Here are explanations for common slang in the cryptocurrency space, so you can instantly become an 'insider'!
1. Core Vocabulary
All-in
Means 'put everything on the line', that is, putting all funds into a certain cryptocurrency or project.
👉 Example: A friend shouts 'All-in on BTC', meaning he wants to convert all his assets into Bitcoin.Cutting leeks
Refers to market manipulators in the cryptocurrency space driving retail investors (leeks) to buy high and sell low, ultimately leading to their losses.
👉 Example: A certain coin skyrockets and then quickly plummets, this is the manipulators cutting leeks.Missing the boat
Refers to failing to buy a certain cryptocurrency in time and missing the upward trend.
👉 Example: Watching ETH rise by 50%, but Xiao Ming hasn't bought in yet, this is called 'missing the boat'.Locking funds
Indicates that someone is holding a certain cryptocurrency for a long time, unaffected by short-term fluctuations.
👉 Example: I have locked my BTC, planning to check back in 5 years.FOMO
An abbreviation for 'Fear of Missing Out', refers to impulsively buying due to the fear of missing an opportunity.
👉 Example: Seeing DOGE surge, Xiao Bai FOMO'd into the market.
2. Investment Behavior
Bottom fishing
Buying in during a significant price drop, trying to catch the lowest point.
👉 Example: After a big drop, someone shouts 'Bottom fish SHIB'.Catching falling knives
Refers to recklessly buying during a rapid price decline, which is extremely risky.
👉 Example: Buying altcoins at this time is like catching falling knives.Getting in / Getting out
Getting in means buying, getting out means selling, usually refers to participating in or exiting an investment in a certain cryptocurrency.
👉 Example: A friend shouts 'ETH is about to take off, hurry and get in!'Regular investment
Refers to investing in a certain cryptocurrency at fixed time intervals and amounts to spread risk.
👉 Example: I invest in BTC regularly every month, my mindset is very stable.
3. Market Phenomena
Pump
Refers to manipulators or large investors pushing the price of a cryptocurrency up rapidly.
👉 Example: Today BTC had a significant pump, breaking through $100,000!Dump
Refers to large investors selling off a substantial amount, causing the price to plummet.
👉 Example: Who is dumping? The price suddenly dropped by 10%.Washing
Refers to shaking off short-term speculators through up-and-down fluctuations to clear out floating capital for future increases.
👉 Example: This wave of fluctuating market might be the manipulators washing out.Waterfall
Used to describe a situation where the price drops significantly, usually in a vertical manner.
👉 Example: ETH just experienced a waterfall, dropping by 20%.
4. Cryptocurrency and Project Types
Air coin
A cryptocurrency with no real application value, solely relying on conceptual speculation.
👉 Example: This coin doesn’t even have a white paper, it's a typical air coin.Mainstream coins
Cryptocurrencies with high market acceptance and mature technology, such as BTC, ETH, etc.
👉 Example: Beginners are advised to start with mainstream coins.Altcoins
Other cryptocurrencies besides mainstream coins, most of which are imitation projects.
👉 Example: Small investments can try altcoins, high risk but big returns.Hundredfold coins
Refers to small-cap cryptocurrencies that may skyrocket in price by 100 times, synonymous with the dream of getting rich in the cryptocurrency space.
👉 Example: Everyone is looking for the next hundredfold coin.
5. Mentality
Lying flat
Ignoring market fluctuations and holding assets while waiting.
👉 Example: No matter how the market moves, I've decided to lie flat.Faith
Firmly optimistic about the long-term value of a certain cryptocurrency, unaffected by short-term fluctuations.
👉 Example: Holding BTC requires faith, the fluctuations are too great.Going to zero
Refers to the price of a cryptocurrency dropping to near or equal to 0, usually used to describe failed projects.
👉 Example: This project has run away, and the price has directly gone to zero.
6. Technical Analysis
Breakthrough
Refers to the price breaking through a key resistance level, indicating further upward movement.
👉 Example: BTC broke through $50,000, it may accelerate now.Pullback
Refers to a brief retreat in price after a rise, usually a healthy adjustment.
👉 Example: ETH has surged too much, this pullback is very normal.Bull-bear transition
The process of transitioning from a bull market to a bear market, or from a bear market to a bull market.
👉 Example: This year is likely a key point for the bull-bear transition.