multitokenstandard

Multitokenstandard, commonly known as the Multi Token Standard, is a blockchain token standard that enables the management of multiple token types within a single smart contract. The most widely known implementation is Ethereum's ERC-1155, introduced by Enjin and subsequently adopted by the broader ecosystem. The standard allows a single contract to manage fungible tokens, non-fungible tokens, and semi-fungible tokens by using distinct token identifiers (IDs) to represent token classes.

Under multitokenstandard, each address holds a balance for each token ID. A single contract can mint, transfer, and burn multiple token types, and batch operations permit transferring or modifying many IDs in one call. The standard defines events such as TransferSingle, TransferBatch, ApprovalForAll, and URI, and includes safety checks so transfers to smart contracts occur only if the recipient can handle the tokens. Metadata for each token ID can be expressed via a URI pattern that may be dynamic based on the token ID.

Uses include gaming assets where in-game items are tokens within one contract, digital collectibles, and mixed asset portfolios where fungible currencies and unique items coexist. ERC-1155 improves gas efficiency by enabling batch transfers and reducing the number of contracts required. It has seen widespread adoption by marketplaces and across interoperable chains, with support integrated into major wallets and tooling.

Limitations include the need for careful design to manage token types and the potential complexity of permissioning and metadata hosting. While not the only multi-token approach, multitokenstandard remains the de facto concept for systems that support multiple token types under a single contract, and the term often refers to standards like ERC-1155 that fulfill this role.