Tokens and coins are frequently confused with one another and are assumed to be the same thing. This may be partly due to the vocabulary in the world of cryptography not always being as clear-cut as ideal. Additionally, coins and tokens do have separate capabilities despite the fact that they are both cryptocurrency units. at the very least, in part. Here we elaborate in detail on the basic difference between Token and Coin.
Although they have fundamental features, the phrases “token” and “coin” are sometimes used synonymously when referring to cryptocurrencies. You may use this knowledge to help you make wise judgements when using or investing in cryptocurrencies.
What is Token
Digital assets known as tokens are constructed on top of already-existing blockchains like Ethereum. The details of the agreement between the buyer and seller are directly encoded into lines of code in smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts. These tokens can stand in for a range of assets, such as utility tokens, equities, or rewards points. To put it another way, tokens are designed to stand in for something else rather than serving as a stand-alone form of payment.
For instance, Basic Attention currency (BAT) is a currency created on the Ethereum blockchain and intended for use in the ecosystem surrounding the Brave browser. It is employed as a utility token to pay viewers of advertisements and content producers for their work. BAT tokens are designed to speed up transactions within the Brave ecosystem rather than serving as a stand-alone form of payment.
A few of the tokens are listed below- ( check Coingecko)
Basic Attention Token (BAT)– A token used inside the ecosystem of the Brave browser to compensate users and content creators for viewing and producing content.
Chainlink (LINK)– is used to make it easier for data to be exchanged between blockchains and outside systems.
Uniswap (UNI)– token is used to support trade and liquidity provision on the decentralised Uniswap exchange.
Aave (AAVE) – Aave decentralised lending and borrowing platform.
Maker (MKR) is a token that the MakerDAO network uses to ensure the sustainability of Dai, its stablecoin.
NHF Token– A peer-to-peer crypto token with the largest community of traders.
Please bear in mind that this is only a small selection of all the coins and tokens that are available, that investing in cryptocurrencies entails risk, and that it is best to proceed cautiously and after doing an extensive study.
What is Coin
Coins, on the other hand, are independent cryptocurrencies with their own blockchain and the ability to function as a means of exchange like conventional money. They are convertible into products and services, and the market’s supply and demand determine their worth.
A coin like Bitcoin, for instance, can be used as a medium of exchange for goods and services and runs on its own blockchain. Only 21 million bitcoins will ever be produced, therefore it has a finite supply, and the market forces of supply and demand determine its price. Due to its independence from other blockchains or digital assets, Bitcoin is not a token.
A few of the coins are listed below-
Bitcoin (BTC)– The first and best-known cryptocurrency, was created as a decentralised digital money for peer-to-peer transactions.
Ethereum (ETH)– is a decentralised blockchain platform that facilitates the development of decentralised apps and smart contracts.
Litecoin (LTC)– is a cryptocurrency with faster transaction times than Bitcoin because it utilises a different mining algorithm.
Binance Coin (BNB)- A utility token used on the Binance cryptocurrency exchange to pay for trading commissions and other services.
Dogecoin (DOGE)– is a cryptocurrency that was initially created as a joke but has since grown significantly in popularity and value.
Summary
To summarize the difference between token and Coin, coins are standalone cryptocurrencies that may be used as a means of exchange, whereas tokens are digital assets that stand in for something else and are constructed on top of existing blockchains. Both users and investors should be aware of the distinction between tokens and coins in order to make wise choices regarding which cryptocurrencies to use and invest in.