Let's explore the top 10 ERC token standards in 2025. Understand their features, real-world use cases, and why they matter for developers and investors
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If you have ever bought cryptocurrency, exchanged an NFT, or played around with a blockchain-based game, then you have already used ERC token standards unknowingly.They're the silent backbone ensuring Ethereum tokens remain compatible, secure, robust support, and be used anywhere across the ecosystem. Without these standards exchanges, wallets and dApp would be perplexed.
If you're a startup looking to start a first big crypto launch or to revamp your projects it is important to know the right ERC standards as it could be the golden ticket for business. Let explore the top ERC token standards that are making waves in 2025 with its specific functions and features.
ERC (Ethereum Request for Comment) refers to a technical document that proposes from the Ethereum community suggesting a new standard or enhancement for the Ethereum blockchain. ERC token standards outline the rules and features that control how tokens are operated on the Ethereum blockchain. These standards ensure smooth interaction and interoperation between different tokens and a decentralized platform in the Ethereum environment. These rules cover from token creation & supply, token transfer function, token ownership and balance tracking, to smart contract security.
There are various ERC standards in today’s crypto market. Here we are going to explore top 10 ERC Token standards that still rule over in the 2025 arena.
>> ERC20
>> ERC721
>> ERC223
>> ERC1155
>> ERC4337
>> ERC777
>> ERC223
>> ERC1400
>> ERC6551
>> ERC865
Each has a specific set of rules and regulations that ensure interoperability, security and efficiency for developers and users. Let’s see the elaborate version of each token standard.
ERC20 stands out as one the most popular and widely adopted standard for creating fungible tokens-assets that are identical and interchangeable. It's the building block for thousands of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and DeFi tokens and has various applications, including utility tokens, security tokens, and others.
Even in 2025, ERC-20 continues to dominate because of its simplicity, widespread support, and deep integration across all crypto platforms. From USDT to Chainlink (LINK), ERC-20 tokens are the backbone of Ethereum’s economy.
Features:
- Standard functions for transfers and approvals
- Easy token creation and integration
- Compatible across exchange, wallet, and dApps
Pros:
- Simple and widely supported
- High security from years of testing
- Strong developer ecosystem
Unlike ERC-20 tokens, ERC-721 tokens stand apart and introduce the concept of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), making each token unique. This innovation sparked the global NFT boom, enabling digital collectibles, gaming assets, and tokenized art.
Its influence extends beyond art into real estate, intellectual property, and digital identity. In 2025, ERC-721 remains a crucial standard for any project aiming to bring uniqueness and ownership to the blockchain.
Features:
- Unique token IDs for each asset
- Metadata support for art, music, and collectibles
- Ownership tracking on-chain
Pros:
- Powered the NFT boom
- Ideal for digital collectibles, art, and identity
- Proven and widely adopted
ERC-1155 is a game-changer and provides a smart way to handle different token types. It allows a single contract to manage multiple token types—both fungible and non-fungible. This efficiency reduces gas fees and simplifies smart contract management.
This flexibility is especially useful for gaming platforms, metaverses and marketplaces in 2025, enabling seamless interaction between multiple assets all in one smart contract. Projects like Enjin and Immutable X showcase ERC-1155’s power in large-scale ecosystems.
Features:
- Batch transfers for multiple assets
- Supports fungible (like game coins) and NFTs (like in-game items)
- Reduce smart contract deployment costs
Pros:
- Gas-efficient
- Flexible asset creation
- Great for large-scale NFT or gaming platforms
ERC-4626 is an Ethereum standard built for DeFi yield-bearing vaults, making it easier for protocols to integrate with liquidity pools and vaults. This system is key to staking and farming and made more efficient for deposit tokens , withdrawals and slashing.
It is extending the ERC-20 token standard to implement interoperability and simplifying integrations. It’s increasingly popular with protocols like Yearn Finance and Balancer. It simplifies the complexity of designing yield focused Defi protocols for developers.
Features:
- Standardizes vault interactions
- Works with lending and staking protocols
- Improves DeFi composability
Pros:
- Simplifies DeFi integrations
- Improves security with consistent implementation
- Reduces protocol fragmentation
ERC- 4337 introduces account abstraction, fundamentally changing the way blockchain accounts were working. One of its unique specialties is it allows smart contract wallets to function more like traditional accounts and adds flexibility for features like gas fee sponsorship and recovery mechanisms.
