Token Operations

ERC-20 token operations: transfers, approvals, balance management, and token information retrieval.

Checking Token Balances

Get Token Balance

Check your balance of any ERC-20 token:

Get my USDC balance

Example Output:

Token Balance:
Amount: 1000.0 USDC
Raw: 1000000000
Decimals: 6

Check Multiple Token Balances

Show me all my token balances

Example Output:

Token Balance:
Amount: 1000.0 USDC
Raw: 1000000000
Decimals: 6

Get Token Information

Learn about any token contract:

Get USDC token info

Example Output:

Token Information:
Name: USD Coin
Symbol: USDC
Decimals: 6

Token Transfers

Basic Token Transfer

Send tokens to another address:

Transfer 100 USDC to 0x70997970C51812dc3A010C7d01b50e0d17dc79C8

Example Output:

Token transfer successful
Transaction hash: 0xabc123def456...
Token: USDC
To: 0x70997970C51812dc3A010C7d01b50e0d17dc79C8
Amount: 100.0

Transfer Using Token Address

You can also specify tokens by contract address:

Transfer 50 tokens at 0xA0b86991c431B... to 0x7099

Transfer Maximum Amount

Send all available tokens:

Transfer all USDC to 0x3C44

Example Output:

💰 Maximum Token Transfer

📊 Calculation:
- Current USDC Balance: 1000.0 USDC  
- Amount to Transfer: 1000.0 USDC
- Gas Fee: ~0.001365 ETH (paid in ETH)

Transferring all 1000.0 USDC...

Gas Fees: Token transfers require ETH for gas fees, even when transferring other tokens. Always keep some ETH in your wallet for gas.

Token Approvals

Understanding Approvals

Token approvals allow other addresses (usually smart contracts) to spend your tokens on your behalf. This is essential for:

• DEX Trading - Allowing exchanges to trade your tokens

• DeFi Protocols - Lending, borrowing, yield farming

• NFT Marketplaces - Using tokens to buy NFTs

Approve Token Spending

Allow a contract to spend your tokens:

Approve 1000 USDC spending for 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984

Example Output:

Token approval successful
Transaction hash: 0xdef456abc789...
Token: USDC
Spender: 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984
Amount: 1000

Unlimited Approval

Grant unlimited spending permission:

Approve unlimited USDC spending for 0x1f9840

Example Output:

Token approval successful
Transaction hash: 0x789abc123def...
Token: USDC
Spender: 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984
Amount: max

• Consider revoking approval when done

💡 Use "Revoke USDC approval for 0x1f9840" to remove this permission

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Security Warning**: Unlimited approvals are convenient but risky. Only grant unlimited approvals to contracts you absolutely trust, and revoke them when no longer needed.
{% endhint %}

### Revoke Token Approvals

Revoke approval by setting amount to 0:

Approve 0 USDC spending for 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984

**Example Output:**

Token approval successful Transaction hash: 0x123abc456def... Token: USDC Spender: 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984 Amount: 0

## Multi-Chain Token Operations

### Different Tokens per Chain

Tokens exist independently on each blockchain:

| Chain | Popular Tokens |
|-------|---------------|
| Ethereum | USDC, USDT, DAI, UNI, AAVE |
| Polygon | USDC.e, USDT, DAI, POL, WETH |
| Sepolia | Test versions of above tokens |

### Switch Chains for Token Operations

Switch to Polygon Get my USDC balance Transfer 100 USDC to 0x7099

**Chain-Specific Considerations:**
- **Gas Fees**: Paid in native token (ETH on Ethereum, POL on Polygon)
- **Token Addresses**: Same token has different addresses on different chains
- **Bridge Requirements**: Moving tokens between chains requires bridge services

## Advanced Token Operations

### Token Swapping Preparation

Prepare tokens for DEX trading by approving router contracts:

Approve 1000 USDC spending for Uniswap V3 Router

### Token Allowance Management

Check all approvals for a token:

Show all USDC approvals for my wallet

Batch revoke multiple approvals:

Revoke all USDC approvals

### Token Analytics

Get detailed token metrics:

Analyze USDC token contract

**Example Output:**

🔬 Token Analysis: USDC

📊 Contract Metrics:

• Total Supply: 40,502,123,456 USDC

• Holders: 1,234,567 addresses

• Transfers: 15,678,901 total

🔍 Features Detected:

• ✅ Standard ERC-20 implementation

• ✅ Pausable (admin can pause transfers)

• ✅ Blacklistable (admin can block addresses)

• ❌ Not mintable by public

🛡️ Security:

• Audited by multiple firms

• Centralized issuance model

• Regulatory compliance features

## Token Development & Testing

### Add Custom Tokens

Add tokens not automatically detected:

