Token standards are essentially a set of rules, protocols, and specifications that delineate how digital tokens should behave and interact within a given blockchain environment. These standards play a fundamental role in shaping the functionality and behavior of tokens, providing a framework that ensures uniformity, compatibility, and ease of integration across various blockchain applications. 

These standards are pivotal in ensuring consistency, interoperability, and seamless usage of tokens across a myriad of applications, wallets, and platforms. Understanding token standards is essential for navigating the complex landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital asset management. 

Several blockchain platforms have introduced token standards, each tailored to address specific needs and use cases. Here are some of the most notable token standards associated with prominent blockchain ecosystems.

ERC-20

ERC-20, short for Ethereum Request for Comments 20, is the most widely adopted token standard on the Ethereum blockchain. This standard outlines a set of rules and guidelines that define how a token contract should be implemented, allowing for seamless integration with various applications, exchanges, and wallets within the Ethereum ecosystem.

ERC-721

Contrary to ERC-20, ERC-721 is a standard that enables the creation and management of unique and indivisible digital assets known as non-fungible tokens (NFT). This standard has revolutionized the digital space, providing a framework for the creation and trading of one-of-a-kind digital assets, such as digital art, collectibles, gaming items, and virtual real estate. ERC-721 tokens have garnered significant attention for their ability to represent ownership and authenticity of rare and exclusive assets on the blockchain.

BEP-20

BEP-20 is the main token standard of the BNB Smart Chain (BSC). It serves a similar purpose to ERC-20 but operates within the BNB Chain ecosystem. This standard allows for the creation and management of tokens that can be seamlessly integrated with various decentralized applications and platforms within the BSC network. BEP-20 tokens have gained traction due to their low transaction fees and rapid transaction confirmation times, making them a preferred choice for millions of users and thousands of cryptocurrency projects and developers.

BEP-2

BEP-2 is a technical standard for the issuance and implementation of tokens on the BNB Beacon Chain. This standard defines a set of rules that tokens should follow to function in the BNB Beacon Chain ecosystem.

SPL

SPL provides a set of rules and protocols that define how tokens should behave and interact on the Solana network. Compliant with these standards, tokens on Solana, including its native SOL token, exhibit interoperability with Solana wallets and smart contracts.

Learn more: What Are Token Standards?