Crypto glossary
Crypto OG
A crypto OG, from original gangster, is an early adopter respected for having been in the market through previous cycles, often since bitcoin's first years.
OG is borrowed from hip-hop slang, where it means a veteran who earned respect. In crypto it describes people who mined or bought bitcoin early, took part in the first exchanges and forums, survived several crashes or built foundational projects. The label carries credibility in debates, and accounts often cite the year they entered as a credential.
OGs are watched closely by markets. Wallets that have held bitcoin since its early years are tracked on-chain, and when long-dormant coins move, it makes news because it may signal selling. Some OGs are vocal maximalists, others early Ethereum contributors or veterans of the 2017 ICO boom.
Seniority is not the same as good judgement. Early adopters have also lost fortunes in hacks and failed projects, and some long-time figures have promoted questionable tokens. Claims of being early are easy to make online and hard to verify, so they should not replace evaluating what someone actually says.
Example
A wallet that last moved coins in 2011 suddenly transfers 10,000 BTC to an exchange. Analysts speculate that a crypto OG is taking profits, and the price dips on the news.