A popular term used by firm believers in cryptocurrencies, HODL is short for "hold on for dear life." The term originated back in 2013 on the Bitcointalk forum, referring to a time when Bitcoin's price experienced very high levels of volatility.
Investors who continue to hold on to their crypto holdings through a bear market when prices register sharp declines are said to HODL. Becoming a popular term used on social media over the past few months, HODL has also gone on to refer to a trading strategy among investors who believe in the long-term potential of cryptocurrencies, refusing to sell out or short their trades when the price falls, or the market sentiment turns against cryptocurrencies.