This is what Ethereum was built for: programs stored on the chain that run exactly as written. Each app is its own code with its own flaws, and code that is wrong stays wrong.
Source: Ethereum.org: smart contracts · checked 2 October 2026
BNB Smart Chain runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum, and BNB pays for running them. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: BNB Chain docs: BNB Smart Chain · checked 2 October 2026
Cardano runs programs stored on its chain, written in its own contract language, Plutus. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Cardano docs: Plutus · checked 2 October 2026
TRON runs programs on its own virtual machine, and they can be written in the language Ethereum uses. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: TRON docs: TVM · checked 2 October 2026
Avalanche runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum on a part of its network called the C-Chain, and AVAX pays for running them. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Avalanche docs: the primary network · checked 2 October 2026
Stellar runs programs through its contract platform, Soroban. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Stellar docs: smart contracts · checked 2 October 2026
Hyperliquid runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum on a part of its chain called the HyperEVM, and HYPE pays for running them. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Hyperliquid docs: HyperEVM · checked 2 October 2026
Hedera runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum, written with the same tools. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Hedera docs: smart contracts · checked 2 October 2026
Ethereum Classic runs programs stored on its chain, and calls itself the continuation of the original Ethereum of 2015. Its stated rule is that a deployed program is never stopped or interfered with.
Source: Ethereum Classic: why Classic · checked 2 October 2026
GRAM is the main coin of the TON network. It pays for running the programs stored on the chain, for storing their data and for network traffic. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: TON docs: start here · checked 2 October 2026
Cronos runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum, and CRO pays the fee on every transaction there. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Cronos docs: general FAQ · checked 2 October 2026
OKB pays the fees on X Layer, an Ethereum layer-2 network built by OKX, so it is what running a program there costs. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: X Layer docs: about X Layer · checked 2 October 2026
MNT is the native token of Mantle Network, a network built to scale Ethereum that runs the same kind of programs. Fees there are paid in MNT. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Sources: Mantle docs: fee mechanism, Mantle docs: overview · checked 2 October 2026
The Internet Computer runs programs it calls canisters. Each pays for its own computing with cycles, which are made by destroying ICP, so the people using an app pay no fee. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Internet Computer docs: cycles · checked 2 October 2026
Algorand runs programs stored on its chain, written in Python or TypeScript and run by its own virtual machine. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Algorand docs: smart contracts · checked 2 October 2026
POL replaced MATIC as the native token of Polygon. It pays the fees on Polygon Chain, so it is what running a program there costs. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Polygon docs: POL · checked 2 October 2026
WBT pays the fees on Whitechain, a network built on top of Ethereum that runs the same kind of programs. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Whitechain docs: introduction · checked 2 October 2026
Tezos runs programs stored on its chain, which cannot be changed once deployed, and the fees are paid in tez. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Sources: Tezos docs: smart contracts, Tezos docs: tokens · checked 2 October 2026
Injective runs programs stored on its chain, but not just anyone can add one: its docs say the community of stakers must vote before a program is put on the main network. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Injective docs: INJ coin · checked 2 October 2026
STX is the fuel for running programs and processing transactions on Stacks, a layer built on Bitcoin. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Stacks: what the STX token is · checked 2 October 2026
Since September 2025 the fees on Starknet can be paid only in STRK, so it is what running a program there costs. The docs say Starknet is currently still centralized and is handing block production over to validators step by step. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Sources: Starknet docs: STRK, Starknet docs: staking · checked 2 October 2026
The XDC Network runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum, written in the same languages, and XDC is its native token. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: XDC docs: architecture · checked 2 October 2026
M is the native token of the MemeCore blockchain and pays the fee on every transaction there. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: MemeCore docs: the M token · checked 2 October 2026
MON pays the transaction fees on the Monad network, so it is what running a program there costs. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Monad: MON tokenomics · checked 2 October 2026
BSV's site says its restored Bitcoin Script language lets programs run on the chain itself, without extra layers. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: BSV Blockchain · checked 2 October 2026
Plasma runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum, and XPL is its native token. Fees go to validators, and most transactions cost under a cent. Plasma plans to let apps take other tokens for fees. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Sources: Plasma docs: network fees, Plasma: mainnet beta and XPL · checked 2 October 2026
BTT pays the gas fee on BitTorrent Chain, where it plays the part ether plays on Ethereum, and is used to interact with the programs there. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: BitTorrent Chain: BTT · checked 2 October 2026
IOTA pays the gas fees for running transactions and storing data on the IOTA network. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: IOTA docs: the IOTA token · checked 2 October 2026
AR pays for storing data permanently on Arweave. An uploader pays a fee and a one-off contribution to an endowment, from which miners are paid over time for keeping the data. Its site says web apps can be hosted on the network this way.
