<p>It means to not trade with your bitcoin, and hold to it instead for the long term.</p><p><br></p><p>The origin is from a 2013 thread in bitcointalk titled "I AM HODLING", available here: <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=375643.0" target="_blank">https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=375643.0</a></p>

<p>Hotdogs Optional, Donuts Later</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">&nbsp;HODL" originated as a misspelling of "HOLD" (written in all caps), in an online post by an early Bitcoin investor. But "HODL", as it has gained popularity among crypto enthusiasts, has come to mean "</span><strong style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">hold on for dear life</strong></p>

<p>Hold on for dear life!</p>

<p>It means Hold on for dear life! Also can be understood as being invested for long term</p>