Description
Fixed Token
A fixed token supply means that the total number of tokens that will ever exist is predetermined and cannot be changed. This is a common feature in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which has a fixed supply of 21 million coins. Once all of them are mined, no new Bitcoins will be created. This fixed supply creates scarcity, which can lead to potential value appreciation over time as demand increases. Scarcity is often seen as a key factor in the value of such tokens, as it mirrors the limited supply of precious metals like gold.
In contrast, some cryptocurrencies follow an inflationary token supply model where the number of tokens in circulation increases over time, introducing new tokens into the ecosystem. This can encourage network participation and incentivize stakeholders to contribute to the network, but it can also potentially lead to concerns about token devaluation as the supply increases.
Burnable Token
A burnable token refers to a cryptocurrency token that can be permanently removed from circulation through a process known as token burning. This process involves transferring the tokens to a special address, often called a “burn address,” from which the tokens cannot be retrieved or spent. The primary purpose of burning tokens is to reduce the overall supply of tokens in circulation, which can create a deflationary effect and potentially increase the value of the remaining tokens. This is based on the economic principle that assets tend to rise in price as their supply becomes more scarce.
Token burning can serve multiple purposes, such as:
Increasing the value of the remaining tokens by reducing their supply.
Demonstrating a project’s commitment to its roadmap or strategic goals.
Maintaining a stable value, as seen in algorithmic stablecoins that automatically burn tokens when the price rises above its pegged value to bring it back down.
In summary, a burnable token is one that can be permanently removed from circulation through token burning, which can influence market sentiment and asset value.
Mintable Token
A mintable token refers to a type of digital asset that can be created using smart contracts on platforms like Ethereum without requiring any underlying consensus-related activities. Unlike mineable tokens, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, mintable tokens do not need physical resources or a block production and validation process to generate new tokens. Instead, they are created through a minting function within the smart contract, which can generate new tokens based on a predetermined supply.
Mintable tokens can be used in various ways, such as for Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and other digital assets. They can have a fixed or continuous supply model. In a fixed supply model, once the supply is reached, no new tokens are minted, which can increase the value of the underlying asset due to scarcity. In a continuous supply model, new tokens are minted regularly, which can lead to inflation.
Additionally, mintable tokens can be burned to reduce supply, a method commonly used in algorithmic and crypto-backed stablecoins like DAI and TerraUSD. This mechanism helps maintain the token’s price and the project’s tokenomics.
Pausable Token
A pausable ERC20 token is a token that can be paused to prevent any transfers of the token when it is paused. This feature is useful for scenarios such as preventing trades until the end of an evaluation period or having an emergency switch for freezing all token transfers in the event of a large bug. When a token is paused, it cannot be transferred, and only the contract deployer or designated pauser can pause or unpause the contract.
The OpenZeppelin library provides a contract called ERC20Pausable that extends the standard ERC20 token contract to include pausing functionality. However, it does not include public pause and unpause functions. Therefore, when using this contract, you must define both functions, invoking the {Pausable-_pause} and {Pausable-_unpause} internal functions, with appropriate access control, such as using {AccessControl} or {Ownable}.
Full Function Token
A full function token contract, specifically in the context of ERC-20 tokens on the Ethereum network, refers to a smart contract that implements a set of predefined functions and events. These functions and events are standardized to ensure interoperability and predictability for developers and users. Here are the key functions and events that a full function ERC-20 token contract includes:
TotalSupply: Returns the total number of tokens that will ever be issued.
BalanceOf: Returns the account balance of a token owner’s account.
Transfer: Moves the amount of tokens from the function caller address to the recipient address. This function emits the Transfer event.
Approve: Sets the amount of allowance the spender is allowed to transfer from the function caller’s balance. This function emits the Approval event.
Allowance: Returns the remaining number of tokens that the spender will be allowed to spend on behalf of the owner.
TransferFrom: Moves the amount of tokens from the sender to the recipient using the allowance mechanism. This function emits the Transfer event.
Additionally, the contract includes events to notify about token transfers and approvals:
Transfer: This event is emitted when the amount of tokens is sent from one address to another.
Approval: This event is emitted when the amount of tokens is approved by the owner to be used by the spender.
These functions and events ensure that the token contract is compatible with other applications and services on the Ethereum network, facilitating seamless token transactions and interactions.
Flashmint Tokens
A flash-mintable token, often referred to as a flash-mint token, is a type of ERC20-compliant token that combines the properties of being asset-backed and flash-mintable. This means:
Asset-Backed: The token is 1-to-1 backed by an underlying asset, such as Ether (ETH), and can be trustlessly redeemed for the underlying asset. For example, FlashWETH can be redeemed for ETH at any time.
Flash-Mintable: The token allows anyone to mint an arbitrary number of new tokens into their account, provided they also burn the same number of tokens from their account before the end of the same transaction. This process is akin to “running up a tab” and “paying off your tab” within a single transaction.
The key feature of flash-mintable tokens is that they maintain their market value even during the brief period when they are not fully backed by the underlying asset. This is because any transaction that fails during the flash-mint process will revert, ensuring that no unbacked tokens remain. Thus, users can accept these tokens at full face value, knowing they can always redeem them for the underlying asset or that any failed transaction will revert, leaving them unaffected.
Flash-mintable tokens are designed to enhance liquidity and reduce costs in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, particularly for large trades where traditional DEX trades might incur high slippage.
Permit Token
The “permit token” function is a feature introduced in ERC-2612, which allows token holders to approve transactions off-chain using a signature. This signature is then used on-chain to execute the transaction, thereby saving users from paying gas fees for the approval step. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Off-Chain Approval: The token holder signs a message off-chain that includes details such as the amount of tokens to be approved, the spender’s address, and an expiration time. This message is signed using the owner’s private key and produces a signature with parameters v, r, and s.
On-Chain Execution: The spender can then use this signature to call the permit function on the token contract. This function verifies the signature and executes the approval on-chain, allowing the spender to operate the approved amount of tokens.
Benefits: This method reduces the need for on-chain transactions for approvals, which can be costly due to gas fees. It also enhances user experience by simplifying the process and potentially enabling gasless transactions through relayers.
Security Considerations: While the permit function enhances user experience, it also introduces security risks. For instance, users must be cautious about the permissions they grant and ensure they revoke unnecessary approvals to mitigate risks of exploitation by malicious actors.
The permit function is particularly useful in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications where users frequently need to approve token transfers, and the cost of gas fees can be prohibitive.
Token Vote
A “token vote” generally refers to a symbolic or non-binding vote used in discussions to aid in the debate or to illustrate a point, particularly in parliamentary settings. However, the term “token” in the context of voting can also refer to digital tokens used in blockchain-based voting systems or decentralized applications (DAOs) for governance purposes.
In blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) contexts, a “token vote” typically involves governance tokens that allow holders to participate in decision-making processes. These tokens can be locked in an escrow contract to participate in voting, a process known as “vote escrow.” When tokens are locked, users receive vote-escrowed tokens (veTokens) which confer governance rights. The longer tokens are locked, the greater the voting power they confer.
For example, in the Curve DAO, users can lock their Curve DAO tokens (CRV) to earn veCRV, which grants them voting rights over the protocol’s governance decisions. This mechanism is designed to encourage long-term decision-making and align incentives among stakeholders.
In summary, a “token vote” can mean:
A symbolic vote in parliamentary discussions.
Digital tokens used in blockchain-based voting systems to confer governance rights and influence decisions within decentralized platforms.