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degen
What does degen mean?
Short for 'degenerate gambler', a trader who takes wild, high-risk bets on volatile tokens. Once an insult, now a self-applied flex in DeFi and memecoin circles.
"Only a true degen would ape a bonding-curve launch without reading the contract."
Origin
Clipped from 'degenerate,' long used in gambling slang. Crypto traders reclaimed it around 2020-2021 as a proud identity for reckless high-risk players, especially in DeFi memecoin culture.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'degen' mean in crypto?
It's short for 'degenerate' and means a reckless, gambling-style trader who chases high-risk plays. In crypto it's worn proudly.
Is 'degen' an insult?
Not in crypto — it's a self-applied badge of honor for risk-taking. Outside that context, 'degenerate' is still an insult.
What is a 'degen play'?
A high-risk, high-reward bet that's basically gambling — you might 10x or lose everything, with little in between.
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