Cryptocurrency Terms and Definitions

Ether (Ether, ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain platform, the second most important in the industry. In traders' jargon there are playful distortions of the name — "kefir," "efir," "zemfir" — but they always refer to one asset.

A whale (Whale) is a large holder of cryptocurrency whose volumes can noticeably influence the market. The trades of such participants often move the quotes of individual coins, so other traders watch their wallets closely.

A client (Client) is a program that enables a user to interact with a blockchain network: transfers, balance checks, and data synchronization. The most familiar example of a client is a cryptocurrency wallet.

A coin (Coin) is a unit of cryptocurrency that runs on its own independent blockchain. This is exactly what distinguishes a coin from a token, and the word itself is often part of the names of many cryptocurrencies.

Compounding is the reinvestment of accrued interest or rewards, in which income is added to the principal and itself begins to generate profit. It is the practical application of the principle of compound interest.