CIP-20: Cardano Native Tokens
Why CIP-20
Native, lightweight and open
Native to Cardano
The ledger tracks the token the same way it tracks ADA. Holding or sending it needs no smart contract.
Labelled transactions
Transactions carry metadata that labels what they are for, so transfers stay readable on-chain.
Open transfers
There are no ledger-level transfer rules. Once a token is at a Cardano address, it can be sent to any other address.
Choosing a standard
CIP-20 or CIP-113?
Open payments and utility
For fungible tokens that any Cardano address may hold and transfer, without identity checks on the ledger.
Regulated, restricted tokens
When only verified holders may receive the token, or you need freeze and seize on-chain, choose CIP-113.
CIP-20 has no on-chain identity checks, freeze or seize. NAV for a CIP-20 token is recorded in T-Suite rather than anchored on-chain.
In T-Suite
How CIP-20 issuance works
01
Choose CIP-20
Pick CIP-20 as the standard in the offering wizard, then Cardano mainnet, or Preview to try it first.
02
Mint under a policy
T-Suite mints the token under its own minting policy. The policy id identifies the token on Cardano.
03
Deliver to investors
Investors receive tokens at their Cardano address and can hold them in any Cardano wallet.
At a glance
CIP-20 snapshot
- Standard
- CIP-20 (Cardano native token)
- Networks
- Cardano mainnet · Preview
- Asset model
- Native multi-asset
- Identity checks
- None on the ledger
- Freeze / seize
- Not supported (use CIP-113)
- NAV
- Recorded in T-Suite (off-chain)
- Transfers
- Open wallet-to-wallet