ARC20 Token: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters in Crypto

When people talk about ARC20 token, a term often mistaken for a real blockchain token standard, but in reality, it's a fabricated name used by scams to mimic legitimate protocols. Also known as ARC20 standard, it doesn't exist on any major blockchain network like Ethereum, BNB Chain, or Solana. Unlike real standards such as ERC20, the most widely adopted token standard on Ethereum that defines how tokens are created, transferred, and tracked, ARC20 has no code, no developers, and no documentation. It’s purely a marketing trick.

Scammers use fake names like ARC20 to make you think a project is legit—especially when they claim you can claim free tokens or stake them for high returns. These scams often show fake wallet addresses, fake contract addresses, or even fake websites that look like real exchanges. Real token standards like ERC20, a technical specification that allows tokens to interact with wallets and decentralized apps, or BEP20, the BNB Smart Chain version of ERC20 that powers most tokens on that network, have public code, audits, and active communities. ARC20 has none of that. If you see an airdrop or token sale claiming to be ARC20, it’s not a project—it’s a trap.

Why does this matter? Because if you’re new to crypto, you might not know the difference between a real standard and a fake name. Real tokens like FOX token, the governance token for ShapeShift DAO that lets holders vote on platform changes, or DAO Maker’s DAO token, used to govern a crypto launchpad and reward contributors, have clear use cases, transparent contracts, and verifiable activity. ARC20 doesn’t. It’s just noise. And noise like this is why so many people lose money chasing phantom tokens.

Every post in this collection is built to help you cut through that noise. You’ll find real breakdowns of actual token standards, deep dives into how real airdrops work, and clear warnings about scams using fake names like ARC20. You’ll learn how to spot a fake contract, what to look for in a token’s code, and why some projects have zero trading volume but still claim to be "the next big thing." This isn’t theory—it’s practical defense. By the end, you won’t just know what ARC20 isn’t—you’ll know exactly how to tell what’s real in crypto, and what’s just a mirage.