{"id":129253,"date":"2018-02-12T12:34:56","date_gmt":"2018-02-12T01:34:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/?p=129253"},"modified":"2026-06-08T17:39:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T16:39:56","slug":"coins","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/coins","title":{"rendered":"Cryptocurrency coins and tokens"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ukfcyfixeddisclaimer\" class=\"visible no-margin-top\" data-template=\"masthead-two-columns\">\n<div id=\"ukfcyfixeddisclaimerbody\" class=\"text-center fin-text-white\" data-nosnippet><strong>Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. <u id=\"ukfcydscmdl\" onclick=\"ukfcyshowmodal();\">Take 2 mins to learn more<\/u>.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n@media (max-width: 767px) { .fixeddisclaimerbody { letter-spacing: -0.4px; } }\n@media (min-width: 1350px) { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 24px !important; } .gn svg.w-\\[16px\\].h-\\[9px\\] { margin-top: 24px !important; } }\n@media (max-width: 1349px) and (min-width: 701px) { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 48px !important; } .gn svg.w-\\[16px\\].h-\\[9px\\] { margin-top: 48px !important; } }\n@media (max-width: 700px) and (min-width: 481px) { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 68px !important; } }\n@media (max-width: 480px) and (min-width: 381px) { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 86px !important; } }\n@media (max-width: 380px) { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 102px !important; } }\n#ukfcyfixeddisclaimer { top: 0; left: 0; position: fixed; right: 0; width: 100%; z-index: 40001; text-align: center; }\n#ukfcyfixeddisclaimerbody { line-height: 1.2; background-color: #6c7881; overflow: hidden; letter-spacing: -0.2px; padding: 4px 3px 5px 3px; }\n#ukfcymodal { z-index: 40002; }\n#ukfcymodalclosereal { z-index: 40003; position: fixed; left: 0; right: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0; }\n#modal-content { z-index: 40004; }\n.gn .nav-slideout--active { top: auto !important; }\n.gn .fixed { position: static !important; }\n#ukfcydscmdl { cursor: pointer; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n<div class=\"docsModal\">\n<section class=\"luna-modal\" aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"dialog\" id=\"ukfcymodal\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading\" aria-describedby=\"modal-content\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"luna-modal__content\">\n<button id=\"ukfcymodalclose\" class=\"luna-modal__close\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Close modal\">\n<svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#close\"><\/use><\/svg>\n<\/button>\n<div id=\"ukfcymodalclosereal\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"luna-modal__body\" id=\"modal-content\">\n<div class=\"luna-modal__wrapper\">\n\n<p><strong>Estimated reading time: 2 min<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.<\/p>\n\n<h4 id=\"modal-heading\">What are the key risks?<\/h4>\n\n<p>1. You could lose all the money you invest<\/p>\n\n<ul> \n<li>The performance of most cryptoassets can be highly volatile, with their value dropping as quickly as it can rise. You should be prepared to lose all the money you invest in cryptoassets.<\/li>\n<li>The cryptoasset market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money or any cryptoassets you purchase due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and firm failure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>2. You should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) doesn't protect this type of investment because it's not a 'specified investment' under the UK regulatory regime \u2013 in other words, this type of investment isn't recognised as the sort of investment that the FSCS can protect. Learn more by using the FSCS <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fscs.org.uk\/check\/investmentprotection-checker\">investment protection checker<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) will not be able to consider complaints related to this firm or Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection <a href=\"https:\/\/www.financialombudsman.org.uk\/consumers\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>3. You may not be able to sell your investment when you want to<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>There is no guarantee that investments in cryptoassets can be easily sold at any given time. The ability to sell a cryptoasset depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at that time.<\/li>\n<li>Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds could cause unwanted delay and you may be unable to sell your cryptoassets at the time you want.