BEP-20 vs ERC-20: The Two Token Standards Shaping Web3

When Ethereum launched ERC-20, it revolutionized token creation—no need to code an entire blockchain anymore. Then BSC (BNB Smart Chain) arrived in 2020 with BEP-20, its own standard, effectively creating an alternative to Ethereum’s monopoly.

What exactly is BEP-20?

Imagine ERC-20 as the original “blueprint.” BEP-20 is essentially its clone, but it operates on BSC instead of Ethereum. The similarity is so strong that both are compatible—the tokens can even migrate from one chain to another via the Binance Bridge at no cost (a process called “Peg-in”).

For devs, it’s a game-changer: creating a token on BSC is faster and cheaper than migrating from Ethereum. No blockchain experience required.

The 4 superpowers of BEP-20

Blacklist – Block malicious addresses? It’s possible.

Mintable – Minting new tokens = controlled inflation. Useful for dynamic token economies.

Burnable – The opposite: destroying tokens to reduce supply and theoretically raise the price. This is the classic deflationary strategy.

Pausable – The most controversial option: freeze all transfers in case of an attack. The problem? It centralizes power, which goes against the crypto philosophy.

ERC-20 vs BEP-20: really that different?

No. They share the same fundamentals: ownership, transfer, issuance. The real difference? Transaction speed and cost—BSC is faster and cheaper. That’s why devs who couldn’t afford Ethereum’s gas fees migrated.

The interesting thing: instead of fiercely competing, the two chains complement each other through bridges. Tokens can move between ecosystems, creating true interoperability.

The real lesson

Web3 isn’t a “winner-takes-all” game between Ethereum and BSC. It’s the rise of a fragmented network where standards must coexist. ERC-20 and BEP-20 aren’t enemies—they’re twin brothers proving that tech diversity strengthens the ecosystem.