ERC-20 vs ERC-721 vs ERC 1155: The Key Differences
Ethereum blockchain technology has accepted the use of three key protocols or token standards: ERC-20, ERC-721, and ERC-1155. When it comes to token standards, Ethereum is by far the most popular and dominant blockchain in use today. Token standards differ from one another in many important ways. Let’s present you a glimpse of what’s to come before we get into the nitty-gritty.
There are 3 tokens, each representing a different level of NFT fungibility. ERC-20 was the Ethereum blockchain’s first token and minting fungible tokens was one of its primary functions, and it still is. Afterwards, the network introduced a new token standard, ERC-721, that is used to create non-fungible assets. ERC-1155 was introduced in 2019. A combination of these two tokens is what this token is. Due to its USP, ERC-1155 allows the creation of all three types of tokens in one smart contract.
Ethereum Token Upgrades
ERC-20
Ethereum’s ERC-20 token first entered the market in 2015, has now been completely assimilated into the blockchain since 2017. Multiple objectives are served by this token protocol in the decentralized environment. Companies and governmental institutions are the primary consumers of ERC-20, as it is a framework for regulating certain cryptocurrency activities. ERC-20 is an exchangeable token that can be used by entities of the same type. Stablecoin generation, ICO (Initial Coin Offerings), Fundraising, and other major activities can benefit from this technology.
https://twitter.com/ERC20_News/status/1495495866110681090?s=20&t=I8PIVbF4_z4dfqPnZKRAdg
The popularity of ERC-20 tokens may have been influenced by the crypto bull run of 2017. Tether, Chainlink, USDC, and DAI are all instances of ERC-20 token-based cryptocurrencies. Even though it’s the most widely used token format, it can’t do everything. As a consequence, a new protocol for Ethereum tokens was created subsequently.
ERC-721
ERC-721, in contrast to ERC-20, is focused on non-fungible tokens. In other words, the rules of this token are used to create new digital things that cannot be replicated by anything else. If ERC-20 was crucial to the introduction of new cryptocurrencies to the marketplace, ERC-721 is vital to the development of digital content that does not always take the shape of cryptocurrencies.
Creator and CTO of CryptoKitties, Dieter Shirley, first presented a novel coin as an Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) in 2017, as well as the blockchain regulatory body fully approved its idea in 2018. The current NFT boom can be attributed to the introduction of ERC-721. As a result of this new protocol, there is now a community for creators, players, and anyone else who wants to sell anything special. Beeple’s $69 million electronic artwork purchase would not be conceivable if there was not such a token standard.
ERC-1155
When Witek Radomski created ERC-1155 in 2018, he launched a new chapter in Ethereum’s history. Non-fungible coins could also be created in the same smart contract. It simply filled a void in the market. ERC-1155 is a game-changer since it gives a single platform for all of the NFR requirements.
https://twitter.com/MessariCrypto/status/1394655777923686405?s=20&t=tukXi0fCRY8NdKzinY_ZDA
In addition, the user-friendly design proved to be an even more efficient location for newbies than the more complicated one. “The key principle of ERC-1155 is that a given, smart contract can control an endless amount of coins.” An additional benefit for creators and players is the new currency, which cuts gas expenses by 80–90%. According to Radomsk, Phillippe Castonguay, a developer at Horizon Games, was able to apply a technique called Balance Packing (keeping 16 lesser tokens in a unique ID) to obtain an 80–90% gas savings over conventional transactions.
Source: Twitter
If you are familiar with NFT, you will know that fungibility is the key area of concern. However, that is only one of the features of this technology. Since it is not usually sufficient to agree with a distinct entity, instead, you’re dealing with exact duplicates and identical elements without a noticeable change. But it is not only for NFTs; coordinating crowdfunding campaigns, launching initial coin offerings (ICOs), and introducing an additional cryptocurrency to the world are just a few of the many useful concepts. The characteristics and criteria for each of these programs must be met to a certain extent.
The 3 token standards define only the commencement of digitalization that is both extremely efficient and accessible. Because the development of token specifications is occurring at a far faster rate and it is not strange to see a considerable improvement in blockchain technology during the next few months.
Conclusion
Ultimately, this token enables the developer to accurately forecast how future tokens will work in the Ethereum network. As long as a token respects the rules and regulations of the firm, the programmers can continue with their research without the fear of having to recreate their works any time a major token is produced. To keep the numerous different Ethereum tokens working together, this regulation must always be followed.