Sources: Arweave docs: protocol overview, Arweave · checked 2 October 2026
KAIA is the native asset of the Kaia network and pays its transaction fees. Kaia's white paper says apps built for Ethereum run on it without changes. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Sources: Kaia: the KAIA token, Kaia white paper · checked 2 October 2026
S is the native token of Sonic and pays its transaction fees. Sonic's docs describe the chain as compatible with Ethereum's programs. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Sources: Sonic docs: S token, Sonic docs: overview · checked 2 October 2026
EGLD pays the fee for every transfer and every use of an application on MultiversX. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: MultiversX docs: EGLD · checked 2 October 2026
CHZ is the native token of Chiliz Chain, which is compatible with Ethereum's programs: it is a fork of BNB Smart Chain. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Chiliz docs: about Chiliz Chain · checked 2 October 2026
APE is the native gas token of ApeChain, a network built on Arbitrum's technology for the ApeCoin ecosystem. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: ApeChain docs · checked 2 October 2026
Bitcoin's own scripting is limited on purpose: shared-signature wallets and time locks, not general applications. Apps that use bitcoin mostly run on other networks, on a wrapped copy.
Source: Bitcoin developer guide · checked 2 October 2026
The ledger has an exchange and tokens built in. It does not run general programs; its own documentation lists that as work in progress.
Source: XRP Ledger FAQ · checked 2 October 2026
VeChain runs programs stored on its chain, but VET does not pay for them. A second token, VTHO, pays for every transfer and for running a program. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: VeChain docs: VTHO · checked 2 October 2026
Celestia's job is to publish data for other chains, whose developers pay for that in TIA. A chain built on it may also choose TIA as the token for its own fees.
Source: Celestia docs: overview of TIA · checked 2 October 2026
Midnight runs programs with built-in privacy, but NIGHT does not pay for them directly. Holding NIGHT generates DUST, a resource that cannot be transferred, which pays the fees and regenerates over time. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Midnight: the NIGHT token · checked 2 October 2026
Gnosis Chain runs the same kind of programs as Ethereum, but GNO does not pay for them. Fees are paid in a second token, xDai, which is kept stable against the dollar. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Gnosis Chain docs: tokens · checked 2 October 2026
Neo runs programs stored on its chain, but NEO does not pay for them. A second token, GAS, pays for running and storing them. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Neo: NEO and GAS · checked 2 October 2026
Theta runs programs on its chain, but THETA does not pay for them. A second token, TFUEL, pays for deploying and using them. Each app is its own code with its own flaws.
Source: Theta docs: what Theta Network is · checked 2 October 2026
LINK does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum, used to pay the operators of Chainlink's data services.
Source: Chainlink docs: LINK token · checked 2 October 2026
UNI does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum that gives its holders a vote on how the Uniswap exchange protocol is run.
Source: Uniswap docs: the UNI token · checked 2 October 2026
ARB does not run applications, and it does not pay the fees on the Arbitrum network, which are paid in ether. It gives its holders a vote in the body that governs the network.
Source: Arbitrum Foundation docs: the ARB token · checked 2 October 2026
AAVE does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum that gives its holders a vote on how the Aave lending protocol is run.
Source: Aave docs: governance · checked 2 October 2026
SHIB does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum, and on Shibarium, the project's own network, fees are paid in a different token, BONE.
Sources: The Shib Daily: SHIB, BONE and LEASH, Shiba Inu docs · checked 2 October 2026
ONDO does not run applications. It is the governance token of the Ondo DAO and Flux Finance: holders vote on the protocol's settings and upgrades, and can hand their vote to another wallet.
Sources: Ondo Foundation docs: the ONDO token, Ondo Foundation docs: the Ondo DAO · checked 2 October 2026
ENA does not run applications. It is the governance token of Ethena: holders vote on what backs USDe, on how the protocol's revenue is used and on who sits on its risk committee.
Source: Ethena docs: ENA · checked 2 October 2026
SKY does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum that replaced MakerDAO's MKR as the governance token of Sky Protocol: holders vote on how the protocol is run, or hand their vote to a delegate.
Source: Sky: understanding the SKY token · checked 2 October 2026
RENDER does not run applications. It is a token on Solana that pays for computing jobs on the Render Network: the RENDER paid for a job is destroyed when the work is done, and new RENDER is issued on a set schedule to those who supply the graphics cards.
Source: Render Network: burn mint equilibrium · checked 2 October 2026
MORPHO does not run applications. It is the governance token of the Morpho protocol: the more MORPHO a holder has, the more their vote on changes to the protocol counts.
