Hodl
Crypto slang for holding an asset through volatility instead of reacting to short-term market moves.
- Also known as
- hold
Hodl means holding a cryptocurrency rather than selling during volatility. It is often used by people who prefer long-term ownership over active trading, but it is a mindset rather than a guarantee of good returns.
The term began as a misspelling of "hold" in a 2013 Bitcointalk post titled "I AM HODLING." The later phrase "Hold On for Dear Life" is a backronym, not the original meaning.
Hodling reduces the stress and costs of frequent trading, but it can also ignore changing fundamentals, security risks, or personal liquidity needs. A durable plan should define why the asset is held and when the thesis would change.
Related terms
Explore connected entries beyond the alphabetical index.
Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)
→Dollar cost averaging buys a fixed amount at regular intervals to reduce timing risk and smooth entry prices over time.
Bear Market
→A sustained market decline accompanied by broadly negative sentiment and reduced risk appetite.
Bull Market
→A sustained period of broadly rising prices and optimistic market sentiment, without a universal threshold or duration.
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
→FOMO is the fear of missing out on gains, often causing impulsive buying during fast price moves or social hype.
FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt)
→FUD means fear, uncertainty, and doubt spread through negative, exaggerated, or misleading claims.