What Does HODL Mean?
HODL is a slang term in the crypto world that means holding onto your cryptocurrency rather than selling it.
The word originated from a typo—"I AM HODLING"—posted on a Bitcoin forum in 2013 during a period of extreme market volatility. At the time, Bitcoin had jumped from about $130 in April to over $950 in December.
The poster, frustrated by the price swings, urged others to stay strong and not sell, even misspelling "hold" in the process. The crypto community embraced the term, eventually giving it a backronym: "Hold On for Dear Life." Today, HODL represents a long-term mindset and a commitment to weathering market ups and downs.?
HODL: A Long-Term Investment Strategy
HODL, short for "Hold On for Dear Life," is more than a meme — it reflects a long-term investment strategy and, for many, a deliberate crypto exit strategy that encourages holding onto crypto assets through market highs and lows.
This approach was first suggested in the original HODL post, where the author admitted they weren't good at timing the market and preferred to simply hold.
For many in the crypto space, especially maximalists, HODLing isn't just about resisting panic or reacting to FOMO—it’s a belief. They see crypto as the future of money, replacing fiat currencies entirely.
From that perspective, price swings don't matter—because in the long run, they believe their crypto holdings will become more valuable and potentially redefine the global financial system.
