(1/15) Token Standards and Composability
ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155, ERC-4626...
ETC - WTF
Confused what @ethereum token standards are and why they matter? Interested in knowing which tokens are for what purpose? Want to understand the big picture?
This is the thread for you!
ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155, ERC-4626...
ETC - WTF
Confused what @ethereum token standards are and why they matter? Interested in knowing which tokens are for what purpose? Want to understand the big picture?
This is the thread for you!
(2/15) @ethereum is The World Computer. It's a shared resource upheld by a network of anonymous, untrusted nodes; aligned by consensus and economically secured
The Ethereum Network provides credible neutrality upon which anyone can build... both independently and collaboratively
The Ethereum Network provides credible neutrality upon which anyone can build... both independently and collaboratively
(3/15) Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are the mechanism by which programs communicate and developers coordinate.
A developer will camouflage as much of the inner workings of their program as much as possible. Communication is maximally simplified and streamlined.
A developer will camouflage as much of the inner workings of their program as much as possible. Communication is maximally simplified and streamlined.
(4/15) On The World Computer, we use APIs all over the place:
- to integrate protocols
- to transfer assets
- to build composable investments
- to borrow, lend and collateralize assets
Basically anything that happens on chain is either an API or is directly summarized by an API
- to integrate protocols
- to transfer assets
- to build composable investments
- to borrow, lend and collateralize assets
Basically anything that happens on chain is either an API or is directly summarized by an API
(5/15) In fact, tokens you can think of the different token types as a piece of code that conforms to an API template. If a smart contract adheres to a specific template, it is that kind of token.
ethereum.org
ethereum.org
(6/15) This is the template for an ERC-20 token. In order to create an ERC-20, a developer has to create code to be executed for all of the following methods and events
All ERC-20s support these functions; a (different) developer can count on having these when using any ERC-20
All ERC-20s support these functions; a (different) developer can count on having these when using any ERC-20
(7/15) ERC-20 tokens are the most basic token standard, representing the vast majority of tokens available today. This includes everything from governance tokens, ve-tokens, stablecoins, etc.
($ETH is not an ERC-20 token)
($ETH is not an ERC-20 token)
(8/15) ERC-721 tokens are most commonly referred to as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). These tokens represent unique or identifiable items (usually) within a collection. This includes PFPs, collectable art, property, etc.
(9/15) ERC-1155 tokens combine properties of both ERC-20 and ERC-721 tokens, providing a single interface that manages any combination of these token types. This can be used as a more modern alternative for ERC-20 or ERC-721, and has unique properties optimized for gaming.
(10/15) ERC-4626 is the newest token standard, describing yield-bearing vaults. The standard provides a common interface for ERC-20 tokens deposited in (or redeemed from) a vault to earn yield. This can include yield farming and aggregation, but can be generalized to much more.
(11/15) ERC-777 is a very configurable but rarely used token standard. It provides updates to ERC-20, allowing devs to attach code that runs when the token is sent and/or received.
Although it is included on Ethereum.org, we rarely see ERC - 777 tokens in practice.
Although it is included on Ethereum.org, we rarely see ERC - 777 tokens in practice.
(12/15) Quick history lesson:
First, The Before Time. Then... Alan Turing β mechanical computing β computers β networked computers β ARPANETβ World Wide Web β Internet β @bitcoin β @ethereum
That brings us to roughly 2014, when @VitalikButerin introduced us to $ETH.
First, The Before Time. Then... Alan Turing β mechanical computing β computers β networked computers β ARPANETβ World Wide Web β Internet β @bitcoin β @ethereum
That brings us to roughly 2014, when @VitalikButerin introduced us to $ETH.
(13/15) This is the beginning of the story. @ethereum is just the infrastructure, now we must build on it. The more we set standards at the foundation, the higher we can go
Comp sci is the magic, the developers are the wizards, abstraction is the spell. Composability is the goal
Comp sci is the magic, the developers are the wizards, abstraction is the spell. Composability is the goal
(14/15) Native $ETH... ERC-20... 721... 777... 1155... 4626... with each iteration, we are becoming more sophisticated. Each token type can have more functionality, each money Lego adding even more incremental value.
Each ERC-increment brings us closer to programmable money.
Each ERC-increment brings us closer to programmable money.
(15/15) Token standards is (one way) how composability manifests on @ethereum.
Why do we care about composability?
Well... we are builders! What do you think we are going to build with???
Why do we care about composability?
Well... we are builders! What do you think we are going to build with???
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Follow me for more explainers and as much alpha as I can possibly serve.
grrrr typos on the first tweet... one of those you notice the second after the thread posts.
The joke was ERC - WTF, not ETC. Oh well.
The joke was ERC - WTF, not ETC. Oh well.
Correction 2: CryptoPunks are not ERC-721 tokens; in fact they actually predate the standard. IIRC one of the reasons ERC-721 was invented after CryptoPunks exploded and devs realized we needed NFT standards.
Conceptually they fit, however.
Apologies. It was late π« .
Conceptually they fit, however.
Apologies. It was late π« .
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