What does HODL mean?
Hold On for Dear Life
Detailed Explanation
'HODL' is a slang term in the cryptocurrency community that means to hold onto an investment rather than selling it, especially during a volatile or declining market. It represents a long-term investment philosophy that ignores short-term price fluctuations. While originating from a typo of 'hold,' it is often retrofitted as the backronym 'Hold On for Dear Life.'
Usage Examples
“The price of Bitcoin is crashing, but I'm going to HODL.”
“Don't panic sell, just HODL and wait for the recovery.”
“My strategy is simple: buy and HODL.”
Origin & History
The term originated from a 2013 post on the BitcoinTalk forum by a user named GameKyuubi. In a drunken, typo-ridden rant about his poor trading skills and the falling price of Bitcoin, he famously wrote 'I AM HODLING.' The typo was embraced by the community and became a rallying cry for long-term investors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HODL a serious investment strategy?
Within the crypto community, it is treated as a legitimate, albeit simple, strategy that advocates for belief in the long-term potential of an asset over short-term trading. Outside of crypto, it is seen more as a meme.