How to Get an ERC-20 Token Address

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ERC-20 tokens are a cornerstone of the Ethereum blockchain, powering everything from decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to Web3 gaming and digital collectibles. To interact with these tokens—whether sending, receiving, or querying data—you need one critical piece of information: the ERC-20 token address. This unique identifier allows wallets, smart contracts, and applications to locate and communicate with the token’s underlying smart contract.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn what an ERC-20 token address is, why it matters, and how to retrieve it using both user-friendly tools and developer-focused APIs. Whether you're a casual crypto user or a Web3 developer, this article will equip you with practical methods to find any ERC-20 token address quickly and securely.

What Is an ERC-20 Token Address?

The ERC-20 standard—short for Ethereum Request for Comment 20—defines a common set of rules for creating fungible tokens on the Ethereum network. This uniformity ensures that all ERC-20 tokens behave consistently across wallets, exchanges, and dapps (decentralized applications). Key functions include transferring tokens, checking balances, and querying total supply.

An ERC-20 token address is the unique smart contract address where the token resides on the blockchain. It looks like a standard Ethereum wallet address (e.g., 0x...) but represents the code that governs the token’s behavior rather than a user-controlled wallet. For example, the USDC token lives at 0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48.

🔍 Think of it this way: just as your bank account number identifies your funds, the ERC-20 token address identifies the smart contract controlling a specific token.

Without this address, wallets can't display your balance, dapps can't initiate transfers, and developers can’t integrate the token into their platforms.

How to Find an ERC-20 Token Address: Two Easy Methods

There are two primary ways to retrieve an ERC-20 token address:

  1. Using a token explorer (for non-developers)
  2. Using a block explorer (universal but chain-specific)

Let’s explore both.

Use a Token Explorer: Moralis Money

Moralis Money is a powerful, user-friendly token explorer that supports multiple blockchains including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and more. Here's how to use it:

👉 Discover real-time token data with advanced Web3 tools

Step-by-Step:

  1. Go to Moralis Money.
  2. Enter the token name (e.g., "USDC") in the search bar.
  3. Click on the correct result.
  4. Copy the address listed under “Coin Address”.

✅ Advantage: Cross-chain support—search for tokens across multiple networks in one place.

This method is ideal for users who want fast, accurate results without technical overhead.

Use a Block Explorer: Etherscan

Block explorers like Etherscan provide detailed on-chain data and are trusted by developers and auditors alike.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Visit Etherscan.io.
  2. Type the token name (e.g., "DAI") into the search bar.
  3. Select the official token from the results.
  4. Under “Token Info”, locate and copy the “Contract Address”.

⚠️ Limitation: Most block explorers are network-specific. For example:

You’ll need to use different tools depending on the chain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I send ETH to an ERC-20 token address?
A: Yes—but only if the contract supports it. Some tokens (like WETH) accept ETH deposits for wrapping. Sending ETH to most token contracts without this function may result in permanent loss.

Q: Are all ERC-20 addresses safe to use?
A: Not necessarily. Always verify the address through official sources or trusted explorers to avoid scams.

Q: How do I know if a token is truly ERC-20 compliant?
A: Check its contract on Etherscan for required functions like transfer(), balanceOf(), and totalSupply().

Q: Is there a difference between a wallet address and a token address?
A: Yes. A wallet address belongs to a user or entity. A token address belongs to a smart contract that manages the token’s logic and supply.

Q: Can one wallet hold multiple ERC-20 tokens?
A: Absolutely. Wallets like MetaMask automatically detect and display all ERC-20 tokens held at your address when you add them.

How Developers Can Retrieve ERC-20 Addresses Using APIs

For Web3 developers building dapps, automation is key. Manually copying addresses isn’t scalable. That’s where Moralis APIs come in—offering programmatic access to token data across chains.

Here are three essential endpoints:

1. getWalletTokenBalances()

Fetch all ERC-20 tokens owned by a wallet address.

const response = await Moralis.EvmApi.token.getWalletTokenBalances({
  chain: "0x1",
  address: "0x1f9090aaE28b8a3dCeaDf281B0F12828e676c326"
});

Returns an array of tokens with fields including:

Perfect for portfolio trackers or wallet integrations.

2. getTopERC20TokensByMarketCap()

Get top tokens by market capitalization.

const response = await Moralis.EvmApi.marketData.getTopERC20TokensByMarketCap();

Each item includes:

Useful for dashboards or trending lists.

3. getTopERC20TokensByPriceMovers()

Identify top gainers and losers over 24 hours.

const response = await Moralis.EvmApi.marketData.getTopERC20TokensByPriceMovers();

Response includes separate arrays for gainers and losers, each with:

Ideal for alert systems or trading bots.

👉 Access high-performance blockchain APIs for your next project

Full Tutorial: Get All ERC-20 Token Addresses in a Wallet

Want to build a tool that scans any wallet for its token holdings? Follow this step-by-step guide using Moralis.

Prerequisites

Step 1: Get a Moralis API Key

  1. Sign up at Moralis.
  2. Navigate to Settings > Secrets.
  3. Copy your API Key.

Step 2: Install SDK & Write Script

In your project folder:

npm install moralis @moralisweb3/common-evm-utils

Create index.js:

const Moralis = require("moralis").default;
const { EvmChain } = require("@moralisweb3/common-evm-utils");

const runApp = async () => {
  await Moralis.start({
    apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY",
  });

  const address = "0xbc4ca0eda7647a8ab7c2061c2e118a18a936f13d";
  const chain = EvmChain.ETHEREUM;

  const response = await Moralis.EvmApi.token.getWalletTokenBalances({
    address,
    chain,
  });

  console.log(response.toJSON());
};

runApp();

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual key.

Step 3: Run the Script

node index.js

Output:

[
  {
    "token_address": "0xc02aaa39b223fe8d0a0e5c4f27ead9083c756cc2",
    "name": "Wrapped Ether",
    "symbol": "WETH",
    "balance": "85000000000000000"
  },
  {
    "token_address": "0xefd6c64533602ac55ab64442307f6fe2c9307305",
    "name": "APE",
    "symbol": "APE",
    "balance": "101715701444169451516503179"
  }
]

Now you can extract every token_address programmatically!

Core Keywords for SEO

To align with search intent and boost visibility, here are the core keywords naturally integrated throughout this article:

These terms reflect what users actually search for when seeking guidance on blockchain interactions.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to retrieve an ERC-20 token address is fundamental whether you're managing assets or developing on Web3. From simple tools like Moralis Money and Etherscan to powerful developer APIs, there are solutions for every skill level.

For developers, leveraging platforms like Moralis streamlines data access and accelerates development. For users, verifying token addresses prevents costly mistakes.

As the ecosystem evolves, mastering these basics ensures you stay secure, informed, and ahead of the curve.

👉 Start exploring blockchain data with powerful tools today