Crypto Coins vs. Tokens: The Difference Explained

Coins and tokens are buzzwords often heard in the blockchain margin. What is a token? What’s the difference between coins and tokens? Which is better? In this blog, we'll explore the difference between coins and tokens, their uses, and fantastic examples of each.

What is a crypto coin?

The crypto coin is often designed to function as a digital currency, operate on its blockchain network, or as a separate entity. They possess their independent network, and transactions involving coins are recorded on their respective blockchains. Examples of crypto coins include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin(LTC).

What are Coins Used for?

Coins serve several purposes within the crypto ecosystem. They are utilized as a medium of exchange for buying goods and services, similar to traditional currencies in daily transactions such as the USD or the SGD. Additionally, coins can be held as an investment or store of value, like gold, with the potential for their price to appreciate over time. Some cryptocurrencies even facilitate users to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications or enable smart contracts.

Popular Crypto Coins

Given that there are hundreds of crypto coins on the market, it is critical to investigate the major crypto coins that have acquired widespread awareness and adoption:

• Bitcoin (BTC): BTC, Known as "digital gold," is the earliest crypto coin, by an anonymous individual or group named Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. Bitcoin paved the way for the whole crypto and blockchain industry and remains the most valuable and recognized cryptocurrency. Cloud mine BTC at Bitdeer today!
• Litecoin (LTC): Established by Charlie Lee, Litecoin offers faster transaction speeds and a larger community, making it more accessible for daily transactions. It is easier for enterprises to accept Litecoin payments via LitePay. Merchants can take payments in Litecoin online and offline in individuals and convert the crypto to fiat currency instantaneously due to the service.
• Ethereum Classic (ETC): After a hack on the Ethereum network in 2016, Ethereum Classic was established. It is an open-source and decentralized platform based on the blockchain network, which supports smart contracts. There are 141.2 million ETC in the crypto market as of May 31, 2023.

What is a crypto token?

In contrast to crypto coins, crypto tokens rely on an existing blockchain infrastructure, such as Ethereum's or Binance Smart Chain, and do not function on their blockchain network. Crypto tokens, in other words, are established through smart contracts and are frequently used to represent crypto assets or capabilities within a specific ecosystem or project. They can have a variety of utilities, such as service access, voting rights, or the capacity to swap crypto assets.

What are Tokens Used for?

Tokens serve multiple goals within their respective projects. They can reflect ownership of actual property like real estate, artwork, or mining rigs, provide access to decentralized applications (DApps), or serve as a means of exchange inside a specific ecosystem. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have also received a lot of interest, considering that they symbolize unique digital goods like digital art, collectibles, or game assets.

Popular Crypto Tokens

If you're not sure what the distinction between coins and tokens is in the cryptocurrency market, here are some examples of tokens:

• Binance Coin (BNB): The native token of the Binance exchange, or BNB, offers reduced trading fees, access to token sales, and more. The cryptocurrency token operates on the Ethereum network via the standard ERC-20 protocol.
• Chainlink (LINK): Chainlink is a decentralized Oracle network that connects smart contracts with actual data, created by Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis. LINK tokens are used to pay for data services and incentivize node operators to provide accurate information.
• Decentraland (MANA): MANA is the native crypto token used for transactions within the Decentraland, a virtual reality platform where users can buy, sell, and develop virtual land and digital assets.

Can a token become a coin?

Tokens are first produced on existing blockchain platforms, but a token might evolve into a separate coin. This procedure frequently entails the token migrating to its blockchain network, separating itself from the initial infrastructure that enabled its formation.

Such transitions are typically driven by the need for increased independence, scalability, or unique features that are not achievable within the constraints of the original blockchain. Cardano (ADA), Ethereum Classic(ETC), Tron (TRX), and Zilliqa (ZIL) are examples of successful migrations from the Ethereum blockchain.

What’s the main difference between coins and tokens?

The table below summarizes the main differences between coins and tokens:

Coin vs. token - Which is better?

The choice between tokens and coins depends on the specific context and use case. Coins are generally more orthodox and widely recognized, making them suitable for general transactions and stores of value. On the other hand, tokens are often designed to serve a specific purpose within a project or ecosystem, offering unique functionalities and utility. Deciding which is "better" finally comes down to individual intentions and exhaustive demands.

Mine crypto coins with Bitdeer today!

You can navigate the thrilling crypto world by understanding the differences between coins and tokens. Whether you choose to invest, trade, cloud mine or mine them, crypto assets have undoubtedly transformed the way we perceive and interact with currency in the digital age. Log in to Bitdeer today and discover more about crypto mining.