A ticker is not an identity: verify the token contract or mint
Names and symbols can be copied. The network and address identify the actual asset.
Key takeaways
- Identify a token by network plus full address
- Compare the address in at least two independent places
- On Solana, inspect the program and active authorities
- Never treat a logo or ticker as proof
Token identity has two parts[1]
A ticker is a display label and does not need to be unique. The same symbol can belong to unrelated tokens. Unambiguous identification requires the network name and complete contract or mint address.
Follow a verification path[1]
Start from a channel the project identifies as official. Compare the copied address with the network explorer and the relevant DEX pair. A one-character difference points to another asset.
- Establish the correct network
- Copy the entire address
- Compare it with an explorer
- Check the base token address in the DEX pair
- Record the source and verification time
Two Solana tokens using CAT can have unrelated mints, liquidity and authorities. A search result for CAT alone cannot identify the intended asset.
On Solana, inspect program and authorities[1][2]
A mint account stores supply, decimals and optional authorities. A token may use the original Token Program or Token-2022 with additional extensions.
- Mint authority
- Freeze authority
- Token program
- Token-2022 extensions
- Supply and decimals
Sources
Primary material used to verify the information. A number beside a section points to the related source. A link is not an endorsement of the asset discussed.