Top 10 Financial Terms of 2017: Investopedia

This was one of the "buzziest" words in 2017, according to Investopedia. Firms across all industries were talking about adopting machine learning and artificial intelligence. This was the year of building AI technology, while 2018 will be the year the industry sees it in application.

(Related: 5 Trends to Watch in Fintech, Wealthtech and Regtech in 2018)

6. MiFID II

This is the newest European regulation that financial firms must comply with by Jan. 3, 2018. Financial services firms are spending tons of money to adapt to these new regulations, which are designed to make investing safer and more transparent.

5. Trumpcare

President Donald Trump made repealing the Affordable Care Act one of his top priorities, trying three times to pass a repeal-and-replace bill. Obamacare still lives to fight another day, but Republicans repealed the individual mandate, which requires all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a tax penalty, in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

4. ICO

Initial coin offerings have been one of the most talked about terms not only in the financial space, but also in the mainstream media. Although more than $3 billion has been raised in ICOs, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies have cracked down on the offerings. Even so, investment flows have not slowed amidst the cryptocurrency boom.

3. FAANG

Jim Cramer coined this term to represent the top performing stocks in the market, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google (Alphabet). These five companies continue to dominate financial headlines as their market caps race toward $1 trillion.

2. Blockchain

Blockchain is poised to disrupt multiple industries, according to Investopedia. It noted that $327 million was invested in blockchain startups this year with major backing from major brands such as Google, Goldman Sachs and Citi, according to CB Insights.

1. Bitcoin

This was the year of Bitcoin mania, its aggressive growth dominating the minds of the media and the financial services sector. The cryptocurrency started 2017 at $1,000 and since then, has risen more than 1,500%. During the year, the first Bitcoin billionaires were minted, and Bitcoin futures were introduced. Investopedia said that with just 1,000 users owning more than 40% of the currency, according to various reports, investors are carefully watching to see whether the price will fall or continue to rally.

"We have seen investing manias before, but the hype around Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and the blockchain have created unprecedented user interest on Investopedia, and across all media in 2017," Caleb Silver, Investopedia's editor-in-chief, said in the statement.

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