HODL
A term derived from a misspelling of "hold," used in the crypto community to refer to holding onto assets through volatile markets. Now said to stand for “Hold On for Dear Life.”

What Is HODL (in Crypto)?
HODL is a term in crypto that means holding onto your cryptocurrency rather than selling it, even when prices go up or down. The term originated from a typo of "hold" in an online forum post but has since evolved to stand for "Hold On for Dear Life," capturing the essence of staying committed through market ups and downs.
How It Works
- Long-Term Strategy: HODLing is all about holding a crypto asset for a long period, regardless of price swings. Instead of trading frequently, HODLers aim to wait until the asset’s value increases significantly over time.
- Emotional Control: HODLing encourages avoiding impulsive decisions based on fear or greed, like panic-selling during a market dip or chasing quick gains.
- Community Culture: HODL has become a badge of honor in the crypto world, where believers in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptos pride themselves on their resilience and long-term vision.
Example
Imagine you bought Bitcoin at $10,000. A year later, it drops to $7,000—many might panic and sell. But as a HODLer, you hang onto it, believing Bitcoin will rise in value over the long term. Later, if it hits $60,000, your patience pays off.
Key Takeaways
- HODL is a long-term investment approach, emphasizing patience and commitment to holding crypto.
- It’s rooted in the belief that crypto values will generally increase over time, despite short-term dips.
- HODLing is about staying cool during volatile market conditions and ignoring temporary price swings.
In essence, HODLing is about not letting the roller coaster of crypto prices shake you out, trusting that the journey will be worth it in the end.
Other terms in this Category.