Timestamp

A Timestamp, at the most basic level, represents some moment in time.

In cryptocurrency, a timestamp represents the exact moment in time that a block was mined and validated by a blockchain network.

A timestamp can also refer to a moment in time when a transaction was encrypted, confirming the existence of the data compiled in a blockchain transaction.

Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets also provide transaction timestamps that provide a chronological record of all transactions that have taken place over some period of time in that wallet.

This could include a deposit, a withdrawal, buying or selling an asset, when you first started staking an asset, and more.

Related Terms

Wallet

Made up of a unique public address called your public key (similar to your bank account number) that you can share with the world, your friends, family, and other businesses and companies that you trust, to send and receive digital assets. A wallet also stores a private key (much like the PIN that you use to access your bank account at the ATM), which, when combined with the public key, confirms ownership of the wallet, and allows you as the wallet owner to view the digital record of your wallet transactions, and allows you to perform actions such as buying, selling, withdrawing, and swapping funds.

Desktop Wallet

A common type of crypto wallet used to securely store and manage your private keys on a computer hard drive. They’re considered more secure than web-based wallets, since you can only access them from wherever your computer is located, and again, you control your private keys.

Software Wallet

A form of cryptocurrency wallet that’s based on software, so installed as a mobile app or accessed via a website, or installed as software on a desktop or laptop computer. The software itself stores your private keys that are used to access your cryptocurrency funds.

Hardware Wallet

A type of cryptocurrency wallet that’s based on a physical device, such as a USB thumb drive with buttons and a screen, that stores your private keys to your cryptocurrency funds. A hardware wallet is considered a cold wallet in that it isn’t connected to the Internet, keeping your wallet (and wallet funds) away from hackers and theft.

Paper Wallet

Another form of cryptocurrency wallet that is literally a physical piece of paper with your public and private keys written or printed on it. It lets you store and access your cryptocurrency offline, or not connected to the Internet.