Internet
alpha
What does alpha mean?
Insider or early information on a crypto project — a mint date, a partnership, a wallet's accumulation, a token about to list. The currency of Crypto Twitter and private Discords. 'Dropping alpha' means sharing it; 'alpha leak' means it got out before it was supposed to. Borrowed from finance, where alpha means returns above the market benchmark.
"Joined a paid Discord just for the NFT alpha, paid for itself in one mint."
Origin
Crypto sense lifted from hedge-fund jargon (alpha = excess return). The masculinity sense traces back to a 1947 wolf study whose own author later retracted the conclusion.
Frequently asked questions
What does alpha mean in crypto?
It means valuable early or insider information, or a market edge, that can lead to profit before the wider market catches on.
What does 'dropping alpha' mean?
It means sharing a valuable tip or piece of early information with others, such as news of an upcoming airdrop or opportunity.
Where does the term alpha come from?
It comes from finance, where 'alpha' means returns above the market benchmark, reframed in crypto as an informational edge.
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