In-depth analysis of the Jetton token standard: An innovative move in the TON ecosystem

The Open Network (TON), as a high-performance public blockchain developed by the Telegram team, is gradually improving its ecosystem infrastructure. Among them, the introduction of the Jetton token standard provides developers and users with a new way to create and manage custom digital assets.

What exactly is Jetton?

Jetton is a custom cryptocurrency standard deployed on the TON blockchain. Its design concept is similar to Ethereum’s ERC-20, but there are fundamental differences in implementation mechanisms.

Each Jetton token has interchangeable features — one token is functionally and value-wise identical to another of the same type. This characteristic makes Jetton an ideal choice for building dApps and complex economic models.

Jetton vs. ERC-20: Differences Between the Two Standards

Unique features of Jetton:

• Built on TON architecture, with each token managed by an independent smart contract
• Fully utilizes TON’s advanced features, including Sharding and asynchronous messaging
• Naturally supports higher throughput and lower transaction fees

Current status of ERC-20:

• Runs on Ethereum, with all balances managed by a single smart contract
• Widely integrated into thousands of applications and trading platforms
• Ecosystem is mature but scalability is limited

Technical Architecture of Jetton Revealed

Two-layer smart contract system

Jetton’s operation relies on two key smart contracts:

Jetton Master Smart Contract acts as the central controller of the token, maintaining total supply, metadata, and management permissions. This contract ensures all Jetton instances conform to predefined parameters and standards, providing a trusted foundation for the entire token system.

Jetton Wallet Smart Contract independently manages each user’s balance and transactions. Unlike traditional centralized balance management, each user’s assets are stored in a dedicated smart contract. This decentralized design significantly enhances system security and flexibility.

Innovation in Transfer Mechanism

Jetton adopts a unique transfer process: the sender’s wallet contract sends a message to the recipient’s wallet contract, triggering balance updates on both sides. The entire process includes transfer notifications and balance settlement messages, ensuring atomicity and security of transactions, while effectively handling various transaction fees.

Practical Applications in the TON Ecosystem

New possibilities for stablecoins

Jetton can be used to mint stablecoins — digital currencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar. These tokens are especially suitable for daily payments and market volatility hedging. For example, some projects have launched USD-pegged stablecoins on TON, achieving low transfer costs and efficient value transfer.

Decentralized trading ecosystem

Several DEX projects have built on Jetton, allowing users to exchange tokens directly on-chain, completely bypassing intermediaries. This approach reduces fraud risk and offers higher privacy protection.

Incubator for innovative economic models

Jetton opens the door for new financing and incentive mechanisms. Projects can raise funds, incentivize participants, and build unique economic ecosystems by issuing exclusive Jettons. This model enables more innovative projects to attract users and capital, driving the expansion of the entire TON ecosystem.

How to create a Jetton token on TON

Creating a Jetton is relatively straightforward. Here are the core steps:

Step 1: Deploy a TON Wallet

First, obtain a TON wallet application and generate a personal address. The wallet should hold at least about 10 TON to cover on-chain fees for token creation.

Step 2: Access the Minting Tool

Through the official TON Minter interface, users can initialize the token creation process. Connecting the wallet to the Minter platform is a necessary prerequisite.

Step 3: Enter Token Parameters

Fill in basic token information in the Minter interface: name, symbol, decimal places, icon resource, and total supply. Users can also choose to add a token description.

Step 4: Deploy the Contract

After configuration, click the deploy button and confirm the operation in the wallet. Once the transaction is confirmed on-chain, the new Jetton token will automatically appear in the TON browser.

Essential Technical Components

• Jetton Master Contract: manages global token parameters and metadata
• Jetton Wallet Contract: handles individual balances and transaction logic
• Data Storage: uses Cell data structures for efficient information management

Security Risks and Protections for Jetton Tokens

Common Fraud Tactics

Fake Airdrop Traps: scammers lure users with free tokens, prompting them to disclose private keys or wallet information. Any request to share private keys should be considered malicious.

Impersonation of Tokens: malicious actors create similar-looking tokens, using names and logos close to legitimate projects to deceive users. Always verify contract addresses through official channels.

Phishing Attacks: fake emails or messages pretending to be official entities ask users to click links or submit sensitive information. Users should develop habits of verifying sender identities carefully.

Best Practices for Protection

Verify Contract Addresses via Multiple Channels: before any interaction, confirm the authenticity of the contract address through official announcements or project websites.

Choose Trusted Storage and Trading Platforms: operate Jetton tokens only on verified wallet applications or reputable trading platforms.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): add 2FA to accounts for an extra layer of security.

Continuous Learning: stay updated with official TON community announcements to learn about the latest security threats and defense strategies.

Accessing and Verifying Jetton Data

Smart Contract Data Queries

Methods like get_jetton_data() can retrieve core token data, including total supply, minting permissions, and metadata. This is crucial for verifying token authenticity and features.

Using API Tools

Toncenter API provides powerful data querying capabilities. By calling relevant endpoints (e.g., /runGetMethod), specifying contract addresses and query methods, developers can obtain detailed token information for analysis and verification.

Information Resources

On-chain explorers (such as tonscan.org) display public data like balances and transaction history. Many wallet applications also have built-in token management tools supporting real-time data viewing and secure transactions.

Future Directions of the Jetton Ecosystem

The TON community is working to further improve the Jetton standard. One upcoming major upgrade is the Wallet Address Discovery feature, which will enable applications to more easily identify and interact with specific Jetton wallet contracts, greatly simplifying development and enhancing user experience.

Additionally, features like Cross-Chain Message Integration are also being planned, which will further expand Jetton’s use cases and flexibility.

These improvements will significantly lower the technical barriers for developers, enabling them to build more complex and user-friendly applications. For users, smoother interfaces and better interoperability will greatly enhance the experience. It is expected that these upgrades will attract more developers and participants into the TON ecosystem, driving innovation and growth across the network.

Summary

The Jetton token standard provides a comprehensive framework for asset creation and management within the TON ecosystem. From its elegant technical design, diverse application scenarios, to its potential for ecosystem development, Jetton is gradually becoming a fundamental infrastructure for on-chain innovation.

Whether for stablecoins, DEX tokens, or creative financing tools, Jetton demonstrates strong adaptability. Developers and users should actively explore the possibilities of this standard while maintaining a focus on security practices to fully leverage the efficiency and openness of the TON blockchain.