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>4. Cryptoasset investments can be complex<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Investments in cryptoassets can be complex, making it difficult to understand the risks associated with the investment.<\/li>\n<li>You should do your own research before investing. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>5. Don't put all your eggs in one basket<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Putting all your money into a single type of investment is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.<\/li>\n<li>A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fca.org.uk\/investsmart\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p>For further information about cryptoassets, visit the FCA's website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fca.org.uk\/investsmart\/crypto-basics\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<script>\nfunction ukfcyshowmodal() {\nvar infomodal = document.getElementById(\"ukfcymodal\");\ninfomodal.classList.add('is-visible');\ninfomodal.setAttribute(\"aria-hidden\", \"false\");\ndocument.getElementById(\"ukfcymodalclosereal\").addEventListener('click',function()\n{\nvar infomodal = document.getElementById(\"ukfcymodal\");\ninfomodal.classList.remove('is-visible');\ninfomodal.setAttribute(\"aria-hidden\", \"true\");\n});\n};\n<\/script><p>There are thousands of crypto coins and tokens in existence. Here are the main types, and their distinguishing characteristics, plus some of the best-known examples of each.<\/p><h3>What is a crypto coin?<\/h3><p>A cryptocurrency coin is the native currency of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/blockchain-guide\">blockchain<\/a> (a distributed ledger maintained by multiple independent participants rather than one central authority). So Bitcoin is the native currency of the Bitcoin blockchain, for example.<\/p><p>It\u2019s an encrypted digital currency meant to be used as a form of payment. It can be used to store value and pay for services, in much the same way that you would use physical money.<\/p><h4>What is an altcoin?<\/h4><p>Quite simply a coin that\u2019s not Bitcoin. An \u201calternative coin\u201d to Bitcoin, as the name implies.<\/p><p>Despite not being Bitcoin, many altcoins are a \u201cfork\u201d of Bitcoin \u2013 developed by duplicating Bitcoin\u2019s open-source protocol. Examples include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/litecoin\">Litecoin (LTC)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/dogecoin\">Dogecoin (DOGE)<\/a>.<\/p><p>However, there\u2019s also a long list of other altcoins that haven\u2019t been derived from the Bitcoin protocol and have instead had their own blockchain and protocol created from scratch. Some well-known examples include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/how-to-buy-ethereum\">Ethereum (ETH)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/how-to-buy-cardano\">Cardano (ADA)<\/a>.<\/p><h4>What is a meme coin?<\/h4><p>A coin with a lot of buzz (but not necessarily any enduring value).<\/p><p>Sometimes meme coins are created specifically to enrich insiders \u2013  AKA a \u201cpump and dump\u201d play. These are best avoided, unless you\u2019re absolutely sure you\u2019ve got your timing right!<\/p><h4>What is a stablecoin?<\/h4><p>A coin with a value that\u2019s tied to an asset \u2013 often a traditional currency. So <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/how-to-buy-tether\">Tether<\/a>, for example, is a stablecoin whose value is tethered to the US Dollar.<\/p><p>In theory this makes a coin less speculative. The case of TerraUSD begs to differ: in 2022 TerraUSD was unable to maintain its peg to the US dollar, and soon collapsed to a tiny fraction of its intended value.<\/p><p>Stable coins may be backed by a real reserve of the asset they\u2019re pegged to, but that\u2019s not always the case.<\/p><h4>What is a privacy coin?<\/h4><p>A coin that\u2019s all about keeping the details of transactions private. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/how-to-buy-monero\">Monero<\/a>. So the sender, the recipient and the amount are all obscured as far as possible.<\/p><p>Privacy coins use cryptographic techniques to prove transactions are valid (so that the ledger is still accurate) but without revealing all the details. Nodes can still verify the ledger\u2019s integrity even though amounts, senders, or recipients may be hidden.<\/p><p>Realistically, the are both legitimate and illicit reasons why senders and recipients might want privacy. <\/p><h3>What is a crypto token?<\/h3><p>Tokens are used to represent digital assets that are fungible and tradeable, including everything from commodities to voting rights. However, rather than operating on their own blockchain, tokens are hosted by another platform, such as Ethereum.