AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EMERGENCE AND EVOLUTION OF CRYPTOCURRENCY DISCOURSE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study examines the emergence and evolution of cryptocurrency discourse, focusing on its linguistic features and societal impact, using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as the theoretical framework. The research traces the development of cryptocurrency language from Bitcoin’s 2009 introduction to contemporary discussions on Twitter (2023–2025), analyzing key linguistic patterns—metaphors (“moon”), ideological framing (“decentralization”), technical jargon (“blockchain”), slang (“HODL”), hashtags (#Bitcoin), and persuasive rhetoric (“buy the dip”). It explores how this discourse reflects and shapes societal, economic, and technological factors, particularly in Nigeria’s context of banking distrust and youth-led crypto trading. Data were collected from Twitter posts, analyzed for ideological and transformative roles. Findings reveal that cryptocurrency discourse constructs libertarian ideologies, promotes decentralized finance, and contrasts with traditional financial language’s formality. The study contributes to linguistic research on technological innovation, offering insights for Nigerian traders, educators, and policymakers navigating the crypto landscape, and advancing CDA’s application to digital communication.
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