Source: Morpho docs: the MORPHO token · checked 2 October 2026
WLFI does not run applications. Its terms say its sole use is voting on the World Liberty Financial protocol and that it gives no right to the fees the protocol earns. The company screens every proposal before it goes to a vote.
Sources: World Liberty Financial docs: token terms, World Liberty Financial docs: governance · checked 2 October 2026
LDO does not run applications. It is the governance token of the Lido DAO, which manages Lido's staking protocols: LDO holders vote on its fees, on which node operators it uses and on upgrades.
Source: Lido docs: the Lido DAO · checked 2 October 2026
PYTH does not run applications. It is the governance token of the Pyth Network: each staked token carries one vote on proposals to the Pyth DAO.
Source: Pyth docs: PYTH token · checked 2 October 2026
ZRO does not run applications. Its holders vote in a recurring referendum on whether LayerZero charges a protocol fee on each message. Fees collected would be converted to ZRO and burned. The latest vote, in June 2026, left the fee off.
Source: LayerZero Foundation: fee switch · checked 2 October 2026
ETHFI does not run applications. Its docs describe it as the token through which holders take part in governing the ether.fi protocol.
Source: ether.fi docs: ETHFI allocations · checked 2 October 2026
RAY does not run applications. It is a token on Solana. A portion of Raydium's trading fees is used to buy it back, and the docs say RAY is not needed to swap or to use Raydium.
Source: Raydium docs: RAY · checked 2 October 2026
LEO does not run applications. Bitfinex calls it a utility token on its exchange: holding it brings discounts on deposit and withdrawal fees and other account benefits there.
Source: Bitfinex: zero fees Q&A · checked 2 October 2026
JUP does not run applications. It is the governance token of Jupiter, on Solana, and its docs say it gives no direct share of the protocol's fees. Half of Jupiter's on-chain revenue is used to buy JUP for a reserve.
Source: Jupiter docs: JUP token · checked 2 October 2026
JST does not run applications. It is the governance token of JUST and JustLend DAO, on TRON: holders lock it to vote on the protocol's settings.
Source: JustLend DAO docs: tokenomics · checked 2 October 2026
HTX does not run applications. Its own site calls it the governance token of HTX DAO, freely transferable and tradable.
Source: HTX DAO: staking · checked 2 October 2026
ENS does not run applications. It is the token of the ENS DAO, which governs the ENS naming protocol and its treasury: holders vote, or hand their vote to a delegate.
Source: ENS docs: the ENS DAO · checked 2 October 2026
COMP does not run applications. It is the token that governs the Compound protocol: holders, and the delegates they choose, propose and vote on changes to it.
Source: Compound docs: governance · checked 2 October 2026
JTO does not run applications. It is the governance token of the Jito Network: holders take part in the Jito DAO, which oversees protocol upgrades, parameter changes and the treasury.
Source: Jito docs: the JTO token · checked 2 October 2026
OP does not run applications. It was launched as a governance token: holders vote on protocol upgrades, token allocations, adjusting inflation and elections.
Source: Optimism docs: capital allocation · checked 2 October 2026
GLM does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum and Polygon that pays, person to person, for renting spare computing power on the Golem Network.
Source: Golem: the GLM token · checked 2 October 2026
BAT does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum that serves as the unit of exchange in the advertising system of the Brave browser: advertisers pay in it, and users can opt to receive it for viewing ads.
Sources: BAT white paper, Basic Attention Token · checked 2 October 2026
AXS does not run applications. It is a governance token for the Axie Infinity game. Its white paper says holders can claim rewards if they stake, play the game and take part in governance votes.
Source: Axie Infinity white paper: AXS · checked 2 October 2026
ATH does not run applications. It is the means of payment on Aethir: those who buy computing power pay the operators who supply it in ATH. Operators must also stake ATH, which can be taken from them if they miss their service terms.
Source: Aethir docs: ATH utility · checked 2 October 2026
SAND does not run applications. It is a token on Ethereum, also used on Polygon, that serves as the currency of The Sandbox game and is required to take part in its governance.
Source: The Sandbox docs: SAND · checked 2 October 2026
The other questions
- Which coins can be sold for dollars?
- Which coins can be held without a company?
- Which coins can send a payment?
- Which coins can earn a return by themselves?
- Which coins limit their own supply?
- Which coins hold a steady dollar value?
- Which coins can be redeemed for what backs them?
- Which coins can be used on other chains?
What a coin can do is not a reason to buy it or to sell it, and nothing here is advice. Each answer names where it comes from and the day we read it. A coin we have not written up is left out, not marked down. How these answers are written.