central bank.
Example: China’s digital yuan (e-CNY).
Crypto financial services operated by companies that manage funds and accounts.
Example: A centralised exchange offering lending and borrowing services.
A platform where users buy and sell crypto with the company holding custody of assets.
Example: Coinbase and Binance are popular CEXs.
A forced payment reversal in card systems. Not possible with crypto transactions.
Business relevance: Merchants using XCoinsPay avoid costly chargeback disputes.
An offline wallet that stores crypto securely, away from internet threats.
Example: A company treasury uses hardware wallets for long-term storage.
In DeFi, the percentage of collateral required to back a loan.
Example: Borrowing $100 in stablecoins may require $150 worth of ETH as collateral.
When a transaction is added to a block, and subsequent blocks increase its security.
Example: XCoinsPay confirms a BTC payment after 3 confirmations.
The process a blockchain uses to validate transactions.
Example: Bitcoin uses Proof of Work, Ethereum uses Proof of Stake.
A system that allows merchants to accept crypto payments and optionally convert them to fiat.
Example: XCoinsPay supports BTC, ETH, and stablecoins with instant settlements.
A digital asset that uses cryptography for security and operates on a blockchain.
Example: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDT.
A wallet where a third-party service controls the private keys.
Example: Holding funds in a centralised exchange wallet.
An organisation governed by smart contracts and community votes.
Example: A protocol DAO votes on fee adjustments.
An application running on a blockchain, powered by smart contracts.
Example: A crypto lending platform built on Ethereum.
Financial services delivered through smart contracts without banks.
Example: Borrowing stablecoins against ETH collateral.
A peer-to-peer exchange using smart contracts for trading.
Example: Using Uniswap to swap USDT for ETH.
The measure of how hard it is to mine a block in a Proof of Work system.
Example: Bitcoin adjusts mining difficulty every 2016 blocks.
Cryptographic proof that a transaction is authorised by the private key owner.
Example: Wallets sign payments before broadcasting them.
An attempt to use the same cryptocurrency twice.
Example: Prevented by blockchain consensus.
The process of securing information so only authorised parties can read it.
Example: Wallet private keys are stored with encryption.
A standard for fungible tokens on Ethereum.
Example: USDT and USDC are ERC-20 tokens.
Funds held until agreed conditions are met, often enforced by smart contracts.
Example: Releasing payment once goods are delivered.
A leading blockchain that supports smart contracts and decentralised apps.
Example: Merchants can accept ETH or stablecoins on Ethereum via XCoinsPay.
The runtime that executes smart contracts on Ethereum-compatible networks.
Example: Binance Smart Chain is EVM-compatible.
A regulation requiring information sharing between crypto providers for certain transfers.
Business relevance: XCoinsPay integrates Travel Rule compliance.
Government-issued money like USD, EUR, or GBP.
Example: Merchants may convert crypto sales into fiat for expenses.
A stablecoin backed 1:1 with fiat reserves.
Example: USDC and USDT are fiat-backed.
The point at which a transaction cannot be reversed.
Example: Ethereum reaches finality after about 2 epochs (~12 minutes).
A change in blockchain rules.
Example: Ethereum Classic was created from an Ethereum hard fork.
Contracts to buy or sell assets at a set price in the future.
Example: Traders hedge BTC exposure using futures.
The fee paid for processing transactions on a blockchain.
Example: Sending ETH costs gas fees that vary with network demand.
The very first block in a blockchain.
Example: Bitcoin’s Genesis Block mined in 2009.
A token granting voting rights in decentralised protocols.
Example: UNI holders vote on Uniswap protocol upgrades.
A Bitcoin event reducing block rewards by half every four years.
Example: In 2024, Bitcoin’s reward dropped from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC.
The computing power used in Proof of Work mining.
Example: Bitcoin’s hash rate measures network security.
An internet-connected crypto wallet.
Example: A merchant uses a hot wallet for daily settlements.
A fundraising method for new tokens.
Example: Ethereum’s 2014 ICO raised over $18 million.
Data that cannot be changed once added to the blockchain.
Example: A confirmed payment is immutable.
A temporary loss of value faced by liquidity providers in AMMs.
Example: Providing ETH and USDC liquidity may cause impermanent loss if prices shift.
A request for payment in cryptocurrency.
Example: XCoinsPay generates invoices payable in BTC, ETH, or USDT.
A compliance process to verify customer identity.
Example: Uploading ID to open an exchange account.
