Welcome back to the SuperEx Educational Series! In the first part of this glossary, we covered 50 foundational terms in the world of blockchain, crypto, and DeFi. If you haven’t read that one yet, check it out — it’s like your starter kit.
Now, we’re diving into the second half: terms 51 to 100. This section builds on the basics and introduces you to slightly more advanced concepts that you’ll often see in news headlines, trading discussions, or project whitepapers. Don’t worry, we’ll keep things simple and practical, with real examples where possible.
Think of it as leveling up: by the end of this list, you’ll be speaking the language of Web3 with a lot more confidence.
I – L
51. ICO (Initial Coin Offering) A fundraising method where projects sell new tokens directly to investors, usually before a product is live. ICOs were popular in 2017 but faced criticism due to scams and lack of regulation.
52. IDO (Initial DEX Offering) A modern fundraising method where tokens launch directly on decentralized exchanges. More transparent than ICOs, since users trade instantly in open markets.
53. IEO (Initial Exchange Offering) Token sales conducted through centralized exchanges, where the platform vets the project. SuperEx Launchpad is an example of IEO.
54. Inflationary Token A token with an increasing supply over time. For example, Dogecoin has no supply cap, which can dilute value.
55. Impermanent Loss The risk liquidity providers face in AMMs when token prices move significantly compared to when they deposited. IL can reduce profits compared to simply holding.
56. Interoperability The ability of different blockchains to communicate and share assets. Polkadot and Cosmos are major projects solving interoperability.
57. KYC (Know Your Customer) A regulatory process where platforms verify user identity with documents. Centralized exchanges typically require KYC to comply with laws.
58. Layer 1 The base blockchain itself, like Ethereum, Bitcoin, or Solana. All transactions and smart contracts are directly executed on Layer 1.
59. Layer 2 Scaling solutions built on top of Layer 1 to improve speed and reduce fees. Examples: Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync.
60. Leverage Borrowed capital used to amplify trading positions. In crypto derivatives, leverage can be as high as 100x, but risks liquidation.
61. Liquidity How easily an asset can be bought or sold without affecting price. High liquidity = tight spreads, low slippage.
62. Liquidity Pool A pool of tokens locked in a smart contract to enable trading on DEXs. Liquidity providers earn fees for supplying tokens.
63. Lightning Network A Layer 2 solution for Bitcoin that allows fast and cheap payments by settling transactions off-chain.
64. Limit Order A trading order that executes only when the asset reaches a specified price. Common on CEXs.
65. Liquidation When a leveraged position is forcibly closed because collateral value dropped too much. Common in futures or lending platforms.
66. LTV (Loan-to-Value) Ratio that measures how much you can borrow against collateral. For example, if you deposit $100 ETH and borrow $50 USDT, your LTV = 50%.
67. Long Position Betting that an asset’s price will rise. Opposite of a short position.
68. Layer 0 The foundational infrastructure that supports multiple blockchains. Polkadot’s relay chain and Cosmos’ IBC are examples.
M – O
69. Market Cap The total value of a crypto asset, calculated as price × circulating supply. Often used to compare project size.
70. Margin Trading Trading with borrowed funds, amplifying gains but also risks.
71. Meme Coin Tokens created mainly for fun, often with community hype rather than utility. Examples: DOGE, SHIB, PEPE.
72. Miner Extractable Value (MEV) Extra profits miners/validators make by reordering transactions in blocks, often seen in front-running.
73. Multisig Wallet A wallet that requires multiple private keys to authorize a transaction, improving security.
74. Mainnet The live blockchain network where real assets and transactions occur, as opposed to testnets.
75. Market Order An order that executes immediately at current market prices.
76. Merkle Tree A cryptographic data structure used in blockchains to verify transactions efficiently.
77. Metaverse A digital universe of interconnected virtual worlds where assets, identities, and economies are blockchain-based.
78. Minting The process of creating new tokens or NFTs on a blockchain.
79. Multichain A strategy or protocol that operates across multiple blockchains. Examples: SushiSwap and SuperEx bridge.
80. Node A computer participating in the blockchain network by validating transactions and blocks.
81. Off-Chain Transactions or data that occur outside the blockchain but may later be settled on-chain.
82. On-Chain Transactions or activities recorded directly on the blockchain. Transparent and immutable.
83. Oracle A service that brings off-chain data (like prices or weather) into smart contracts. Chainlink is a leading oracle network.
84. Overcollateralization Depositing more value in collateral than the loan you borrow, ensuring safety for lenders in DeFi protocols.
85. Options A derivative contract that gives the right (but not obligation) to buy or sell an asset at a specific price.
P – S
86. P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Direct interaction between users without intermediaries. P2P trading platforms allow buyers and sellers to transact directly.
87. Private Key A secret cryptographic key that grants control of your wallet. Losing it means losing access to funds.
88. Public Key The public-facing cryptographic address derived from your private key, used to receive funds.
89. Proof of Work (PoW) A consensus mechanism requiring computational power to solve puzzles. Used by Bitcoin.
90. Proof of Stake (PoS) Consensus mechanism where validators stake tokens to secure the network. Used by Ethereum after The Merge.
91. Protocol A set of rules and standards governing blockchain networks. Examples: Uniswap, Aave, Compound.
92. Pump and Dump A scheme where prices are artificially inflated (“pumped”) before insiders sell off (“dump”), leaving others with losses.
93. Public Blockchain A blockchain open for anyone to read, write, or participate in. Examples: Bitcoin, Ethereum.
94. Private Blockchain Restricted-access blockchain, often used by enterprises for internal processes.
95. Rug Pull A scam where project developers suddenly withdraw liquidity or abandon a project, leaving investors with worthless tokens.
96. Slippage The difference between expected price and actual executed price of a trade, often due to low liquidity.
97. Stablecoin A cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset like USD. Examples: USDT, USDC, DAI.
98. Staking Locking up tokens to support network security or earn rewards. Popular in PoS blockchains.
99. Smart Contract Self-executing code on the blockchain that automatically enforces rules. Foundation of DeFi, NFTs, DAOs.
100. Sharding A scaling technique that splits blockchain data into smaller “shards” to process transactions in parallel, boosting speed and capacity.
Wrapping Up
Congratulations — you’ve just gone through 100 of the most important terms in crypto and DeFi ?
From addresses and airdrops to staking and sharding, you now have the vocabulary to read whitepapers, understand news, or join community discussions without feeling lost.
At SuperEx, we believe knowledge is power. The more you understand, the more confident you’ll be in navigating Web3 — whether it’s trading, exploring DeFi, collecting NFTs, or even launching your own project.
This glossary isn’t the end; it’s the foundation. The next step is to apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios. Try setting up a non-custodial wallet, swapping tokens on a DEX, or exploring a DAO community. The best way to learn is by doing.
So — welcome to the future of finance. You’re officially no longer a beginner ?