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Create a token on Solana using the SPL standard, low fees, and high speed—ideal for developers seeking efficiency and scalability in token deployment.

Aug 07, 2025 at 07:35 am

Understanding the Basics of Solana Token Creation

Creating a token on the Solana blockchain has become increasingly popular due to its high throughput, low transaction fees, and developer-friendly environment. Unlike Ethereum, where gas fees can be prohibitive, Solana enables developers to deploy tokens with minimal cost and maximum efficiency. The process revolves around the SPL Token standard, which is analogous to ERC-20 on Ethereum. This standard defines how tokens are created, transferred, and managed within the Solana ecosystem. Before diving into deployment, it's essential to understand that every token on Solana is associated with a mint account, which controls the total supply and properties like decimals and whether the token is fungible.

To get started, developers must install the Solana Command Line Interface (CLI). This tool allows interaction with the Solana network, including deploying programs and managing wallets. Installation is done via package managers like sh on Unix-based systems:

• Download and run the installation script: sh -c "$(curl -sSfL https://release.solana.com/stable/install)"
• Verify the installation with solana --version
• Configure the CLI to connect to the desired network: solana config set --url https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com

Setting Up a Solana Wallet and Funding It

Every operation on Solana requires a wallet to sign transactions and pay for fees. The CLI automatically generates a keypair if none exists. To create a new wallet:

• Run solana-keygen new --outfile ~/.config/solana/id.json
• This generates a 12-word recovery phrase and stores the private key in the specified file
• Check the wallet address with solana address
  

  Since deploying a token requires SOL for transaction fees and account storage, the wallet must be funded. On mainnet, purchase SOL via exchanges and withdraw to your wallet address. For testing, use the devnet and airdrop SOL:

  • Switch to devnet: solana config set --url https://api.devnet.solana.com
  • Request SOL: solana airdrop 2
  • Confirm balance: solana balance

  Ensure the wallet has enough SOL to cover the cost of creating the mint account and associated token accounts. The mint account requires rent exemption, which is approximately 0.00203928 SOL.

  Installing and Using the SPL Token CLI Tool

  
  The spl-token-cli is a powerful utility for creating and managing SPL tokens without writing custom code. Install it using Cargo, Rust’s package manager:
• Ensure Rust is installed: curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
• Install the SPL Token CLI: cargo install spl-token-cli
  

  Once installed, creating a token is straightforward:

  • Execute: spl-token create-token
  • The command returns a token mint address, a unique identifier for your token
  • By default, the token is fungible and has 9 decimals, but these can be customized using flags like --decimals 6

  After creation, a token account must be initialized to hold balances. This is done with:

  • spl-token create-account [TOKEN_MINT_ADDRESS]
  • This generates a public key for the account where tokens will be stored

  Minting and Distributing Your Custom Token

  
  With the token mint and account in place, the next step is to mint tokens into circulation. The creator controls the mint authority unless it's explicitly revoked. To issue tokens:
• Use: spl-token mint [TOKEN_MINT_ADDRESS] [AMOUNT] [RECIPIENT_TOKEN_ACCOUNT]
• If no recipient is specified, tokens are sent to the default account
  

  For example, to mint 1000 tokens to your own account:

  • spl-token mint EPjFWdd5AufqSSqeM2qN1xzybapC8G4wEGGkZwyDcZ4z 1000

  Distribution to other users involves their token account addresses, not wallet addresses. Each user must first create a token account for your mint:

  • They run: spl-token create-account [YOUR_TOKEN_MINT_ADDRESS]
  • You then transfer tokens using: spl-token transfer [TOKEN_MINT_ADDRESS] 100 USER_TOKEN_ACCOUNT_ADDRESS --fund-recipient

  The --fund-recipient flag automatically covers the rent cost for creating their token account if they don’t have one.

  Revoking Mint Authority and Securing the Token

  
  By default, the token creator retains mint authority, meaning more tokens can be created at any time. For trustless and decentralized tokens, this authority should be permanently revoked:
• Run: spl-token authorize [TOKEN_MINT_ADDRESS] mint --disable
• This burns the minting key, making the total supply immutable
  

  Revocation enhances credibility, especially for community-driven projects. Once disabled, no additional tokens can ever be minted. It's crucial to revoke authority only after finalizing the total supply. Additionally, ensure the wallet used for creation is secure. Use hardware wallets or cold storage for long-term management. Never expose the private key or recovery phrase.

  Verifying Token Deployment on Explorers

  
  After deployment, verify the token on blockchain explorers like Solana Explorer or Solscan. Navigate to the explorer and paste the token mint address into the search bar. The page will display:
• Total supply
• Number of holders
• Decimals
• Mint authority status
  

  If mint authority is listed as "null," revocation was successful. Check transaction history to confirm mint and transfer operations. For public trust, share the mint address and encourage users to verify it independently. Projects often publish the mint address on websites and social media to prevent scam clones.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  
  Can I create a non-fungible token (NFT) using the SPL Token CLI?
  Yes, NFTs on Solana are SPL tokens with a supply of 1 and 0 decimals. Use the --decimals 0 and --enable-mint-close-authority flags during creation. After minting one token, revoke mint authority to ensure uniqueness.
  

  What happens if I lose my wallet keypair?
  
  Losing the keypair means losing control over the token, especially if mint authority is still active. There is no recovery mechanism on Solana. Always back up the id.json file and recovery phrase securely.

  Is it possible to change the number of decimals after token creation?
  
  No, the number of decimals is immutable once the mint account is created. It must be defined at creation time using the --decimals flag. Choose this value carefully.

  How do I check how many tokens are in a specific account?
  
  Use the command: spl-token balance [TOKEN_MINT_ADDRESS] --owner [WALLET_ADDRESS]. This queries the associated token account and returns the current balance.