It’s crucial to understand that the terms cryptocurrencies and tokens are not interchangeable, and they carry distinct meanings that set them apart from each other. While they both exist on blockchain technology, they serve different purposes and operate under different rules.
Understanding the Core Differences
Cryptocurrencies essentially function as a medium of exchange, a store of value, and a unit of account. They are designed to be decentralized, meaning that they are not controlled by any central authority, and their value is determined by demand and supply.
On the other hand, tokens are digital assets that are created and managed by a centralized entity, like a company or an organization. They can represent anything from a share in a company to a specific asset or a utility in a specific ecosystem. Unlike crypto, their value is determined by the success and performance of the entity that issued them.
In the world of crypto, coins are a unique class of digital assets that serve as the native currency of their respective blockchains. Unlike tokens, which are created on top of existing blockchains, coins require the development of an entirely new blockchain from scratch, which is a complicated process.
While it’s possible to create a new blockchain with the help of pre-built and open-source solutions, it still requires a certain level of expertise and technical knowledge to get it up and running. This is why launching a new coin is not an easy feat, and only a few have been successful in doing so.
The most famous example of a coin is Bitcoin, which is powered by its own blockchain of the same name. All the other coins that came after BTC are referred to as altcoins. Each altcoin has its own standalone network and operates independently from other cryptocurrencies.
Crypto is powered through Blockchains
It’s a well-known fact that all cryptocurrencies are powered by their own unique blockchains, making them distinct digital assets in the crypto ecosystem. Coins that run on their own blockchains or on their forks are a prime example of this phenomenon.
After Bitcoin’s fork into two blockchains, BTC and Bitcoin Cash, the former remained as the native coin of the original chain, while a new coin was introduced for the forked chain, namely BCH. An independent blockchain allows for the creation of new functions and unique technical solutions, making it a vital factor in determining a coin’s intrinsic value.
The efficiency and security of the underlying blockchain technology play a significant role in this regard. In addition to acting as a medium of exchange, coins can also function as digital money, boasting attributes such as durability, security, portability, and a store of value. Certain highly renowned companies have even started accepting crypto coins as a medium of exchange.
Understanding Mining and its Relation to Crypto Coins
Mining is a major aspect that sets coins apart from other cryptocurrencies. In most blockchains, new coins are issued via a process called mining, where network participants validate transactions, for which they receive freshly minted coins as rewards. At the same time, users must pay network fees for each transaction, which are then spent on rewards.
There is a wide range of helpful mechanisms to verify transactions, including proof of stake and proof of work, with the validators of PoW networks using massive amounts of computing power to validate transactions. PoS, on the other hand, requires staking coin holdings to verify transactions, making it a more energy-efficient alternative.
How do Crypto Tokens Work
Tokens, a form of digital value, represent assets or utilities in the crypto world. While they share similarities with coins, there are some key differences that set them apart.
Unlike coins, tokens are not issued on their own blockchain, but rather on top of existing networks. In contrast to coins, tokens are not mined during transaction validation. instead, they are minted based on certain conditions set by the issuing project, with the total number of tokens minted varying depending on those conditions.
Tokens can serve various purposes, including raising funds or providing access to specific services. Some tokens even represent coins on different networks and are often called wrapped tokens. These tokens follow the price of the underlying asset.
Another popular type of token is the stablecoin, a token that tracks the value of a specific asset, such as the U.S. dollar. With their diverse applications and versatility, tokens have become an integral part of the crypto ecosystem, offering a wide range of options for investors and users alike.
Do People Need to Have Coding Skills for Generating Tokens
For those without coding skills, there are ready-made solutions available that make token generation a breeze, much like creating a website with a website builder. However, creating a token with advanced functionality requires a higher degree of technical skill. This involves deploying a smart contract, which is a self-executing digital contract with terms and conditions encoded on a blockchain.
Some networks allow for copying smart contract code from development platforms. Tokens serve various purposes in the crypto world, including raising capital for startups. Initial coin offerings are a popular method of token sale to investors, with the tokens serving as the currency of the project and granting access to various features for customers.
With their versatility and potential for functionality, tokens are a valuable asset in the world of cryptocurrencies.
Final Thoughts
The key differentiator between coins and tokens lies in whether or not they operate on their own blockchain. If a cryptocurrency has its own blockchain, it is considered a coin. Conversely, if it operates on an existing blockchain, it is classified as a token.
While coins primarily serve as a form of digital currency, tokens can have a wide range of use cases. They can represent assets, provide access to exclusive services, or even represent digital artwork. It’s important to note that the creation of a token requires a smart contract to be deployed on a blockchain, which can be more technically challenging than creating a coin.