Translation guide
A digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, often decentralized. In Japanese, the English loanword is most common, but native terms exist.
Referring to cryptocurrency as a concept or asset class.
The standard Japanese term for cryptocurrency. Used in formal and technical contexts.
暗号通貨はブロックチェーン技術を基盤としています。
Cryptocurrencies are based on blockchain technology.
Literally 'virtual currency'. Commonly used in media and everyday conversation, though technically broader than cryptocurrency.
最近、仮想通貨の価格が急落しました。
Recently, the price of virtual currencies plummeted.
Direct loanword from English. Rarely used; 暗号通貨 or 仮想通貨 are preferred.
クリプトカレンシーという言葉はあまり一般的ではありません。
The word 'cryptocurrency' is not very common.
Referring to a particular coin or token.
Literally 'crypto asset'. Often used in legal and regulatory contexts to refer to individual cryptocurrencies.
ビットコインは代表的な暗号資産です。
Bitcoin is a representative crypto asset.
Also used for specific coins, though it can be ambiguous.
暗号通貨 (cryptocurrency) emphasizes cryptographic security, while 仮想通貨 (virtual currency) is a broader term that includes non-cryptographic digital currencies. In practice, they are often used interchangeably, but 暗号通貨 is more precise for cryptocurrencies.
日本では仮想通貨という言葉がよく使われますが、国際的には暗号通貨が標準です。
In Japan, the term 'virtual currency' is often used, but internationally 'cryptocurrency' is standard.
暗号通貨に投資しました。
I invested in cryptocurrency.
暗号通貨のマイニングは大量の電力を消費します。
Cryptocurrency mining consumes a lot of electricity.
イーサリアムは時価総額第2位の仮想通貨です。
Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.