ERC Token Standards: What are They?

Even though there are dozens of unique cryptocurrencies, the majority of them are developed using the same principles. The main features and characteristics of blockchain tokens are determined by these specifications, which are known as token standards.

What Do Token Standards Provide?

Compatibility

Any products developed in accordance with this standard can work together thanks to the token standard. If the project launches a token built on the token standard, the new token will work with already-existing platforms and programs, such as wallets. For instance, ERC-20 assets are compatible with other products and services created using this token standard.

The ERC-20 token can thus also be traded for another token that adheres to this standard. Without token standards, trading multiple cryptocurrencies would be more challenging. Instead of using one wallet for numerous distinct cryptocurrencies in this scenario, you would need to build separate wallets for each token.

Connectivity

Programmers can reuse current components to build new products since connection systems exist. This also relates to the production of tokens: the usage of token standards speeds up the development of fundamental features, freeing up time for innovations and experiments.

Effectiveness

Moreover, token standards streamline how smart contracts communicate with one another. The ability to track produced tokens is provided by smart contracts that apply token standards and tokens themselves.

Smart contracts may track tokens more effectively with the help of key functionalities found in token standards like ERC-20 and BEP-20, such as address search and token balance mapping. The programmer might, for instance, verify the ERC-20 token's translation history and other information using the contract's binary application interface (ABI).

The Main Token Standards

Here are the main token standards everyone should know about:

BEP-20

BNB Smart Chain (BSC) tokens adhere to the BEP-20 standard. Initially, it was developed as a technological requirement for BSC. BEP-20 gives developers the ability to launch a variety of tokens, such as linked currencies, utility tokens, stablecoins, and others. Blacklist, mining, and the stoppage of token burning are further features introduced by the BEP-20 standard.

This is a list of the key functions of the BEP-20 standard:

• TotalSupply. This parameter determines the general offer for a certain BEP-20 token
• BalanceOf. By using it, it's possible to define the token's balance.
• Transfer. With Transfer, users can transfer token ownership to other people.
• TransferFrom. By using a smart contract, the TransferFrom command enables you to send tokens to third parties on behalf of the user.
• Approve. This one is known as determining the quantity of tokens a smart contract can withdraw.
• Allowance. It specifies which external addresses are permitted to use tokens.

ERC-20

So what are ERC token standards?

The ERC-20 token standard, which was first put forth by Fabian Vogelsteller in 2015 and has since become the industry standard for token developers of all kinds, including virtual tokens, staking tokens, and virtual currencies, has become the industry standard.

The ERC-20 token standard is used for the development of interchangeable tokens that are subject to certain guidelines. For instance, if you produce 1000 ERC-20 token units, each one will have the same functionality.

In comparison to the BEP-20 standard, the ERC-20 standard is extremely comparable. The blockchain networks they are a part of vary, though. Ethereum's blockchain utilizes ERC-20, whereas the BNB Smart Chain utilizes BEP-20 (BSC).

ERC-721

Now, a few words about the non-fungible token standards. Are you aware that the majority of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Ethereum are based on the same specification, ERC-721? Your NFT was probably made utilizing this system, whether it was for a restricted NFT collection or the Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP). Yet, what makes NFT special? Each ERC-721 token is required to have a distinct tokenId, in accordance with one of the fundamental rules.

Transfer of tokens, current balance, general offers, and uniqueness are all ERC-721 functionalities.

ERC-1155

With token standards development, one scheme has appeared to meet the cryptocurrency industry's need for several types of tokens. Utility tokens like BNB and NFT can be made using the standard of multiple tokens, ERC-1155, which enables the creation of many different kinds of digital assets.

ERC-1155 provides batch processing of tokens, which includes the following among other things:

• Transfer of the consignment. The transfer of a consignment is the simultaneous transfer of many assets
• Batch balance. Thanks to the batch balance, it's possible to acquire multiple assets at once.
• Batch confirmation. The ability to confirm the sending of all tokens in a batch to the specified address.
• Support for NFT. A token is considered NFT if only one copy of it is present.

Limitations of Token Standards and Their Solutions

The essential capabilities of tokens made using the same standard are the same, and they can freely communicate with one another, whereas tokens created using different standards can only occasionally do so. They are not always interoperable with one another because the industry has distinct regulations governing the various token standards. As a result, tokens created in accordance with various standards may occasionally be unable to coexist on the same platform, engage in communication, or conduct transactions. A problem in using BTC on the Ethereum network may have affected owners of other cryptocurrencies. To get rid of these inconveniences, the creators have developed a new kind of token named wrapped tokens.

What are wrapped tokens? A wrapped token is a cryptocurrency whose worth is based on the value of another object. The original item is stored in a "wrapper," a type of virtual vault that enables the creation of a wrapped copy on another blockchain.

Conclusion

Token standards are kind of a rule set for token creation and their implementation based on the blockchain. Now, the industry has a number of token standards in place, along with several creative fixes like blockchain bridges and wrapping techniques that aid in removing token incompatibility.

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