Verification of a business entity for compliance.
Example: Merchants submit company documents during onboarding.
Transaction monitoring using blockchain analytics to detect risk.
Example: Screening payments for links to sanctioned wallets.
The base blockchain.
Example: Bitcoin and Ethereum are Layer 1s.
A network built on top of Layer 1 for scalability.
Example: Polygon and Lightning Network.
Infrastructure enabling multiple blockchains to interconnect.
Example: Cosmos and Polkadot are Layer 0 networks.
A record of all transactions on a blockchain.
Example: Bitcoin’s ledger shows every transaction since 2009.
A Layer 2 for Bitcoin enabling instant, low-fee transactions.
Example: Buying coffee with a Lightning invoice.
The ease of buying or selling an asset without large price changes.
Example: Stablecoins usually have high liquidity.
The total value of a cryptocurrency = price × circulating supply.
Example: Bitcoin’s market cap exceeds $500 billion.
Extra value validators can earn by reordering transactions.
Example: Bots front-running trades on Ethereum.
A proof showing a transaction belongs to a specific block without downloading the full chain.
Example: Used in light clients to verify inclusion.
The process of validating transactions in Proof of Work blockchains.
Example: Bitcoin miners earn rewards for securing the network.
A wallet requiring multiple keys to authorise a transaction.
Example: A treasury wallet requiring 2 of 3 signatures.
A token representing ownership of a unique digital asset.
Example: Digital artwork sold as an NFT.
A computer that participates in maintaining a blockchain.
Example: XCoinsPay relies on reliable nodes for transaction monitoring.
A transaction counter that ensures each crypto transfer is unique.
Example: Ethereum wallets increment nonce values for each new transaction.
Converting crypto back into fiat.
Example: XCoinsPay helps merchants settle crypto sales in GBP or EUR.
Converting fiat into crypto.
Example: Customers buy USDT to pay at checkout.
A service that delivers real-world data to blockchains.
Example: Price oracles supply ETH/USD values to DeFi protocols.
A list of buy and sell offers on an exchange.
Example: A thin order book may cause slippage.
Direct transactions between two parties.
Example: Sending BTC directly to another person’s wallet.
A secret code controlling access to a crypto wallet.
Example: Whoever holds the private key controls the funds.
A consensus mechanism using validators who lock up tokens.
Example: Ethereum switched to PoS in 2022.
A consensus mechanism relying on computational mining.
Example: Bitcoin uses PoW for security.
The visible address derived from a private key.
Example: Merchants share public keys to receive payments.
An off-chain channel for fast, repeated transactions.
Example: Lightning Network payments.
A cross-border money transfer.
Example: A business pays overseas suppliers using stablecoins.
A fraudulent scheme where project developers disappear with investor funds.
Example: Scam DeFi projects conducting rug pulls.
The smallest unit of Bitcoin, equal to 0.00000001 BTC.
Example: A coffee might cost 50,000 satoshis.
Splitting a blockchain into smaller parts (shards) to improve scalability.
Example: Ethereum plans sharding upgrades to increase throughput.
The difference between expected and actual trade execution prices.
Example: Large trades on thin markets may face higher slippage.
Self-executing code on a blockchain.
Example: A loan automatically liquidates if collateral falls below threshold.
A crypto asset pegged to fiat or commodities.
Example: USDT, USDC, and BUSD are stablecoins.
Locking tokens to secure a PoS network and earn rewards.
Example: Validators stake ETH to secure Ethereum.
A tokenised derivative tracking another asset’s price.
Example: A token representing Tesla stock.
A digital asset issued on a blockchain.
Example: An ERC-20 token like USDC.
The cost paid to process a blockchain transaction.
Example: Sending ETH requires gas fees.
Regulatory requirement for crypto transfers between providers above a set threshold.
Example: Exchanges must share sender and recipient details.
A digital tool for storing, sending, and receiving crypto.
Example: Hardware wallets (cold) and mobile apps (hot).
A decentralised internet built on blockchain.
Example: Users control their data and digital identity.
A technical document outlining a crypto project’s purpose and design.
Example: Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin whitepaper in 2008.
A cryptographic method that proves knowledge of information without revealing it.
Example: Privacy coins like Zcash use zk-SNARKs.
A decentralised internet built on blockchain.
Example: Users control their data and digital identity.
A technical document outlining a crypto project’s purpose and design.
Example: Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin whitepaper in 2008.