With this standard, onboarding new Web3 users becomes easier, making Ethereum more user-friendly and secure. Many wallet providers are adopting it in 2025 to bring Web2-like simplicity to Web3.
Features:
- Smart account programmability
- Social recovery and custom rules
- Gas abstraction for users
Pros:
- Improves user experience
- Makes wallets safer and more flexible
- Easier mainstream adoption
ERC-777 improves upon ERC-20 by introducing advanced features like hooks, operator functionality, and a more flexible transfer system. This token reduces transaction fees, by transferring in a single transaction meanwhile ERC-20 makes two separate transactions. It enhances token usability and security while remaining backward compatible with ERC-20.
Features:
- Backward compatible with ERC-20
- Simplifies token transfers and approvals
- Built-in advanced security
Pros:
- More functionality than ERC-20
- Easy integration with existing apps
- Strong security features
ERC-223 enhances ERC-20 by focusing on safer and more efficient token transfers. ERC223 avoids losing tokens accidentally by checking for unsupported smart contracts before the transactions are finalized, a common issue with ERC-20. ERC-223 also makes transactions cheaper and simpler,as it allows single-step transfers to both wallets and contracts.
It enhances security, usability, and gas efficiency and makes it easy for developers to adopt. ERC-223 is a smart choice for projects that are prioritized for safe transfers and better user experience without compromising Ethereum ecosystem compatibility.
Features:
- Detects unsupported transfers
- Reducing gas fees and transaction complexity
- Streamlined token handling
Pros:
- Safer token transfers
- Reduces user errors
- Easier integration with dApps
ERC-1400 is an Ethereum standard that is renowned for its robust security and represents regulatory compliance. It introduces features like partitioned ownership, compliance checks, and restricted transfers to meet legal requirements. From the ST20 protocol, ERC1400 offers a flexible and extensible set of standards, that make it easier for businesses to launch fully compliant security token offerings.
Features:
- Built-in compliance checks
- Supports restricted transfers
- Detailed investor information tracking
Pros:
- Ideal for regulated industries
- Brings real-world assets to blockchain
- Institutional adoption ready
ERC-6551 is a token standard meant to meet the need for scalable transactions by leveraging new functionalities like bundling multiple transactions. This method is optimized for gas fees, decreases network congestion, and enhances the throughput capacity of decentralized applications. This unlocks entirely new possibilities for gaming, DAOs, and metaverse assets.
In 2025, ERC6551 is gaining momentum as projects experiment with dynamic, self-contained NFTs that carry identity, inventory, and even governance power.
Features:
- Each NFT has its own account
- Dynamic NFTs with added utility
- Fully decentralized
Pros:
- Unlock “smart NFTs” with real utility
- Opens new possibilities in gaming and DAOs
- Future-proof for metaverse use
ERC-865 makes it easy to manage transaction fees by enabling users to pay for gas in ERC-20 tokens rather than ETH. This functionality makes onboarding easier for new users and eliminates the pain of always having to use ETH for transactions.
This standard enhances usability, accessibility, and adoption while preserving compatibility with current Ethereum infrastructure. ERC-865 is an excellent option for platforms looking to onboard non-technical users, lower barriers to entry, and provide a smooth Web3 experience.
Features:
- Enables third-party fee payment (meta-transactions)
- Simplifies onboarding for non-ETH users
- Supports smoother dApp integrations
Pros:
- Lowers barriers for new users
- Makes apps more user-friendly
- Encourages mass adoption by reducing ETH dependency
To Wrap Up
In 2025, Ethereum token standards offer numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and grow within the Web3 world. At present blockchain technology is growing quickly, so being aware of these ERC standards and employing reliable tools will enable you to optimize the use of the Web3 world. If you are seeking to launch a tokenized asset or navigate token compliance standards, having the right expertise behind your project is crucial. Maticz is a leading Ethereum token development company, experts in providing solid blockchain solutions built on the latest ERC standards. From idea to deployment, our experts ensure your blockchain product is secure, reliable, and shaped by market demands, making us the go-to partner for future-ready Ethereum solutions.
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