HODL Meaning

Aug 15, 2023 | Updated Aug 15, 2023

"HODL" refers to the strategy of holding onto one's digital assets with a long-term perspective despite market fluctuations.

HODL Meaning in Cryptocurrency?

HODL stands for “hold on for dear life”. It is a popular term used by crypto enthusiasts during periods of market volatility. The term originally came about as a misspelling of “HOLD” in a forum post. Now it is used to describe investors who choose to hold their digital assets for the long term, especially in bear markets. The term is also used to encourage investors not to sell in panic when there is a decline in the value of their portfolio.

Origin of HODL

“HODL” originated from a spelling mistake on the BitcoinTalk forum in 2013. A user, ‘GameKyuubi’ wrote a thread on the platform titled

“I AM HODLING” in which they expressed the intent to hold onto Bitcoins despite the market’s volatility. Since then, the word gained popularity within the cryptocurrency community as a playful and self-deprecating way to describe holding onto one’s cryptocurrency assets, regardless of market fluctuations.

The term has since grown to become one of the most popular slang in crypto circles. Two similar terms are “Diamond hands”, another slang term which describes users who hold tightly to their assets even in the face of significant market volatility or downturns.

Another popular slang term in the world of cryptocurrency that is similar to “HODL” is “BUIDL. In essence, “BUIDL” encourages individuals to be proactive in supporting the growth and adoption of cryptocurrencies and to participate in the technical and developmental aspects of the industry, rather than solely relying on buying and holding assets for speculative purposes.