A cryptocurrency token is a token used to represent a fungible or tradeable asset or a utility that resides on its own blockchain. A token can also serve as a substitute for other things.
A cryptocurrency token is a token used to represent a fungible or tradeable asset or a utility that resides on its own blockchain. A cryptocurrencytoken can also serve as a substitute for other things.
The technical, orand traditional, definition of a "token" in blockchain and cryptocurrency ishas been as another word for "cryptocurrency" or "cryptoasset." But, as the blockchain ecosystem and use cases have increased, the word token has taken on more meanings, and could be better considered as an umbrella term to describe digital assets that run on its own blockchain, and digital assets that run on top of another cryptocurrencies'cryptocurrency's blockchain. This gives tokens a largermore extensive range of potential functions, such as governance, video game items, orand identification vehicles. But all tokens can be traded or held.
Further, cryptocurrencyCryptocurrency tokens can be differentiated from digital assets, although some definitions include tokens and digital assets as a single definition. Often,Even evenin these definitions, see tokens are typically seen as a subcategory of a digital asset, asbecause a digital asset can be broadly understood as a non-tangible asset created, traded, and stored in digital format, which includes, in a blockchain context, cryptocurrency coins and tokens. In that way, a token is a more specific unit of value developed on top of blockchain networks, and often sharingshares compatibility with the cryptocurrency coins of the network. Put simply, all cryptocurrency coins and tokens are digital assets, but not all digital assets are cryptocurrency coins or tokens.
Often tokensTokens are typically described in terms of their standards, whichwith widely used token standards includingstandards—including the ERC-20 token standard, which allows the creation of tokens on Ethereum's ecosystem of decentralized apps. OrAnd ERC-721, which was designed to create non-fungible tokens that are individually unique and cannot be interchanged with similar tokens.
Further, tokensTokens are programmable, permissionless, trustless, and transparent. This means tokens are meant to run on software protocols, composed of smart contracts, which outline the features and functions of the token as well as the network's rules of engagement. Permissionless describes the ability for anyone to participate in the system, whileand trustless descibesdescribes the lack of one central authority offering control over a system. Instead, the token and the blockchain run on rules predefined in the network protocol. And transparency implies that the rules of the token are viewable and, verifiable, and followed.
The differentiation between a cryptocurrency token and a cryptocurrency coin is perhaps simpler. Although cryptocurrency coins were largely understood as, and could continuehave tohistorically bebeen understood to a degree to be, cryptocurrency tokens, they have been differentiated with the expansion of the roles of cryptocurrency tokens and the more limited role cryptocurrency coins continue to inhabit.
In this expanded context, cryptocurrency coins are considered a native asset of a blockchain network that can be traded, used as a medium of exchange, and used as a store of value. A coin is issued by the blockchain protocol on which it runs, and this is why it is referred to as that network's native currency. In this way, coins can be used to pay transaction fees, and to incentivize users to keep a network secure.
Coins are also used to exchange value, allowing a coin holder of a coin to exchange the coin for goods or services, can be heldhold toit increasefor inincreased value (if the coin's native network increases in value), or can beexchange exchangedit for a fiat currency. Typically, a coin is decentralized and relyrelies on code (smart contracts) to manage issuance and transactiontransactions; theyit areis built on a blockchain and areis used to enforce the rules of the system in an automated and trustless fashion; areand it is secured using cryptography to further secure the underlying network.
Tokens can be used in a variety ofvarious ways, unlike coins, which have a fixed use case. Tokens can be held for value, traded, staked to earn interest, and used with decentralized applications (dApps). Often, even though a token may be built on top of a blockchain, like Ethereum, the token will only be capable of being used on dApps or DeFi projects built on the same blockchain, with limited interoperability between blockchains.
For example, an ERC-20 token will be used mostly with other DeFi projects and dApps built on the Ethereum blockchain, but cannot be used in place of the Ether coin, which is the native cryptocurrency coin of the Ethereum blockchain used for staking and governance.
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A cryptocurrency token is a token used to represent a fungible or tradeable asset or a utility that resides on its own blockchain. A cryptocurrency can also serve as a substitute for other things.
The token is very similar to a digital signature. But if the digital signature is regulated by government law then the token is not. It created many problems for using tokens in business and everyday life. If you bought a token desfor a car, that confers your right to own the automobile, you would not get it through the court. That means, the first holder of the token can sell it for you but must not give you real assets.
The main attribute of the token against the non-fungible token (NFT) is standardization. You can create a token for fiat currency, gold, oil, and other things that have a definite standard. But for non-standard things like pieces of art, second-hand goods, etc, using NFT.
Usually, the tokens issuing on their own or third-party blockchain networks. That created different types with individual characteristics: TRC-20 (Tron), QRC-20 (Qtum), NEO-5 (NEO), ERC-20 (Ethereum), BEP-20 (Binance).
The technical, or traditional, definition of a "token" in blockchain and cryptocurrency is as another word for "cryptocurrency" or "cryptoasset." But, as the blockchain ecosystem and use cases have increased, the word token has taken on more meanings, and could be better considered an umbrella term to describe digital assets that run on its own blockchain, and digital assets that run on top of another cryptocurrencies' blockchain. This gives tokens a larger range of potential functions, such as governance, video game items, or identification vehicles. But all tokens can be traded or held.
