Technical Definition

Base Currency

The base currency is the first asset listed in a trading pair.

By Crypto University Editorial
Trading PairQuote Currency

✦ Key Insight

It is the asset being bought or sold.

✕ Common Misconceptions

Reversing base and quote currencies

Detailed Explanation

How It Works

In BTC/USDT, Bitcoin is the base currency.

FAQs

Which asset's price moves?
The base asset.

In Practice

“ETH in ETH/BTC”

Dig Deeper

Trading Pair

A combination of two assets you can trade against each other (e.g., BTC/USDT means Bitcoin priced in USDT).

Quote Currency

The quote currency is the second asset in a trading pair.