Coins, Tokens and Currencies - What is what?

Coins, Tokens and Currencies - What is what?

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The terms 'coin' and 'token' are often used interchangeably, but did you know they're as different as apples and oranges? While the term currency is widely used to describe the entire class of digital assets, we need to take a closer look at coins and tokens to understand the fundamental workings of blockchain.

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The Crypto Fundamentals: Coins and Tokens

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Both coins and tokens are digital assets. At their core, they use blockchain technology, a decentralised digital ledger, for secure transactions. They're like the yin and yang of the crypto universe, interrelated yet fundamentally different.

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What Are Crypto Coins?

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Crypto coins are the core of their own blockchain universe. Think of bitcoin (BTC) - the godfather of all cryptocurrencies - as a perfect example. Bitcoin operates on its own blockchain. This independence is what makes it a 'coin'.

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So why would anyone want to maintain these blockchain networks? Enter the miners and validators, the unsung heroes of the crypto world. They crunch numbers, solve complex equations and keep the network secure, all to validate transactions. And for their hard work? They earn the native coin of the blockchain they're supporting. This incentive is the heartbeat of every blockchain.

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There are various other coins, often referred to as 'altcoins', designed for myriad purposes. Ripple (XRP), for example, aims to streamline the traditional banking system, while stablecoins such as USDT peg their value to a fiat currency such as the USD. And let's not forget the memecoins like Dogecoin, born out of internet culture and memes!

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What Are Crypto Tokens?

If coins are like main characters in novels, tokens are like supporting roles - they don't have their own blockchain, but live on existing ones. Ethereum is a blockbuster example of a network teeming with tokens. It hosts a variety of digital assets that adhere to specific standards, such as ERC-20, ERC-721 and ERC-1155, thanks to its smart contract capabilities.

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Tokens are incredibly versatile. They can be anything from an in-game currency, such as SAND in The Sandbox game, to governance tokens that allow you to vote on protocol changes in a Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO). 

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Tokens are the LEGO blocks of the blockchain world, fitting into different decentralised applications (dApps) and DeFi platforms. You can exchange them, lend them, and even link them to real-world assets like gold. In essence, tokens bring with them a kaleidoscope of functionality that goes beyond simply serving as currency.

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Tokens have played an irreplaceable role in the rise of decentralised finance (DeFi). Platforms such as Uniswap have changed the way we think about financial transactions, using tokens for everything from providing liquidity to paying fees. 

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As well as being tradable assets, many tokens serve specific functions within their ecosystems. Whether it's in-game currencies, loyalty points or governance voting rights, utility tokens are the building blocks of Web3, the next generation of internet applications.

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Who's to say you won't create the next revolutionary token? With smart contracts, the possibilities are endless. You don't need to build a whole new blockchain, you can create your token for any purpose you can think of!

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Wrapping Up

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So, in a nutshell, coins have their own blockchain and are mainly used as currency or a store of value. Tokens, on the other hand, reside on existing blockchains and can perform a variety of functions thanks to smart contracts.

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Whether you're a crypto veteran or a newbie looking to dip your toes into the digital asset pool, understanding the difference between coins and tokens is your stepping stone to navigating this fascinating, ever-evolving landscape.