Crypto Security Glossary

Crypto Security Terms, Explained

Plain-English definitions for the security terms you see in token scanners, DEX trackers, and on-chain analysis tools. Understand the risk before you trade.

Token Scams

Honeypot

A token you can buy but cannot sell. The contract blocks sell transactions for everyone except the scammer.

Rug Pull

When a token team removes liquidity or dumps their allocation, crashing the price to near zero.

Trading

Slippage

The difference between the price you expect and the price you actually get when swapping tokens.

Sniper Bot

Automated software that buys new tokens within milliseconds of launch, often front-running regular users.

Market Manipulation

Wash Trading

Buying and selling to yourself to create fake volume and make a token look more active than it is.

Clone Farm

A network of tokens deployed by the same wallet to pump, dump, and repeat the scam pattern.

Safety Mechanisms

Liquidity Lock

A time-locked commitment that prevents the team from pulling liquidity from the DEX pool.

Solana Security

Mint Authority

The power to create new tokens out of thin air. If not renounced, the team can dilute holders to zero.

Smart Contract Risks

Blacklist Function

A contract function that lets the owner block specific wallets from transferring or selling tokens.

Token Freeze (Transfer Pause)

An owner function that pauses all token transfers, trapping holders until the team unpauses.