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Glosario

What is Fiat Currency? Beginner

Fiat is government-issued money, such as the US dollar or euro, that is not backed by a physical commodity.

Crypto prices are usually quoted against fiat, and stablecoins are typically pegged to it. The terms "on-ramp" and "off-ramp" describe moving between fiat and crypto.

Its value rests on trust in the issuing government and central bank, a contrast that crypto was partly designed to explore.

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Key takeaways

  • Fiat is government money like the dollar or euro, not backed by a commodity.
  • Crypto prices are usually quoted against it, and stablecoins often track it.
  • Its value rests on trust in the issuing authority.

Fiat Currency — preguntas frecuentes

What do on-ramp and off-ramp mean?

An on-ramp converts fiat into crypto; an off-ramp does the reverse, turning crypto back into traditional money.

Why does crypto compare itself to fiat?

Crypto was partly created to offer an alternative to money controlled by governments and central banks.

This definition is educational and not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and high-risk — always do your own research.
Keep learning

New to crypto, or filling in the gaps? Work through the essentials in Learn, browse every term A–Z, or see live prices for the coins these concepts power.