Financial Glossary
Essential financial and economic terms explained clearly. Hover over terms in articles to see instant definitions.
Crypto & Blockchain
BTC Dominance
The percentage of total cryptocurrency market capitalization that Bitcoin represents. High dominance signals a risk-off environment.
Alt Season
A period when alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) outperform Bitcoin. Usually occurs when BTC dominance falls below 40%.
DeFi
Decentralized Finance - financial services built on blockchain without traditional intermediaries. Includes lending, borrowing, trading, and yield farming.
general
Market Cap
Total value of all outstanding shares/coins. Calculated as price × circulating supply. Used to compare relative sizes of assets.
Trading Volume
The total amount of an asset traded within a specific time period. High volume often confirms price trends.
Macroeconomics
Federal Funds Rate
The interest rate at which banks lend to each other overnight. Set by the Federal Reserve, it influences borrowing costs throughout the economy.
Inflation
The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. Measured by CPI and PCE.
Quantitative Easing (QE)
A monetary policy where central banks buy government bonds to increase money supply and lower interest rates. Tends to inflate asset prices.
Yield Curve
A graph showing interest rates across different bond maturities. An inverted yield curve (short-term rates higher than long-term) has historically preceded recessions.
Financial Markets
S&P 500
A stock market index tracking 500 of the largest US public companies. Widely considered the best single gauge of US equity market performance.