Coins vs Tokens in Cryptocurrency

🪙 Coins

Definition: Coins are digital currencies that operate on their own blockchain.

Examples:

Bitcoin (BTC) – runs on the Bitcoin blockchain

Ethereum (ETH) – runs on the Ethereum blockchain

Toncoin (TON) – runs on The Open Network (TON)

Main Use: Usually used as money, for payments, storing value, or network fees (gas).

✅ Key Traits:

Native to their own blockchain

Can be mined or staked

Often used for blockchain operations

🎟️ Tokens

Definition: Tokens are digital assets built on top of existing blockchains.

Examples:

Uniswap (UNI) – on Ethereum

Shiba Inu (SHIB) – on Ethereum

Chainlink (LINK) – on Ethereum

MGO – on Ton blockchain

Main Use: Can represent anything — utility, governance rights, or assets.

✅ Key Traits:

Depend on another blockchain

Created using smart contracts

Can represent many things: game assets, votes, access rights, etc.

🔍 Summary Table

Feature Coins Tokens

Runs on own blockchain ✅ Yes ❌ No (uses another blockchain)
Main Purpose Payments, gas, native use Utility, governance, assets
Examples BTC, ETH, TON MGO, UNI, SHIB, LINK
Creation Mining/Staking Smart contract