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What does “HODL” mean?

September 20th, 2025, 12:10 pm
HODL is a cryptocurrency slang term that started as a typo for "hold" but evolved into an investment strategy of holding onto crypto assets long-term, rather than trading them during market fluctuations

The term originated from a 2013 Bitcointalk forum post by user GameKyuubi and is now often used as an acronym for "Hold On for Dear Life," reflecting the belief in the long-term value of cryptocurrencies despite price volatility.


Origin Story

  1. Bitcointalk Post: In December 2013, during a significant Bitcoin price drop, a user on the Bitcointalk forum, GameKyuubi, posted a message with the typo "I AM HODLING".
  2. Viral Spread: The misspelling quickly gained traction among crypto enthusiasts.
  3. Backronym: It was later embraced as a "backronym" for "Hold On for Dear Life," a phrase that accurately captured the sentiment of holding through intense market ups and downs.


HODL as an Investment Strategy

  1. Long-Term Focus: HODLing is a long-term investment philosophy, contrasting with active trading strategies like day trading.
  2. Belief in Future Value: HODLers typically have a strong belief in the long-term potential and value of their crypto assets.
  3. Emotional Resilience: The strategy emphasizes ignoring short-term price swings and avoiding emotional decisions driven by panic or greed, aiming for future growth over immediate gains.