--- title: Minting url: "https://www.unknowngravity.com/en/glosario/minting" site: Unknown Gravity published: "2025-06-11T06:44:26+00:00" modified: "2026-07-15T10:51:27+00:00" language: en-US description: "Minting or minting process is the operation by which a new token is created - either fungible (such as an ERC-20 token) or non-fungible (such as an ERC-721 or ERC-1155 NFT) - and is registered in a…" section: "Home > Minting" --- # Minting GLOSSARY · BLOCKCHAIN & WEB3 Minting creates the token and records it on-chain through a smart contract: an ERC-20 is born with its supply, an NFT with its tokenId and its metadata. WHAT IS IT? · FOR DUMMIES **Minting** on a blockchain is like striking a coin or creating a unique digital object. When you mint an NFT or token, you're officially creating it to exist on a blockchain, as if you were giving it digital life. From there, that token is registered forever and can be used, sold or exchanged like any other digital asset. WHAT IS IT? · PRO **Minting** is the operation by which a new token is created - either fungible (such as an ERC-20 token) or non-fungible (such as an ERC-721 or ERC-1155 NFT) - and is registered in a way **unchanging** on a blockchain through the execution of a smart contract. This process involves the generation of a new entry in the decentralized general ledger, assigning a **unique identifier (TokenID)** and, in the case of NFTs, the link to a set of **metadata** that can represent images, attributes, copyrights, utilities or functions within a decentralized application. Minting can be carried out in different contexts: as part of a generative collection, under whitelist conditions, with cryptocurrency payments (as in the case of auctions), or free of charge as a marketing strategy. At a technical level, the process usually involves the use of functions `mint()` or `SafeMint()` that execute the logic programmed in the smart contract, consuming gas depending on the network used. In advanced contracts, mechanisms are implemented for **supply limitation**, **Authorized minter role**, **time restrictions** or **Verification by Merkle Tree**. Minting is a fundamental pillar in the Web3 economy: it allows everything from launching NFT collections and establishing economies within blockchain games, to issuing tokens for DAOs, STOs or utility tokens in DeFi ecosystems. In addition, from a legal and financial point of view, minting may entail regulatory obligations if the token created represents a financial value (such as in the tokenization of assets). Therefore, its implementation must include both technical and regulatory aspects to avoid future problems in the circulation and commercialization of digital assets. ## 01 / Key points - Process of creating and registering tokens on a blockchain - Use smart contracts to mint NFTs or fungible tokens - In NFTs, a unique ID is assigned and metadata is linked - It can be free, whitelisted, paid or conditional - Fundamental for NFT collections, DAOs, DeFi and Web3 games ## 02 / Advantages - **Decentralization and traceability: the token is publicly and permanently registered** - **Shortage control: you can define maximum supply and emission conditions** - **Creative and technical flexibility: allows you to configure unique dynamics for each type of token** - **Immediate applicability: minted tokens can be used in games, DAOs, marketplaces, etc.** - **Economic potential: it is the basis for launching collections, projects or complete digital economies** ## 03 / Disadvantages - **Gas costs**: may involve high fees, especially in congested networks - **Risk of poor programming**: errors in the mint contract can be costly or irreversible - **Possible Legal Implications**: if tokens are minted that are considered unregulated securities - **Saturation of the NFT market**: many worthless collections flood the ecosystem - **Fraud risks**: mintings without transparency or with misleading promises can generate losses RELATED CONCEPTS [NFT (Non-Fungible Token)](/en/glosario/nft-token-no-fungible) [Smart contract](/en/glosario/smart-contract) [NFT metadata](/en/glosario/metadatos-nft) [Token](/en/glosario/token) [ERC-721](/en/glosario/erc-721) [ERC-1155](/en/glosario/erc-1155) KEEP LEARNING [Benefits of creating your own NFT Marketplace](/en/articulos/beneficios-de-crear-tu-propio-marketplace-nft) [How to create your own blockchain-based cryptocurrency](/en/articulos/crear-tu-propia-criptomoneda-blockchain) [Tokenomics that work: How to design an economy that doesn't collapse in 6 months](/en/articulos/tokenomics-que-funcionan-como-disenar-una-economia-que-no-se-derrumbe-en-6-meses) [Smart Contracts without surprises: common mistakes in Solidity and how to avoid them](/en/articulos/smart-contracts-soliditys-errores-comunes-y-como-evitarlos) [Smart contracts: good practices that will save you from a hack](/en/articulos/contratos-inteligentes-bien-hechos-buenas-practicas-que-te-salvaran-de-un-hack) RELATED SERVICES [Create NFT collections](/en/servicios/colecciones-nft) [Development of smart contracts](/en/servicios/company-development-smart-contracts) [Token development](/en/servicios/desarrollo-de-tokens) [Token issuance](/en/servicios/emision-de-tokens) [White label tokenization platform](/en/servicios/plataforma-tokenizacion-marca-blanca) [Full glossary](/en/glosario) This entry is informative. It is not legal, tax or investment advice. The rules cited change: check the current version on [BOE](https://www.boe.es) and [EUR-Lex](https://eur-lex.europa.eu).