Understand what a Token is and the classification within the cryptocurrency ecosystem

2025-12-26 11:08:39

The cryptocurrency market is increasingly developing with a series of new concepts that many people can easily confuse. Between token and coin are two terms that are frequently used but have important differences that every investor should understand.

What is a coin in the blockchain world?

Coin (or altcoin when referring to types other than Bitcoin) are digital currency units built on blockchain technology, with core functions similar to traditional money - for buying and selling, exchanging value, and storing assets.

Bitcoin is the most famous coin on the market, created to provide a decentralized payment system. Besides Bitcoin, types like Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE) are also widely recognized coins.

All coins that are not Bitcoin are collectively called altcoins, including ETH, BNB, LUNA, XRP, and many others. They operate on separate or public blockchains, mainly serving as a means of transaction.

What is a token in the crypto world?

Token (or also called a digital asset) are digital assets issued on an existing blockchain, representing ownership or access rights to certain services or goods.

To make it easier to understand, if blockchain is a country, then token is the currency circulating within that country. Major blockchains like Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Solana, Fantom, Avalanche each have their own tokens serving their ecosystem.

Specific examples of tokens:

Exchanges: BNB (Binance), UNI (Uniswap)
Games: SAND (The Sandbox), MANA (Decentraland)
Notable NFTs: CryptoPunks, Phanta Bear

Clear distinction between Coin and Token

Criteria	Coin	Token
Basis	Has its own independent blockchain (Layer 1)	Built on an existing blockchain (Layer 2, 3)
Purpose	Functions like traditional money	Diverse: payment, governance, utility
Scope of use	Exchange across the entire blockchain community	Limited within the project’s ecosystem

Although there are clear differences, in daily cryptocurrency transactions, users often do not need to distinguish them in detail. However, if you want to delve deeper into blockchain and smart investing, mastering these concepts is essential.

Popular types of tokens today

Payment Token (Token for payments)

These are tokens with functions similar to currency - used for exchange, storing value, and as a unit of account. Bitcoin and Litecoin are typical examples, although they can also be considered coins.

Utility Token (Utility tokens)

This type of token is designed specifically for each blockchain, creating an internal economy that operates independently. Utility token holders can use them to purchase special items, receive discounts, or participate in staking to earn interest.

Governance Token (Governance tokens)

Governance tokens are created to grant rights to holders to activate a voice in the future development of a protocol. They function like voting ballots, allowing the community to vote on important project decisions.

NFT (Non-Fungible Token)

NFTs are unique digital assets that cannot be replaced. Each NFT has its own attributes, with ownership publicly recorded on the blockchain (for example, on Ethereum), making forgery or disputes impossible.

Understanding the differences between these types of tokens will help you make more informed investment decisions in this increasingly complex cryptocurrency market.

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