<\/p><p>While tokens are also a medium of exchange, they offer functionality above and beyond that of coins. Tokens give their holders the ability to take part in some kind of activity \u2013 for example, if you want to bet on the outcome of future events through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/how-to-buy-augur\">decentralised prediction market Augur<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to use REP, the Augur platform\u2019s native cryptocurrency token. Tokens can also offer value to buyers, for example through buybacks.<\/p><p>Tokens are usually created and distributed to the general public through Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), which are a form of crowdfunding. Some of the best-known crypto tokens include EOS (EOS), Tron (TRX) and OMG Network (OMG), with Ethereum being the most popular platform for token development.<\/p><p>However, there are also plenty of other platforms which tokens can be built upon, including Omni, NEO, Waves and Qtum.<\/p><div class=\"did-you-know u-bg--sky-subtle u-rounded--lg\" data-component=\"did-you-know\">\n        <div class=\"did-you-know__block\">\n        <h4 class=\"did-you-know__title\">\n            <span class=\"did-you-know__title-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#00B2FF\"><\/circle>\n                    <path d=\"M17.5 22.5C17.5 22.7967 17.412 23.0867 17.2472 23.3334C17.0824 23.58 16.8481 23.7723 16.574 23.8858C16.2999 23.9993 15.9983 24.0291 15.7074 23.9712C15.4164 23.9133 15.1491 23.7704 14.9393 23.5607C14.7296 23.3509 14.5867 23.0836 14.5288 22.7926C14.471 22.5017 14.5007 22.2001 14.6142 21.926C14.7277 21.6519 14.92 21.4176 15.1667 21.2528C15.4133 21.088 15.7033 21 16 21C16.3978 21 16.7794 21.158 17.0607 21.4393C17.342 21.7206 17.5 22.1022 17.5 22.5ZM16 9C13.2425 9 11 11.0188 11 13.5V14C11 14.2652 11.1054 14.5196 11.2929 14.7071C11.4804 14.8946 11.7348 15 12 15C12.2652 15 12.5196 14.8946 12.7071 14.7071C12.8946 14.5196 13 14.2652 13 14V13.5C13 12.125 14.3463 11 16 11C17.6538 11 19 12.125 19 13.5C19 14.875 17.6538 16 16 16C15.7348 16 15.4804 16.1054 15.2929 16.2929C15.1054 16.4804 15 16.7348 15 17V18C15 18.2652 15.1054 18.5196 15.2929 18.7071C15.4804 18.8946 15.7348 19 16 19C16.2652 19 16.5196 18.8946 16.7071 18.7071C16.8946 18.5196 17 18.2652 17 18V17.91C19.28 17.4913 21 15.6725 21 13.5C21 11.0188 18.7575 9 16 9ZM29 16C29 18.5712 28.2376 21.0846 26.8091 23.2224C25.3807 25.3603 23.3503 27.0265 20.9749 28.0104C18.5995 28.9944 15.9856 29.2518 13.4638 28.7502C10.9421 28.2486 8.6257 27.0105 6.80762 25.1924C4.98953 23.3743 3.75141 21.0579 3.2498 18.5362C2.74819 16.0144 3.00563 13.4006 3.98957 11.0251C4.97351 8.64968 6.63975 6.61935 8.77759 5.1909C10.9154 3.76244 13.4288 3 16 3C19.4467 3.00364 22.7512 4.37445 25.1884 6.81163C27.6256 9.24882 28.9964 12.5533 29 16ZM27 16C27 13.8244 26.3549 11.6977 25.1462 9.88873C23.9375 8.07979 22.2195 6.66989 20.2095 5.83733C18.1995 5.00476 15.9878 4.78692 13.854 5.21136C11.7202 5.6358 9.76021 6.68345 8.22183 8.22183C6.68345 9.7602 5.63581 11.7202 5.21137 13.854C4.78693 15.9878 5.00477 18.1995 5.83733 20.2095C6.66989 22.2195 8.07979 23.9375 9.88873 25.1462C11.6977 26.3549 13.8244 27 16 27C18.9164 26.9967 21.7123 25.8367 23.7745 23.7745C25.8367 21.7123 26.9967 18.9164 27 16Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"did-you-know__title-text\">Coins vs tokens: What's the difference?<\/span>\n        <\/h4>\n        <div class=\"did-you-know__content\">\n            <p>Coins are standalone cryptocurrencies based on their own blockchain. Tokens are built and hosted on existing blockchains.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Learn how and where to buy crypto coins and tokens<\/h3><p>Learn how and where to buy cryptocurrency by following our simple step-by-step guides and comparing 30+ crypto exchanges.<\/p><div class=\"u-grid u-grid--alignStretch\"><div class=\"u-grid__col u-1\/3@s\"><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--border luna-card--stretch\"><figure class=\"luna-card__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card-image lazyload\" style=\"width: 450px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2018\/12\/buy-btc-au-300x214.png\" alt=\"Where to buy cryptocurrency\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2018\/12\/buy-btc-au-300x214.