Ethereum ERC-20 Tokens

When working with Ethereum ERC-20, the most common token standard on the Ethereum blockchain that defines how fungible tokens are created, transferred, and interacted with. Also known as ERC‑20 token standard, it has become the backbone of most DeFi projects, airdrops, and tokenized assets. Ethereum ERC-20 tokens let developers launch new coins without building a whole blockchain from scratch. Ethereum ERC-20 tokens enable standardized token creation on the Ethereum blockchain, which means any wallet or exchange that supports the standard can instantly handle a new token. Since its launch in 2015, the ERC‑20 standard has powered millions of tokens, ranging from stablecoins to governance tokens, making it a cornerstone of today’s crypto economy.

The Ethereum blockchain, a public, permissionless network that runs smart contracts and supports billions of transactions daily provides the environment where ERC‑20 tokens live. These tokens are implemented via smart contracts, self‑executing code that enforces token rules, tracks balances, and processes transfers without a central authority. Because the code follows a fixed interface, wallets, exchanges, and dApps can interact with any ERC‑20 token the same way, which is why the standard fuels the rapid growth of Decentralized Finance (DeFi), a suite of financial services—lending, borrowing, trading—built on open protocols. In practice, DeFi platforms use ERC‑20 tokens as collateral, liquidity pool assets, or governance stakes. The interoperability also simplifies token swaps on DEXs, reduces onboarding friction for new projects, and lets developers focus on product features rather than low‑level protocol design.

One popular example of an ERC‑20 token that bridges another blockchain is Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), a tokenized version of Bitcoin that lives on Ethereum and follows the ERC‑20 standard. WBTC lets Bitcoin holders tap into DeFi yield strategies while keeping a 1:1 peg to the original coin. Wrapped Bitcoin bridges Bitcoin to Ethereum using the ERC‑20 standard, showing how the token model can act as a universal wrapper for assets from any chain. Similar wrappers like renBTC or imBTC follow the same pattern, turning off‑chain value into on‑chain liquidity. These assets expand the utility of ERC‑20 beyond pure crypto projects, enabling cross‑chain arbitrage, collateralization of non‑Ethereum assets, and new composable financial products.

What you’ll find below

Below you’ll discover a hand‑picked collection of articles that dig into the practical side of Ethereum ERC‑20. We cover exchange reviews that test how platforms list and trade ERC‑20 tokens, detailed airdrop guides that walk you through claiming free tokens safely, and on‑chain analytics pieces that break down token performance metrics. Security‑focused write‑ups explain how to audit smart contracts and protect your ERC‑20 holdings, while token‑omics deep dives show you how to evaluate supply models and incentive structures. Whether you’re hunting the next high‑yield DeFi token, comparing DEX fees, or simply trying to understand why ERC‑20 remains the go‑to standard, the posts ahead give you clear, actionable insights without the fluff. Dive in and see how these concepts connect to real‑world crypto opportunities.