Coin

A digital asset that operates on its own independent blockchain, distinct from tokens that rely on another blockchain’s infrastructure.

What is Coin?

A coin is a cryptocurrency that runs on its own native blockchain, serving as the primary medium of exchange or store of value within that network. Examples include Bitcoin (BTC) on the Bitcoin blockchain, Ethereum (ETH) on the Ethereum blockchain, Avalanche (AVAX) on the Avalanche blockchain, and Fantom (FTM) on the Fantom blockchain. Unlike tokens, which are built on existing blockchains (e.g., ERC-20 tokens like USDT on Ethereum), coins power their own ecosystems, often used for transaction fees, staking, or governance. As of 2025, CoinMarketCap tracks over 2,000 coins, with Bitcoin and Ethereum dominating by market cap at approximately $1.2 trillion and $500 billion, respectively.

Coins are designed to support specific blockchain functionalities. For instance, ETH is used to pay gas fees for smart contract execution on Ethereum, while AVAX facilitates fast, low-cost transactions on Avalanche’s scalable network. Coins often reflect the health and adoption of their underlying blockchain, with price movements driven by network upgrades, developer activity, or market sentiment. Discussions on X frequently highlight coins like SOL or FTM for their high throughput or DeFi integration, but also warn of risks like network centralization or competition from newer chains.

Investing in coins requires evaluating the blockchain’s fundamentals, such as transaction volume, validator count, or developer activity, using tools like Etherscan, DefiLlama, or Dune Analytics. While coins like BTC and ETH are seen as safer bets, newer coins like Fantom carry higher risk due to volatility and unproven longevity, as noted in X posts cautioning against speculative “altcoin season” hype.