• BEP 20 is a token standard used to create and mint new crypto coins or tokens on BSC
• Its specific design enables BSC to accommodate smart contracts that automate transactions, effectively supporting its decentralized operations
• The Binance Smart Chain is gradually expanding within the Web3 ecosystem by increasing its transacting volume, total value locked and user base
  

The Web3 ecosystem has thrived over the previous decade leading to the emergence of new blockchain inventions that consistently support and improve it. This has led to the consistent rise of specific blockchain technology such as the Binance Smart Chain(BSC) or even new consensus mechanisms such as Proof-of-Authority and Proof-of-Stake.

Ethereum is a prime example of an innovative approach to Web3 since it ushered in the token standard ERC20. This allowed smart contracts to work more efficiently. BSC emulated this initiative and constructed its very own BEP20 token. What we are about to discuss will need prior information on what the ERC20 token is, and the link below will significantly help.

Also, Read ERC-20 as a core standard behind Ethereum’s success.

What is BEP20

BEP 20 is a token standard used to create and mint new crypto coins or tokens on BSC. The preliminary design of the token standard was to act as an extension of the ERC20 commonly used within the Ethereum ecosystem. It is essentially a blueprint indicating how to spend the crypto coin, who can spend it and the general dos and don’ts surrounding its ecosystem.

To truly understand BEP20, you require some knowledge of BSC and what it entails.

Brief Introduction of BSC

In layman’s language, Binance Smart Chain is a blockchain technology that runs smart contracts. It works together and in parallel to Binance Chain, the first blockchain technology in Binance used on its non-custodial exchange platform.

The Binance team aspired to improve its operations and transactions, giving it the edge that its competitors have. In this line of thought, they decided to take a leaf from Ethereum projects and focus on reducing their network congestion. By letting go of various capabilities, the Binance Chain could fulfil this role, but multiple issues arose.

Also, Read Wrapped Bitcoin is a new way of applying Bitcoin in the Ethereum ecosystem.

Binance Chain lacked feasibility and was unable to incorporate a decentralized design. This prompted their developers to create an additional chain whose sole purpose was optimizing Binance, thus birthing BSC. 

Its specific design enables BSC to accommodate smart contracts that automate transactions, effectively supporting its decentralized operations.

Binance combines both chains to form a dual architecture. They each operate independently but are interconnected using the Binance bridge. This bridge contains specific mechanisms that allow both chains to interact and communicate. This structure enables the BSC to operate fully even if Binance Chain experiences technical difficulties.

Binance’s collaboration with Ethereum has dramatically benefited the BSC. It is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine allowing users to interact with a dApp r use MetaMask seamlessly. This collaboration has contributed significantly to the Web3 ecosystem. 

Parameters within BEP20 Token Standard

It is essential to note that BEP20 tokens thrive mainly on BNB. This is due to the various similarities between the two token standards.

Like the ERC20 token, the BEP20 contains different parameters used in token creation. They define the token standard’s distinct capabilities and are critical in understanding its functionalities. Below are the BEP20 token standard’s parameters;

• Can Mint – Serves as the inflationary parameter for the BEP20 standard. It provides the necessary specifications when creating new tokens to increase the BEP20 supply.
• Can Burn – This is the inverse of the ‘Can Mint’ parameter and is deflationary. Burning is essentially destroying a token to reduce its supply, therefore, elevating its value.
• Can Pause is an innovative parameter not found within the ERC20 token. It safeguards the token standard against malicious attacks. In any cyber attack or platform downtime, users can temporarily halt all BEP20 token Operations. This cuts off the attack surface of the perpetrator, significantly reducing the damages caused within the Web3 ecosystem. However, this parameter is centralized, and the creators with similar authority can pause operations of the BEP20-based network.
• Blacklist – This parameter can ban or blocklist suspicious BEP20 addresses. It works alongside the Can Pause parameter to mitigate and safeguard the BSC ecosystem in the event of an attack.

Also, Read The Sandbox, a core component of the Metaverse and crypto in the gaming industry.

BEP20-based projects

The Binance Smart Chain is gradually expanding within the Web3 ecosystem by increasing its transacting volume, total value locked and user base. It has incorporated additional dApp developers to create new inventions based on the BEP20. Below are a few projects based on the token standard;

• AutoFarm – This is a yield aggregator and a decentralized exchange platform built based on BEP20. Its users use tangible assets as collateral and liquidity, and its vaults carry out all automated actions. It also contains various DeFi features such as a BEP20 wallet, Metamask and BSC.
• PancakeSwap – This is currently the most successful project within the BSC ecosystem. It is one of the leading decentralized platforms within BSC due to its diverse functionalities. It incorporates various tokens and has successfully launched its NFT marketplace. All these have made it a popular pick for most developers within the Web3 ecosystem.
• Venus, BEP20 Money Market Protocol – Venus offers a credible protocol based on token standards supported by decentralized foundations in BSC. As an algorithm-based money market system, Venus employs two distinct BEP20 tokens, one is serving as the stablecoin and the other as the governance token. 

BEP20 has been used to create various crypto coins such as ;

• CAKE
• BUX
• BUSD
• ALPHA
• WBNB
• SAFEMOON

Final Remarks

BEP20 token has flourished within the BSC ecosystem, allowing plenty of Web3 developers to showcase their ingenuity. Some have even claimed that BEP20 improves ERC20 by offering various features that the token standard lacks. These inventions have constantly contributed to the expansion of the Web3 ecosystem. Africa is still in the line of adopting cryptocurrency, and we expect more incredible innovations from this new market.