Add custom token at 0x123abc... with symbol TEST and 18 decimals

### Test Token Faucets

In mock mode, get unlimited test tokens:

Get test USDC from faucet Get 1000 DAI from faucet

**Mock Token Features:**
- Unlimited supply for testing
- No rate limits or restrictions
- Automatically refilled balances
- Support for all common token standards

## Error Handling

### Common Token Errors

**Insufficient Token Balance**

❌ Token Transfer Failed: Insufficient Balance

💰 Required: 1500.0 USDC 💰 Available: 1000.0 USDC 💰 Shortfall: 500.0 USDC

🔧 Solutions:

• Reduce amount: "Transfer 900 USDC to 0x7099"

• Get more tokens: "Get test USDC from faucet" (mock mode)

• Check different wallet: "Connect to 0x3C44"

**Insufficient ETH for Gas**

❌ Token Transfer Failed: Insufficient ETH for Gas

💰 Required ETH: 0.002 ETH (for gas) 💰 Available ETH: 0.001 ETH 💰 Shortfall: 0.001 ETH

🔧 Solutions:

• Get more ETH: "Get test ETH from faucet"

• Use different wallet: "Connect to wallet with ETH"

• Reduce gas price: "Transfer with slow gas"

**Token Not Found**

❌ Token "UNKNOWN" not found

🔍 Searched for: UNKNOWN token ⛓️ Chain: Anvil (31337)

🔧 Solutions:

• Check spelling: Common tokens are USDC, USDT, DAI

• Use contract address: "Transfer 100 tokens at 0x123abc..."

• Add custom token: "Add token 0x123abc... with symbol UNKNOWN"

• List available: "Show available tokens"

**Approval Required**

❌ Token Transfer Failed: Approval Required

📋 Issue: Contract needs approval to spend your tokens 📍 Token: USDC 📍 Contract: 0x1f9840...F984 💰 Requested: 1000.0 USDC

🔧 Solution: "Approve 1000 USDC spending for 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984"

## Security Best Practices

### Token Approval Safety

1. **Minimal Approvals**: Only approve what you need

❌ Approve unlimited USDC for DEX ✅ Approve 1000 USDC for DEX

2. **Trusted Contracts**: Only approve well-known, audited contracts
3. **Regular Cleanup**: Revoke unused approvals periodically
4. **Monitor Activity**: Check approval transactions regularly

### Token Transfer Safety

1. **Verify Addresses**: Double-check recipient addresses

"Confirm address 0x70997970C51812dc3A010C7d01b50e0d17dc79C8 is correct"

2. **Test Small Amounts**: Send small amounts first for new recipients

"Transfer 1 USDC to test the address first"

3. **Check Network**: Ensure you're on the correct chain

"What chain am I on before sending tokens?"

### Mock vs Real Mode Considerations

**Mock Mode (Safe Testing)**:
- ✅ Unlimited token supplies
- ✅ No real money at risk
- ✅ Practice complex operations safely

**Real Mode (Testnet Only)**:
- ⚠️ Limited testnet token supplies
- ⚠️ Real gas costs (testnet ETH)
- ❌ **Never use mainnet tokens**

## Troubleshooting

### Token Not Showing

**Check Network**: Ensure you're on the correct chain

"What network am I on?" "Switch to Ethereum"

**Verify Address**: Confirm token contract address

"Get token info for 0xA0b86991c431B..." "Add custom token 0xA0b86991c431B..."

### Transfer Failures

**Gas Issues**: Most common cause

"Check my ETH balance for gas" "Estimate gas for token transfer"

**Approval Issues**: Required for many token operations

"Check USDC approval for 0x1f9840..." "Approve USDC spending for contract"

### Balance Discrepancies

**Network Confusion**: Same tokens on different chains

"What chain shows my USDC balance?" "Switch to Polygon to check USDC.e"

**Transaction Pending**: Recent transactions not yet confirmed

"Check pending transactions" "Get transaction status 0xabc123..."

## Next Steps

Now that you understand token operations, explore related features:

👉 **[NFT Operations →](nft-operations.md)** - Manage digital collectibles
👉 **[Chain Management →](chain-management.md)** - Multi-chain token strategies  
👉 **[Security →](security.md)** - Advanced token security practices

### Practice Exercises

1. **Basic Token Operations**
   - Check balances of different tokens
   - Transfer tokens between test wallets
   - Practice token information retrieval

2. **Approval Management**
   - Grant approvals to test contracts
   - Check current approval amounts
   - Practice revoking approvals for security

3. **Multi-Chain Tokens**
   - Switch chains and check token balances
   - Compare same tokens on different networks
   - Understand gas requirements per chain

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You now have comprehensive knowledge of ERC-20 token operations! 🪙