What are Aptos token standards?

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Token Standards on Aptos

In the Move programming language used by Aptos, fungible tokens are called "coins." Cryptocurrencies like APT, stAPT, and CAKE fall under this category. Meanwhile, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and semi-fungible tokens (SFTs) are collectively referred to as "tokens." Previously, these assets followed the Aptos Coin Standard for fungible assets and the Aptos Token Standard for NFTs and SFTs.

In August 2023, the Aptos Foundation introduced the Fungible Asset (FA) and Digital Asset (DA) standards, replacing the older Coin and Token models. These new standards offer greater flexibility, improved efficiency, and enhanced customization, making them the recommended framework for new assets on Aptos.

This article provides a concise overview of each token standard on Aptos.

Aptos Legacy Standards

Aptos Coin Standard

The Aptos Coin Standard was the original model for fungible assets on Aptos. Unlike Ethereum, where each token requires a separate smart contract, Aptos simplifies token creation with a single, efficient framework. The Coin module ensures that:

  • Developers can create and use tokens with high performance and low gas costs.
  • The standard is part of the Aptos core framework, making it suitable for native currencies, including the gas token.

Aptos Token Standard

The Aptos Token Standard was designed for NFTs, fungible tokens without decimals, and semi-fungible tokens (SFTs). It required developers to create a resource account for each new asset. The old Token module offered:

  • Rich, flexible assets and collectibles, supporting fungible, semi-fungible, and non-fungible tokens.
  • A modular design housed in the AptosToken package (Address 0x3), allowing for rapid updates based on community feedback.

To enhance flexibility, Aptos replaced these legacy standards with more advanced models.

Aptos Asset Standards

Aptos Fungible Asset Standard (FA)

The Aptos Fungible Asset Standard (FA), introduced in August 2023, replaces the Aptos Coin module, offering a more efficient and flexible approach to creating fungible assets. It is designed for various use cases, including tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), event tickets, in-game items, and digital currencies. FA also supports fractional ownership and allows developers to set ownership controls.

A major improvement is the Move object model, which optimizes efficiency and customization. Unlike the previous coin system, where users had to manually register a token before receiving it, FA automatically creates a storage object in the recipient's account when they receive an asset. This simplifies transactions and enhances user experience.

Developers gain full control over asset behavior, including minting, burning, freezing, and transferring. The FA standard also streamlines ownership tracking, eliminating the need for users to manually manage token storage. With better scalability and integration, it provides a robust foundation for decentralized applications (dApps) to recognize and interact with tokens seamlessly.

Aptos Digital Asset Standard (DA)

The Aptos Digital Asset Standard (DA), introduced alongside FA in August 2023, is the next-generation NFT standard, replacing the Aptos Token Standard. Like FA, it leverages the Move object model, where both collections and individual NFTs exist as objects with unique addresses. This enhances flexibility, allowing NFTs to be modified, extended, or customized over time.

The DA standard consists of Collections (which group NFTs under a shared name and context) and Tokens (representing unique digital assets). NFTs within a collection can be named or unnamed—named NFTs have fixed addresses for easy tracking, while unnamed NFTs can be fully burned without leaving a trace. The DA standard also supports NFT composability, enabling one NFT to own another, as well as soulbound tokens, which are permanently tied to an account and cannot be transferred.

A key improvement is that NFT transfers no longer require prior approval from recipients, simplifying user interactions. Developers can also dynamically update NFTs by adding new properties without modifying the core code. Additional features include adjustable royalties, metadata updates, burning, freezing, and time-restricted transfers.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Fungible Asset (FA) and Digital Asset (DA) standards marks a significant upgrade in Aptos' asset framework, offering greater efficiency, flexibility, and scalability. These new standards streamline transactions, enhance customization, and improve user experience, making them the preferred choice for developers creating new assets on Aptos. While legacy standards remain functional, FA and DA set a new foundation for the future of digital assets on the Aptos blockchain.