Get the weekly summary of crypto market analysis, news, and forecasts! This Week’s Summary The crypto market ends the week at a total market capitalization of $2,17 trillion. Bitcoin continues to trade at around $62,300. Ethereum experiences no changes and stagnates at around $2,400. XRP is down by 2%, Solana by 1%, and Dogecoin by 3%. Almost all altcoins are trading in the red, with very few exceptions. The DeFi sector decreased the total value of protocols (TVL) to around…
Understanding the Difference Between Coins and Tokens
The cryptocurrency hype continues into 2021 with an unprecedented boom on significant coins such as Bitcoin and Ether. The crypto industry is evolving daily and will seemingly rule the traditional financial world. Despite the known volatility of digital assets like coins and tokens from their introduction, people are still anxious about them and want to try their luck by investing in them.
However, one thing that might confuse the new class of investors is the crypto industry terminologies. For instance, many people place coins and tokens under the digital coins umbrella and even use the words interchangeably. But, surprisingly, there is a big difference between the two, and every cryptocurrency enthusiast must know the difference. Read more to find out.
What are Crypto Coins?
Coins refer to digital assets that are native to their blockchain network. They do not exist in the real sense but operate and function within the database that tracks their transactions and verifies them through a network of computers.
The primary purpose of digital coins is to serve the functions of money and eradicate the problems associated with fiat currencies. Therefore, coin holders can use them to pay for products and services or save them as investments.
Going by the definition of currency, coins qualify to be regarded as cryptocurrencies. A currency is a medium of exchange, a store of wealth, and a unit of account. Bitcoin, the first digital coin, meets these characteristics, although other crypto coins like Ethereum still serve different functions. All other digital currencies other than Bitcoin are termed altcoins.
While coins are usually created from scratch with independent blockchain ecosystems, some exist by modifying existing codes. For instance, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin are created through Bitcoin codes, and others use Bitcoin code variations.
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts can own coins from mining or exchange fiat currencies for their crypto worth. New coins get generated through the crypto-mining process. Individuals or groups use high-power computers to execute complex mathematical computations to validate transactions and, in return, get rewarded with crypto coins.
What is a Token?
One reason for the confusion and interchangeability of coins and tokens is that they are both virtual assets representing a value. However, tokens have significant differences from coins. The first notable distinction is that tokens do not exist independently as coins but are decentralized apps hosted by an existing blockchain such as the Ethereum blockchain. In simpler terms, a token requires the infrastructure of an already existing coin to operate.
Unlike coins, which can be used as a medium of exchange, tokens are digital assets meant for a specific application on the blockchain network supporting them. They are digital assets with a value but not independent digital currencies as with the coins.
Creating a Token
Creating tokens is a much easier task when compared to cryptocurrency mining protocols. You do not have to build a blockchain network or modify existing codes from scratch. Instead, anyone can create a token by following a template on a chosen blockchain network, such as the Ethereum blockchain, and create functional tokens with smart contracts.
However, token developers must pay a fee using the blockchain network’s native coin. For instance, developers creating tokens on Ethereum need to have some Ether to pay miners to validate tokens. Token holders must always have some Ether reserves since the fee applies to token creation and all token transactions.
Once tokens are created, they are usually distributed through Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), a financing project by raising small amounts of capital from a large pool of investors. Investors use the underlying coin to buy tokens, making them part of the upcoming project, having garnered certain rights.
Tokens exist in four different forms, including security, utility, equity, and payment tokens, in which FINMA, the Swiss financial regulators, has issued definitions.
Utility tokens allow holders access to a specific proportion of decentralized applications. They are usually limited in supply, and their value is expected to increase in most cases.
Security tokens are also asset tokens and are usually distributed in a token sale where investors pool money in anticipation of profits.
Payment tokens serve the sole purpose of making payments, while equity tokens represent the shares of a specific company.
Summary
Coins and tokens have common attributes that make them easily interchangeable or confusing for some users. Yet, they have notable differences at the same time, although the difference may not be easy to note without a comprehensive guide to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
However, certain aspects are pretty straightforward. A coin, for instance, operates independently and does not require any other platform to exist. It’s a complete medium of exchange and can be used to exchange goods or services. On the other hand, Tokens depend on existing blockchain networks built by coins to operate. They are also mediums of exchange, but with a specific, focused purpose.
Further, you can easily exchange coins for their fiat worth when conducting business. However, it’d be challenging to cash tokens outside a particular project unless the entity has an agreement with a specific exchange. Both exist in the virtual world and rapidly evolve and transform the crypto industry.
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