When you buy a token like ERC-20 token, a technical standard for creating fungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. Also known as Ethereum token, it lets anyone build a digital asset that works across wallets, exchanges, and DeFi apps without reinventing the wheel. This isn’t just code—it’s the reason you can trade Shiba Inu, stake ETHx, or swap tokens on Uniswap without needing a custom system for each one.
Think of ERC-20 like a universal plug. Just as your phone charger fits any outlet with the right shape, an ERC-20 token works anywhere Ethereum does. That’s why over 90% of tokens on Ethereum follow this standard. It defines how tokens are created, transferred, and tracked—no extra coding needed. This standard relies on smart contracts, self-executing code on the Ethereum network that automatically handles token rules. These contracts handle everything from total supply to who can send or receive tokens. No middleman. No paperwork. Just rules written in code.
But here’s the catch: being an ERC-20 token doesn’t mean it’s safe, useful, or valuable. Most tokens you see on CoinMarketCap are ERC-20—but that doesn’t make them legitimate. Projects like Hachiko, FRED, and Hege are all ERC-20 tokens built on Ethereum, yet they have no team, no roadmap, and almost no liquidity. The standard just makes them easy to list. Meanwhile, real utility tokens like Stader ETHx, a liquid staking token that lets you earn rewards while keeping ETH usable in DeFi, use the same standard to deliver actual functionality. The difference isn’t the tech—it’s the intent.
ERC-20 tokens also make airdrops possible. Whether it’s a fake one like CELT or a real one like ETHx, the distribution happens through the same Ethereum addresses and smart contracts. That’s why you need to be careful—scammers copy the look of real tokens because the system doesn’t verify legitimacy. If a token says it’s ERC-20, all that means is it’s built on Ethereum’s rules. It says nothing about who made it, why it exists, or if it’s worth holding.
That’s why the posts below cover so many ERC-20 tokens—some real, some ridiculous. You’ll see how memecoins like Pengycoin and Vortex use the same framework as serious DeFi tools like Definitive EDGE. You’ll learn why some tokens crash 99% after launch, while others, like ETHx, keep growing. You’ll also find out how people trade these tokens on exchanges like Crypto.com and Deribit, and why some platforms block certain ones. This isn’t just a list of tokens. It’s a look at how a simple technical standard became the foundation for everything from gambling to real financial innovation on Ethereum.
Materium (MTRM) is the reward token for the unreleased MMORPG Mirandus by Gala Games. It has no current utility, extremely low trading volume, and no launch date. Buying MTRM is a high-risk bet on a game that may never come.