ERC-20 Token
ERC-20 is Ethereum's common fungible token standard, defining transfers, balances, approvals, and supply queries.
An ERC-20 token is a fungible token implemented as a smart contract on Ethereum or another EVM-compatible network. Fungible means each unit is interchangeable with any other unit of the same token.
The ERC-20 interface defines functions such as totalSupply(), balanceOf(), transfer(), approve(), allowance(), and transferFrom(), plus Transfer and Approval events. This shared interface is what makes token integrations reusable.
ERC-20 approvals are powerful and can be risky. Users may accidentally approve unlimited spending, interact with fake token contracts, or send tokens to contracts that cannot return them.
Related terms
Explore connected entries beyond the alphabetical index.
Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)
→The EVM is the deterministic runtime that executes smart contract bytecode on Ethereum and EVM-compatible networks.
Ethereum (ETH)
→Ethereum is a proof-of-stake smart contract blockchain; ETH is its native asset used for gas, staking, and settlement.