Base B20 Token Standard: How Native Tokens Differ From ERC-20

Base just switched on something big for token builders: a native token standard called B20. If you’ve been minting ERC-20s for years, B20 looks familiar on the surface — but the guts are different. This piece breaks down what changed, why it matters for issuers and traders, and what to watch next.

We’ll compare B20 to ERC-20 in plain English, walk through how the factory actually works, and flag early on-chain patterns from launch week. There’s a checklist for safe deployment and a few traps to avoid if you’re buying into new B20 tickers.

Editor's note: I watched Base’s B20 go live in early July and the first hours were exactly what you’d expect: a torrent of meme mints, identical supplies, and thin pools that moved on whispers. Our desk tested provenance checks against the 0xB20f factory and the 0xB200 token prefix, which saved time we usually waste on contract spelunking. Conversations with infra teams in July pointed to quick wallet parity but slower explorer upgrades for showing policy states. I’m keeping an eye on the fee-in-B20 plan from Base’s Cobalt notes; if that ships, user onboarding for new tokens could get a lot smoother. — Elliot Veynor

… Continue reading the full article at the original source below.