Think of crypto as an ice cream parlor with tons of different flavors and toppings.
Some are classic. Some are wild. Some… don’t even belong in the shop.

We’ve carved up the menu into four simple scoops — so you can actually taste what’s what.

Coins vs Tokens — The Basics

Let’s get this out of the way first

• Coins are the foundation. They live on their own blockchain.

  • Bitcoin runs on Bitcoin.

  • Ether (ETH) runs on Ethereum.
    Think of them as the native currency of each network.

• Tokens are built on top of other blockchains.

  • Stuff like USDC, Chainlink (LINK), or Uniswap (UNI) live on Ethereum. They’re like apps that run inside an ecosystem rather than owning the hardware.

In short:

Coins = The network.
Tokens = The stuff people build on top of it.

Alright — time for ice cream. 🍨 Let’s make it four scoops!!

1. The Money Layer — Digital Value in Motion

These are the OGs — the coins that actually behave like money.
They store, send, and protect value.

Bitcoin (BTC)

The original crypto. Only 21 million will ever exist. Often seen as digital gold — a hedge against inflation and a symbol of financial independence. Used globally for payments, remittances, and yes… flexing freedom.

Stablecoins (USDC/ USDT/ etc)

Crypto’s “steady hands.” Pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and used for fast, low-cost transactions.
Institutions love them — they’re fast, secure, always online, and stable. Use them to move money, earn DeFi yield, or dodge volatility.

CBDCs (Digital Yuan/ eNaira/ etc)

The government’s version of crypto — official digital currencies. CBDCs offer faster, traceable payments and financial inclusion… but raise questions about privacy.

Privacy Coins (Monero / XMR, Zcash / ZEC)

The masked vigilantes of crypto. They keep transactions private and identities hidden — great for privacy buffs, not so great for regulators.

2. The Tech Layer — The Builders

This is where crypto gets its brains and speed.
Coins and tokens here power apps, networks, and all things DeFi.

Altcoins (ETH / SOL / BNB / AVAX / etc.)

The “tech stocks” of crypto — powering ecosystems where apps, games, and DeFi live.

• Ethereum runs DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs.

• Solana runs lightning-fast networks for payments and memes.

If Bitcoin is digital gold, these are the App Stores of crypto. There’s endless innovation happening here.

Utility Tokens (LINK / BAT / AR / etc.)

Tokens that actually do something.

• LINK connects smart contracts to real-world data.

• BAT rewards people for viewing ads on Brave browser.

• AR stores data permanently on-chain.

Purpose-built. Functional. Essential.

DeFi Tokens (AAVE / COMP / SNX / etc.)

Your passport to decentralized banking.
Earn yield, lend assets, borrow instantly — no paperwork, no bankers.
These tokens are the “shares” of DeFi platforms — the more you use, the more you earn.
P2P finance is one of the most exciting corners of crypto.

Governance Tokens (MKR / UNI / ENS / etc.)

In crypto, users are the board of directors. Owning governance tokens means voting on upgrades, fees, and treasury decisions. Democracy — with gas fees.

3. The Ownership Layer — Assets You Can Actually Own

This world brings real-world value on-chain. Stocks, gold, houses, art — all tokenized, fractional, and tradable.

Security Tokens

Represent regulated investments like equity, debt, or funds. Platforms such as tZERO or Securitize issue them for startups and funds. Think Wall Street meets Web3.

Asset-Backed / RWA Tokens (PAXG, RealT, Ondo Finance)

Tokens backed by real stuff.

• PAXG = one ounce of gold.

• RealT = fractional property ownership.

• Ondo = tokenized U.S. Treasuries.
  The next evolution in passive income — owning pieces of the physical world on-chain.

NFTs (Pudgy Penguins, Art Blocks, Nike .SWOOSH)

The cultural flex of crypto. NFTs prove digital ownership — art, music, access, even sneaker drops. They turned JPEGs into identity, and collectibles into communities.

4. The Culture Layer — Where Vibes Become Value

This world is all about community, creativity, and chaos. Finance meets fandom.

Fan Tokens (CHZ, PSG, CITY, Socios)

Where sports, entertainment, and crypto collide.
Fan tokens let supporters get closer to their teams, artists, and creators — with perks like voting, merch drops, and VIP access.

• CHZ (Chiliz) powers tokens for clubs like PSG, Manchester City, and Barcelona.

• Musicians and creators are launching their own tokens to reward loyal fans.
  They blend identity, ownership, and community — turning fans into stakeholders.

Memecoins (DOGE / SHIB / PENGU / PEPE / etc)

The internet’s favorite inside joke — that somehow became a multibillion-dollar market.
DOGE became Elon Musk’s mascot. SHIB built a DeFi and NFT ecosystem. PENGU is literally everywhere. They’re powered by memes, momentum, and millions of believers — proof that in crypto, culture moves markets.

Just remember: they’re mostly speculative, so DYOR before you ape in.

Why It Matters

Knowing exactly why each crypto exists makes it really easy to triangulate its value. Quick recap:

• Bitcoin is the OG money & store of value.

• Ethereum and Solana are the tech.

• NFTs and RWAs are the ownership.

• Memecoins and fan tokens are the culture.

Together, they form a digital economy that runs 24/7 — borderless, permissionless, and unstoppable.

Shout out for making it to the end!!