Starting out
CUSIP
A nine-character code identifying a security issued in the United States or Canada.
How it works
CUSIP predates ISIN and is still the identifier used across North American settlement systems. The first six characters identify the issuer, the next two the specific issue, and the last is a check digit.
A US ISIN is usually just the CUSIP with a "US" prefix and a check digit appended, which is why the two look related.
Related terms
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Educational reference only. Nothing here is investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell anything, and tax treatment depends on your own circumstances and the country you are in.