Popular Crypto Slang Terms. Part 8

We’re back with a new series on crypto jargon education. For those who missed the previous sessions, you can find the saved summaries on our website:
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Alpha  

In the crypto community, the term “alpha” has multiple meanings but is primarily used to denote early access to information or investment opportunities. Having an alpha pass to a cryptocurrency or platform means you're almost an insider, legally privy to information that others will only learn after the official release. This allows you to buy coins at a lower price or test platform functionalities before others.

The term “Alpha” is also used to describe investments with potentially high returns but high risks. For example, participating in an ICO can be considered an alpha investment.

Additionally, you might encounter the Greek letter α (alpha) in posts. Crypto enthusiasts use it to indicate profits gained from implementing a unique trading strategy or using insider information.  

Another crypto enthusiast captivated by an alpha meme coin. Source: Reddit

In a broader sense, the term “Alpha” also signifies a personal advantage that allows someone to stay ahead in the race and achieve high profits in the cryptocurrency market. For example, if you are Elon Musk. 

However, be wary: shillers often entice newcomers by tagging projects destined for a rug pull with this word.

Wen Lambo  

This slang expression, short for “When will you buy a Lamborghini?”, commonly appears in comments on cryptocurrency posts across platforms like X, Reddit, Telegram, and others frequented by crypto traders. Its catchy nature has helped it become a viral phrase among market participants.

Often, “Wen Lambo” expresses investors' impatience regarding their open positions or specific assets. 

Sometimes, experienced investors use it ironically to underscore the unrealistic expectations of novice traders.

NFT in the form of a “Wen Lambo” sticker Source: OpenSea

Why has Lamborghini, rather than the equally luxurious Ferrari, become the symbol of successful trading? 

First, it’s because of the bull depicted on the sports car’s emblem. The brand's founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, placed this animal on the logo in honor of his Zodiac sign, Taurus, without knowing the extra profit it would eventually bring the company.

Second, the car manufacturer, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., enthusiastically sells this prestigious vehicle for cryptocurrency through the payment provider BitPay. In 2017, when there was a surge in buying cars with crypto, The New York Times even published an article about this trend, noting that “the only acceptable way to spend money in the crypto community is to buy a Lamborghini.”

Pumpamentals   

This slang term is commonly used in the cryptocurrency community when discussing hyped altcoins or meme coins. It is a blend of “pump” and “fundamentals.”

Pumpamentals suggests that investment decisions are made not based on the fundamental analysis of the project (technology, team, business model) but rather influenced by sharp emotions like FOMO and the desire to quickly profit from a price pump. 

Projects characterized by pumpamentals often lack real value and long-term development prospects. However, they can generate significant hype through: 

• Alignment with popular narratives;
• Active marketing campaigns;
• Support from influential figures and opinion leaders;
• Unjustifiably generous tokenomics;
• Viral advertising. 

In such conditions, even an asset that seems pointless at first glance can receive a substantial pump. Thus, there are always investors—greedy or risk-taking—who are looking to make a quick profit. 

The difference between pumpamentals and fundamental projects. Source: thedefiedge

Many market participants actively search for new pumpamentals, fully aware of their fleeting nature, because it offers a chance to earn relatively easily without deep fundamental analysis.

Zombie Chain  

Blockchains that continue to operate but have lost most of their user base and value are referred to as zombie chains. Unfortunately, projects that are more dead than alive are not rare in the crypto market. These projects often suffer from neglected code that hasn't been touched by developers in years, and user activity diminishes annually.A prime example of a zombie network is Secret Network. Once a popular first-tier blockchain based on Cosmos with its own anonymous cryptocurrency SCRT, technical issues and internal conflicts led to the project losing more than 85% of its market cap in 2023, with the token price continuing to fall.

The risk of becoming a zombie chain. Source: unchainedcrypto

Another interpretation of this term comes from analysts at Forbes who proposed a list of cryptocurrency “walking dead,” which includes highly capitalized protocols such as Cardano, Stellar, Ethereum Classic, and even Ripple. According to Forbes, these blockchains are essentially dead, kept afloat in the market solely by speculators and initial funding, not by genuine technological or practical achievements.

Clearly, this is quite a subjective parameter, so don't be dismayed if a project in which you are financially involved is labeled in this way.