An NFT is a unique digital token stored on a blockchain that proves ownership of a specific digital item — art, music, video, game items, or anything else. Unlike currencies, each NFT is distinct and cannot be directly exchanged 1:1 for another. The NFT boom of 2021 saw billions traded, before a sharp market correction.
The Lightning Network is a Layer 2 payment protocol built on top of Bitcoin. It enables near-instant, near-free Bitcoin transactions by creating off-chain payment channels between parties. Only the opening and closing of channels are recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are cryptographic methods that allow one party to prove they know something without revealing what that thing is. In blockchain, they enable both privacy and scaling — proving off-chain computation is correct without re-executing it on-chain.
MetaMask is the world's most popular Ethereum wallet, available as a browser extension and mobile app. It allows users to interact with decentralised applications directly from their browser, store Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens, and sign transactions. With over 30 million monthly active users, it is the primary gateway to Web3.
Solidity is the primary programming language for writing Ethereum smart contracts. It is a statically-typed, contract-oriented language with syntax influenced by JavaScript and C++. It powers virtually all DeFi protocols, NFT contracts, and DAOs on Ethereum and EVM-compatible chains.
DeFi refers to a suite of financial services — lending, borrowing, trading, yield generation — built on public blockchains, primarily Ethereum. It aims to replicate and disintermediate traditional finance without banks or intermediaries. At its peak in 2021, over $180 billion was locked in DeFi protocols.
Tether (USDT) is the world's largest stablecoin by market capitalisation and trading volume. It is issued by Tether Limited and claims to be fully backed by US dollar reserves. USDT is the primary trading pair on most cryptocurrency exchanges globally.
Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin and the author of the Bitcoin whitepaper. Their true identity remains one of the greatest mysteries in technology. Satoshi mined approximately 1 million Bitcoin in the early days before disappearing from public life in 2010.
A Crypto Winter refers to an extended bear market in the cryptocurrency space — characterised by sustained price declines of 70–90% from peak values, collapsed trading volumes, project failures, and industry layoffs. Major crypto winters occurred in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
A Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) is an organisation governed by code rather than traditional management hierarchies. Members hold governance tokens and vote on proposals — from treasury spending to protocol changes. DAOs manage billions in assets across DeFi, investment, and protocol governance.
Cryptocurrency regulation encompasses the growing body of laws, rules, and enforcement actions governing digital assets. Approaches vary enormously — El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender while China banned all crypto. The EU passed comprehensive MiCA legislation in 2023.
Web3 is a vision of a decentralised internet built on blockchain technology, where users own their data and digital assets rather than surrendering them to tech giants. It encompasses cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DAOs, and decentralised applications.
FTX was once the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange. In November 2022, a report revealed FTX's balance sheet was dominated by its own FTT token. A bank run ensued, revealing an $8 billion hole — customer funds had been secretly lent to SBF's trading firm Alameda Research.
Terra was an algorithmic stablecoin protocol that spectacularly collapsed in May 2022, wiping out approximately $40 billion in value within days. Its UST stablecoin lost its peg and LUNA became worthless, triggering contagion across the entire crypto market.
Celsius Network was a centralised crypto lending platform that offered high yields on deposited crypto — attracting over 1.7 million customers and $12 billion in assets. In June 2022, Celsius froze all withdrawals amid a liquidity crisis and filed for bankruptcy.