Blockchain technology has revolutionized how we define and exchange value. At the heart of this transformation are digital assets, which represent ownership or utility on decentralized networks. These assets come in various forms, including fungible tokens like cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that signify unique digital items.
This article explores the concept of blockchain assets, focusing on how they are supported within CDP APIs, particularly across networks such as Base Mainnet, Base Sepolia, Ethereum, Polygon, and Arbitrum. Whether you're building decentralized applications (dApps), managing wallets, or integrating asset transfers, understanding how assets are identified—by symbol or contract address—is essential.
Core Blockchain Assets: Symbols vs. Contract Addresses
Digital assets on blockchain networks can be referenced in two primary ways: by symbol (e.g., ETH, USDC) or by contract address. The CDP API supports both methods, but with important distinctions.
Assets Supported by Symbol
The CDP API natively recognizes several key assets through their ticker symbols on the Base network (both Mainnet and Sepolia testnet). This simplifies integration for developers who want to interact with widely used tokens without manually inputting contract details.
Here are the major assets supported by symbol:
- ETH (Ether) – The native currency of EVM-compatible chains like Base and Ethereum. It’s used to pay gas fees and interact with smart contracts.
- USDC – A dollar-pegged stablecoin backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars, widely used for trading and payments.
- WETH (Wrapped ETH) – An ERC-20 version of ETH that enables compatibility with DeFi protocols requiring tokenized forms of Ether.
- DAI, RETH, BRETT, W, CBETH, AXL, IOTX, PRIME, AERO, RSR, MOG, TBTC, NPC, YFI – Additional ERC-20 tokens representing decentralized finance (DeFi) instruments, wrapped assets, governance tokens, and community-driven projects.
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All of these assets are supported on Base Mainnet, while only ETH and USDC are fully available on Base Sepolia for testing purposes. This allows developers to prototype with real-world assets in a sandbox environment before going live.
Beyond Base, CDP APIs also support:
- ETH & USDC on Ethereum Mainnet
- MATIC & USDC on Polygon Mainnet
- ARB & USDC on Arbitrum Mainnet
These cross-chain capabilities make the API a powerful tool for multi-network dApp development.
Assets Supported by Contract Address
For any ERC-20 token not listed by symbol, the CDP API enables support via contract address. This means developers can interact with virtually any token deployed on supported blockchains, provided they have the correct contract identifier.
For example:
- To transfer USDC on Base-Sepolia using its contract address, you’d specify the exact token contract deployed on that network.
- Similarly, executing a trade involving a lesser-known DeFi token requires referencing its unique contract address.
This flexibility ensures future-proofing for emerging tokens and niche ecosystems.
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Fetching Asset Balances
One of the most common operations in wallet and dApp development is checking a user's balance. The CDP API provides methods to fetch balances for both symbol-based and contract-address-based assets.
Fetch Balance by Symbol
When working with supported symbols like ETH or USDC, developers can directly query balances using standardized identifiers. For instance:
const ethBalance = await wallet.getBalance(Coinbase.assets.Eth);This returns the available amount in the wallet’s default denomination (usually ETH or Wei).
Fetch Balance by Contract Address
For custom tokens, the balance query must include the token’s contract address:
const customTokenBalance = await wallet.getBalance("0x...");This approach supports all ERC-20 tokens deployed on compatible networks.
Denominations of Ether (ETH): Understanding Wei, Gwei, and ETH
Ether supports up to 18 decimal places. This high precision is crucial for microtransactions and accurate gas calculations.
| Denomination | Value in Wei | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Wei | 1 | Smallest unit; used internally |
| Gwei | 1,000,000,000 | Commonly used for gas pricing |
| ETH | 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 | Standard unit for trading and transfers |
The SDK allows developers to work seamlessly across these units when sending transactions or calculating fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between fungible tokens and NFTs?
A: Fungible tokens (like ETH or USDC) are interchangeable—each unit holds equal value. NFTs (non-fungible tokens) represent unique digital assets, such as art or collectibles, where each token is distinct.
Q: Can I use CDP APIs to support new tokens not listed by symbol?
A: Yes. Any ERC-20 token can be integrated using its contract address, even if it isn't natively supported by symbol.
Q: Why is Base Sepolia limited to only ETH and USDC?
A: Base Sepolia is a testnet designed for development and experimentation. Limiting supported assets helps maintain stability while still allowing realistic simulations with major tokens.
Q: How do I find a token’s contract address?
A: You can look it up on blockchain explorers like Basescan or Etherscan by searching the token name or symbol.
Q: Is there a risk in using contract addresses manually?
A: Yes—entering an incorrect or malicious contract address can lead to loss of funds. Always verify addresses from trusted sources.
Q: What networks does the CDP API currently support?
A: Primary support includes Base (Mainnet & Sepolia), Ethereum Mainnet, Polygon Mainnet, and Arbitrum Mainnet—with potential expansion based on ecosystem growth.
Developer Tools and SDK Integration
The Coinbase SDK streamlines interaction with digital assets through intuitive class structures. In Node.js environments:
const ethAsset = Coinbase.assets.Eth;
const usdcAsset = Coinbase.assets.Usdc;
const wethAsset = Coinbase.assets.Weth;These predefined constants eliminate the need to hardcode values and reduce error risks during development.
For full technical specifications and method references, consult the official Asset class SDK documentation.
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By combining broad asset support, flexible identification methods, and precise denomination handling, CDP APIs empower developers to create robust, scalable blockchain applications. Whether you're launching a wallet service, DeFi platform, or NFT marketplace, mastering asset management is the first step toward innovation in Web3.
Keywords: blockchain assets, ERC-20 tokens, CDP APIs, Base network, ETH denominations, contract address, USDC support