Further, cryptocurrency tokens can be differentiated from digital assets, although some definitions include tokens and digital assets as a single definition. Often, even these definitions, see tokens as a subcategory of a digital asset, as a digital asset can be broadly understood as a non-tangible asset created, traded, and stored in digital format, which includes, in a blockchain context, cryptocurrency coins and tokens. In that way, a token is a more specific unit of value developed on top of blockchain networks, and often sharing compatibility with the cryptocurrency coins of the network. Put simply, all cryptocurrency coins and tokens are digital assets, but not all digital assets are cryptocurrency coins or tokens.
Often tokens are described in terms of their standards, which widely used token standards including the ERC-20 token standard, which allows the creation of tokens on Ethereum's ecosystem of decentralized apps. Or ERC-721, which was designed to create non-fungible tokens that are individually unique and cannot be interchanged with similar tokens.
Further, tokens are programmable, permissionless, trustless, and transparent. This means tokens are meant to run on software protocols, composed of smart contracts, which outline the features and functions of the token as well as the network's rules of engagement. Permissionless describes the ability for anyone to participate in the system while trustless descibes the lack of one central authority offering control over a system. Instead, the token and the blockchain run on rules predefined in the network protocol. And transparency implies that the rules of the token are viewable and verifiable, and followed.
The differentiation between a cryptocurrency token and coin is perhaps simpler. Although cryptocurrency coins were largely understood as, and could continue to be understood to a degree to be, cryptocurrency tokens, they have been differentiated with the expansion of the roles of cryptocurrency tokens and the more limited role cryptocurrency coins continue to inhabit.
In this expanded context, cryptocurrency coins are considered a native asset of a blockchain network that can be traded, used as a medium of exchange, and used as a store of value. A coin is issued by the blockchain protocol on which it runs, and this is why it is referred to as that network's native currency. In this way, coins can be used to pay transaction fees, and to incentivize users to keep a network secure.
Coins are also used to exchange value, allowing a holder of a coin to exchange the coin for goods or services, can be held to increase in value (if the coin's native network increases in value), or can be exchanged for a fiat currency. Typically, a coin is decentralized and rely on code (smart contracts) to manage issuance and transaction; they are built on a blockchain and are used to enforce the rules of the system in an automated and trustless fashion; are secured using cryptography to further secure the underlying network.
Tokens can be used in a variety of ways, unlike coins which have a fixed use case. Tokens can be held for value, traded, staked to earn interest, and used with decentralized applications (dApps). Often, even though a token may be built on top of a blockchain, like Ethereum, the token will only be capable of being used on dApps or DeFi projects built on the same blockchain, with limited interoperability between blockchains.
For example, an ERC-20 token will be used mostly with other DeFi projects and dApps built on the Ethereum blockchain, but cannot be used in place of the Ether coin, which is the native cryptocurrency coin of the Ethereum blockchain used for staking and governance.
Tokens are often thought of as being easier to develop than coins, and their use cases have grown in part due to this and due to their use in DeFi organizations; for example, they have seen increasing application as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) used in open markets or in video games, and they have been used for security or identity tokens, issued to verify users. From this has grown a large group of other types of tokens:
As more enterprises wade into the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, and as the possibilities of blockchain technology, DeFi, and dApps continue to grow, the potential use cases for tokens continue to be discovered or developed. Some use cases include:
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A token can have various definitions. Tokens exist in currency systems and computing.
The term cryptocurrency token can be used to represent many different forms of "tokenized data" that represents a cryptographic string of letters and numbers. For example, a cryptocurrency token can be used to describe a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, or be used to refer to a digital asset existing on another cryptocurrencies blockchain such as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain. If no specific context is given a token should be assumed to represent a cryptocurrency that exists on another cryptocurrencies blockchain.
The token is very similar to a digital signature. But if the digital signature is regulated by government law then the token is not. It created many problems for using tokens in business and everyday life. If you bought a token desfor a car, that confers your right to own the automobile, you would not get it through the court. That means, the first holder of the token can sell it for you but must not give you real assets.
The main attribute of the token against the non-fungible token (NFT) is standardization. You can create a token for fiat currency, gold, oil, and other things that have a definite standard. But for non-standard things like pieces of art, second-hand goods, etc, using NFT.
Usually, the tokens issuing on their own or third-party blockchain networks. That created different types with individual characteristics: TRC-20 (Tron), QRC-20 (Qtum), NEO-5 (NEO), ERC-20 (Ethereum), BEP-20 (Binance).
The term cryptocurrency token can be used to represent many different forms of "tokenized data" that represents a cryptographic string of letters and numbers. For example, a cryptocurrency token can be used to describe a cryptocurrency such as BitcoinBitcoin, or be used to refer to a digital asset existing on another cryptocurrencies blockchain such as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain. If no specific context is given a token should be assumed to represent a cryptocurrency that exists on another cryptocurrencies blockchain.