How do you create a token on Solana?

Creating a token on Solana means setting up a mint account, the onchain record that defines the token, and then minting units into token accounts. Solana provides ready-made token programs, so no custom smart contract is needed.

What is an SPL token?

SPL tokens are tokens built on Solana's shared token programs. According to Solana's docs, every token has a mint account that stores four key fields:

• Supply. The total number of units that exist.
• Decimals. How finely each unit can be divided.
• Mint authority. The account allowed to create new units.
• Freeze authority. An optional account that can freeze token accounts so they cannot transfer or burn.

Balances live in separate token accounts. Each one holds one token for one owner, and wallets usually use an associated token account, whose address is derived from the owner and the mint. Creating one requires a small refundable deposit. For the wider picture, see how is a cryptocurrency created and what is Solana.

What is Token-2022?

Token-2022, also called the Token Extensions Program, includes everything the original Token Program does and adds optional extensions. Solana's docs list features such as transfer fees, built-in metadata, non-transferable tokens, pausable minting and transfers, interest-bearing balances, transfer hooks and a permanent delegate.

Most extensions cannot be added after a mint is set up, so they have to be planned in advance. Some extensions also cannot be combined, such as non-transferable tokens with transfer fees.

How do you create a token on Solana step by step?

Solana's spl-token command-line tool shows the basic flow, usually tested first on devnet, a test network with no real value:

1. Create the mint with the create-token command, choosing the decimals and, for Token-2022, the program flag and options such as metadata.
2. Add metadata such as a name, symbol and link, if the token uses Token-2022's embedded metadata.
3. Create a token account to hold the new units.
4. Mint supply into that account using the mint authority.

Developers can also do this in code with Solana's libraries. The docs advise confirming the network, program, signer and addresses before running commands, because on mainnet these actions use real funds. Launch platforms such as Pump.fun wrap similar steps in a simple interface.

What does the Solana token mint authority control?

The mint authority decides whether more units can ever be created. It can be handed to another account, or removed with the authorize command's disable option. Solana's docs say removal is permanent when nothing else can restore it, which fixes the supply.

Other authorities matter too. A freeze authority can lock holders' accounts. A permanent delegate, under Token-2022, can move or burn tokens from any account for that mint, and holders cannot revoke it. These tools have legitimate uses, such as regulated assets, but they can also be misused. Scam tokens have relied on retained authorities to inflate supply or block selling, which is why many buyers check them in a block explorer first. See what is a rug pull for how those schemes work.