ERC-1155: The Multi-Token Standard Powering NFTs and Crypto Assets

When you buy a digital collectible, trade an in-game item, or hold a token that represents both a unique asset and multiple copies, you’re likely interacting with ERC-1155, a token standard on the Ethereum blockchain that lets one contract handle multiple types of tokens. Also known as the multi-token standard, it combines the features of ERC-20 (fungible tokens) and ERC-721 (non-fungible tokens) into a single, efficient system. This isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s what makes modern NFT games, virtual economies, and digital marketplaces possible without clogging up the network.

Before ERC-1155, every NFT needed its own contract. That meant high gas fees, slow transactions, and messy code. With ERC-1155, one contract can manage thousands of unique items and hundreds of identical tokens at once. Think of it like a digital warehouse that holds both rare paintings and bulk packs of trading cards—all under one roof. Projects like Enjin, Enjin Coin, a platform built around ERC-1155 for gaming and digital assets, and The Sandbox, a metaverse game where players own and trade virtual land and items rely on it to keep things fast and cheap. Even big names like Decentraland, a virtual world where users buy plots of land as NFTs use it behind the scenes to handle everything from clothing to terrain.

Why does this matter to you? If you’re into NFTs, gaming, or DeFi, ERC-1155 is the quiet engine making it all work. It reduces costs, simplifies transfers, and lets developers build complex economies without needing dozens of smart contracts. You don’t need to code it yourself—but knowing it exists helps you spot real projects from gimmicks. Look for platforms that support batch transfers, mixed token types, or low-cost minting—they’re likely using ERC-1155.

Below, you’ll find real-world examples of how this standard powers everything from digital collectibles to tokenized assets. No theory. No fluff. Just what’s actually being built and used today.