At a fundamental level, both crypto coins and tokens are alike but they are two different things – all coins are tokens, but not all tokens are considered coins. The key difference between tokens vs cryptocurrency is based on their utility. There are certain things that tokens allow the holder to do, whereas some platforms may accept coins but may refuse to entertain tokens.
What is a Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrencies are decentralised, built on a blockchain or other Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), which allows an automated process and uses cryptography to secure the cryptocurrency’s underlying structure and network system.
Some of the best known cryptocurrencies include:
Bitcoin:
Founded in 2009, Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and is still the most commonly traded. The currency was developed by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009.
Ethereum:
Ethereum developed in 2015 is a blockchain platform with its own cryptocurrency, called Ether (ETH) or Ethereum.
Litecoin:
This currency is most similar to bitcoin but has moved more quickly to develop new innovations, including faster payments and processes to allow more transactions. Litecoin was developed by Charlie Lee in 2011.
Ripple:
Ripple is a distributed ledger system that was founded in 2012. Ripple can be used to track different kinds of transactions, not just cryptocurrency.
Non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies are collectively known as “altcoins” to distinguish them from the original.
What is a crypto-token?
Tokens are units of value that blockchain-based organizations or projects develop on top of existing blockchain networks. While they often share deep compatibility with the cryptocurrencies of that network, they are a wholly different digital asset class. These tokens can serve a multitude of functions on the platforms for which they are built, including participating in decentralized finance (DeFi) mechanisms, accessing platform-specific services, and playing games.
Crypto tokens built using Ethereum include DAI, LINK, COMP, and CryptoKitties, among others. There are several widely used token standards such as ERC-20 or ERC-721 for creating crypto tokens, the majority of which have been built on top of Ethereum.
Here are a few examples of tokens:
- DeFi tokens These are cryptocurrency-based protocols that aim to reproduce traditional financial-system functions (lending and saving, insurance, trading) has emerged in recent years. These protocols issue tokens that perform a wide variety of functions but can also be traded or held like any other cryptocurrency.
- Governance tokens These are specialized DeFi tokens that give holders a say in the future of a protocol or app, which (being decentralized) don’t have boards of directors or any other central authority. The popular savings protocol Compound, for example, issues all users a token called COMP.
- Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) NFTs represent ownership rights to a unique digital or real-world asset. They can be used to make it more difficult for digital creations to be copied and shared. They’ve also been used to issue a limited number of digital artworks or sell unique virtual assets like rare items in a video game.
- Security tokens Security tokens are a new class of assets that aim to be the crypto equivalent of traditional securities like stocks and bonds. Their main use case is to sell shares in a company or other enterprises without the broker.
What is the Difference Between Tokens vs Crypto-currencies?
The first-ever crypto coin was bitcoin and it has clear features that define a crypto coin and separate it from crypto token. These features that differentiate the two are:
Purpose
Crypto coins were a money replica in that Bitcoin was launched to replace fiat currency, while crypto tokens represent what a person owns.
Ownership and transfer
When a token is exchanged, it is physically moved from one place to another. Non-fungible tokens or NFTs are the best examples to understand this. They are proof of ownership. So the change of ownership is transferred manually. NFTs carry only sentimental or artistic value which can have only a single owner. In other ways, they are similar to utility tokens, except you can not necessitate any services.
On the contrary, crypto coins do not move as only account balance changes. It is very similar to bank transfers, where the real money is not moved as only the value is transferred. Both the banks acknowledge the change in balance.
The same thing happens when the crypto coins are transferred on a blockchain. The balance of the user’s crypto wallet changes and the transaction is noted in the blockchain. Another difference between the two is their representation. A crypto coin is the digital version of underlying value, which might be debatable, whereas tokens carry the asset or deeds.
One can buy tokens with coins, but some tokens can carry more value than any of them. For example, equity shares of a company. However, tokens have some restrictions and they may not have the liquidity a coin offers.
Transactions
Unlike crypto coins, tokens do not have their own blockchain as they operate on blockchains of crypto coins. Crypto coins operate on blockchains meaning that a blockchain keeps track of all transactions that involve its native crypto coin. For example, all Ether transactions are done on the Ethereum blockchain. Ether is the native token of the Ethereum blockchain. Every transaction is encrypted and is accessible by the network members only. On the other hand, many tokens run on Ethereum. Stablecoins, whose value is usually pegged with the US Dollar, is also a part of this category. The transactions of crypto coins are handled by blockchain, whereas tokens rely on smart contracts.
The key features in Crypto-currencies and Crypto-tokens are:
| Crypto-currencies | Crypto-tokens |
|---|---|
| Decentralised | Decentralised |
| Medium of exchange | Symbol of ownership |
| Uses cryptographic signatures | Uses cryptographic signatures |
| Built-in logic in protocol of a blockchain | Programmable logic in smart contract deployed to a blockchain |
Cryptocurrency fraud and scams
Unfortunately, cryptocurrency crime is on the rise. Cryptocurrency scams include:
- Fake websites: Bogus sites which feature fake testimonials and crypto jargon promising massive, guaranteed returns, provided you keep investing.
- Virtual Ponzi schemes: Cryptocurrency criminals promote non-existent opportunities to invest in digital currencies and create the illusion of huge returns by paying off old investors with new investors’ money. One scam operation, BitClub Network, raised more than $700 million before its perpetrators were indicted in December 2019.
- “Celebrity” endorsements: Scammers pose online as billionaires or well-known names who promise to multiply your investment in a virtual currency but instead steal what you send. They may also use messaging apps or chat rooms to start rumours that a famous businessperson is backing a specific cryptocurrency. Once they have encouraged investors to buy and driven up the price, the scammers sell their stake, and the currency reduces in value.
- Romance scams: The FBI warns of a trend in online dating scams, where tricksters persuade people they meet on dating apps or social media to invest or trade in virtual currencies. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Centre fielded more than 1,800 reports of crypto-focused romance scams in the first seven months of 2021, with losses reaching $133 million.
Conclusion
As the blockchain industry continues to mature, the number of unique digital assets will only continue to grow in accordance to the multifaceted needs of all ecosystem participants ranging from enterprise partners to individual users. Given that creating new assets within the digital world is less restrictive than in the physical realm, these digital assets are widely expected to improve the way countless industries operate, interact, and generate value, thereby enabling a vast array of new social and economic possibilities.
One quick way to decide which one you should use is to pay attention to what you’re buying. If it’s a product, most often, you would need coins. If it’s a service, there are usually utility tokens you can use.
