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A native crypto token is the asset built into a particular blockchain and recognized by that network’s protocol. ETH is native to Ethereum; SOL is native to Solana. Tokens issued on those networks may use different mechanisms, such as smart contracts or token programs, so “native” describes an asset’s relationship to a specific blockchain—not a universal class of cryptocurrency.
What does “native” mean in crypto?
A blockchain’s native asset belongs to that network’s underlying protocol. The network accounts for it as its own asset, rather than as a token created by an application-level contract. The term is relative: ETH is native to Ethereum, while SOL is native to Solana. Neither is “native” in the abstract; each is native to its own chain.
People often use “coin” for a network’s native asset and “token” for an asset issued on a network, but usage varies across crypto communities. The more useful distinction is how an asset is defined and tracked: by the blockchain protocol itself, or by a contract or token program on that blockchain.
How is a native asset different from a token issued on a blockchain?
Native assets and issued tokens can both be transferred and held in wallets, but their underlying representation differs. Ethereum and Solana illustrate two common ways tokens are issued on an existing chain.
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| Feature | Native asset | Token issued on the network |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is defined | As an asset of the blockchain protocol | By a smart contract on Ethereum or a Token Program and associated accounts on Solana |
| How it is represented | Through the network’s own asset accounting | Through contract balances on Ethereum; on Solana, a mint account identifies a token and token accounts track owners’ holdings |
| What it can do | May support network functions. On Ethereum, ETH pays transaction fees and is required for staking and proposing blocks. | Can serve application-specific purposes, such as a stablecoin or governance token |
| Example | ETH on Ethereum; SOL on Solana | An ERC-20 token on Ethereum or an SPL token on Solana |
Ethereum: ETH and ERC-20 tokens
Ethereum identifies ETH as its native cryptocurrency. ETH pays transaction fees and is required for staking and proposing blocks on Ethereum. Those functions describe ETH’s role on Ethereum; they should not be assumed to apply to every blockchain’s native asset. Ethereum’s technical introduction explains ETH’s network role.
ERC-20, by contrast, is a standard for fungible tokens implemented by deployed smart contracts. A token contract tracks balances and provides standardized operations, including transfers and approvals. The standard helps tokens work with wallets, exchanges, and decentralized applications. Ethereum’s ERC-20 documentation describes the standard and its compatibility role.
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Solana: SOL and SPL tokens
SOL is Solana’s native currency. SPL tokens use Solana’s Token Programs: a mint account represents a token and stores information such as its supply and decimal precision, while token accounts track holdings for owners. Solana’s token documentation explains this structure.
These are examples, not a complete rulebook for every chain. Other networks can implement native assets and issued tokens differently.
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- Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
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Are wrapped tokens native assets?
A wrapped token is a representation of an asset from another network. For example, Solana’s guide lists wrapped Bitcoin and wrapped Ethereum as assets represented on Solana. That makes them tokens on Solana, not Solana’s native asset, SOL. The specific bridge or protocol determines how a wrapped asset is held and whether or how it can be redeemed; the label alone does not establish backing, redemption guarantees, or safety. Solana’s token guide gives examples of wrapped assets.
Native ETH is not the same as WETH
ETH and WETH are distinct in how applications identify them. Some protocols use WETH to provide ERC-20-style compatibility. ERC-7528 distinguishes native ETH from WETH, which has its own token address; WETH is not the native-ETH placeholder described by that proposal. ERC-7528 documents the distinction.
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How to tell whether an asset is native to a chain
- Name the network. “Native” only makes sense in relation to a specific blockchain.
- Check the network’s documentation. Look for the asset the protocol identifies as its own native currency or asset.
- Check how the asset is issued and tracked. On Ethereum, an ERC-20 token is defined by a deployed contract. On Solana, an SPL token is represented through a mint account and token accounts.
- Check whether it represents an asset from elsewhere. A wrapped representation is not the same thing as the destination chain’s native asset.
- Verify the role rather than assuming it. Fee payment or staking functions depend on the particular network; Ethereum documentation establishes those roles for ETH.
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