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2018\/12\/buy-btc-au-300x214.png?fit=300 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/figure><div class=\"luna-card__actions\"><a class=\"luna-card__action\" style=\"font-size: 22px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/exchanges\">Best crypto exchanges<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><div class=\"u-grid__col u-1\/3@s\"><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--border luna-card--stretch\"><figure class=\"luna-card__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card-image lazyload\" style=\"width: 450px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/bitcoin-hand-tile-image.jpg\" alt=\"How to buy bitcoin\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/bitcoin-hand-tile-image.jpg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/bitcoin-hand-tile-image.jpg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/bitcoin-hand-tile-image.jpg?fit=600 600w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/bitcoin-hand-tile-image.jpg?fit=900 900w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/bitcoin-hand-tile-image.jpg?fit=1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/bitcoin-hand-tile-image.jpg?fit=1350 1350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/figure><div class=\"luna-card__actions\"><a class=\"luna-card__action\" style=\"font-size: 22px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/coins\/how-to-buy-bitcoin\">How to buy Bitcoin<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><div class=\"u-grid__col u-1\/3@s\"><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--border luna-card--stretch\"><figure class=\"luna-card__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card-image lazyload\" style=\"width: 450px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/buy-crypto-cash.jpg\" alt=\"Buying cryptocurrency with AUD\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/buy-crypto-cash.jpg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/buy-crypto-cash.jpg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/buy-crypto-cash.jpg?fit=600 600w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/buy-crypto-cash.jpg?fit=900 900w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/buy-crypto-cash.jpg?fit=1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-au\/wp-uploads\/2019\/03\/buy-crypto-cash.jpg?fit=1350 1350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/figure><div class=\"luna-card__actions\"><a class=\"luna-card__action\" style=\"font-size: 22px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cryptocurrency\/altcoins\">Coin buying guides (A-Z)<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--alt\"><div class=\"luna-card__block has-padding-small\"><p class=\"has-margin-bottom-xsmall\">*Cryptocurrencies aren't regulated in the UK and there's no protection from the Financial Ombudsman or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your capital is at risk. Capital gains tax on profits may apply.<\/p><p>Cryptocurrencies are speculative and investing in them involves significant risks - they're highly volatile, vulnerable to hacking and sensitive to secondary activity. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This content shouldn't be interpreted as a recommendation to invest. Before you invest, you should get advice and decide whether the potential return outweighs the risks. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.<\/p><\/div><\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What\u2019s the difference between cryptocurrency coins and tokens? Find out in this handy guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":129268,"parent":58834,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"page-masthead-two-column.php","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"coins vs tokens","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Coins vs tokens: What\u2019s the difference? | Finder UK","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The terms \"coin\" and \"token\" are often used interchangeably in the world of crypto, but there is a key difference. Read Finder's guide to find out more.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","post_is_fact_checked":"false","post_co_author":"-1","post_co_author_date":null,"post_co_author_manual_date_checked":"false","post_reviewer":"-1","post_reviewer_date":"","post_reviewer_manual_date_checked":"false","post_editor":"-1","post_editor_date":null,"post_author_date":"","post_author_manual_date_checked":"false","_last_updated_date_data":"{\"is_updated_date_published\":true,\"last_updated_date\":\"2026-06-08 16:38:56\",\"timezone_offset\":\" +00:00\",\"last_update_summary\":\"We rewrote most of this guide to make it more comprehensive.\"}","_last_major_update":"","feature_finder_bot_teaser_enabled":false,"feature_finder_bot_teaser_message":"","feature_finder_bot_teaser_placeholder":"","feature_finder_bot_teaser_suggestions":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129253","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Coins vs tokens: What\u2019s the difference? | Finder UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The terms &quot;coin&quot; and &quot;token&quot; are often used interchangeably in the world of crypto, but there is a key difference. 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