An SPL Token is a fungible token on Solana, defined by the Solana Program Library (SPL) Token Program. If you know Ethereum, it fills a similar role to ERC-20: a shared standard so wallets, DEXs, and explorers all understand balances, transfers, and supply the same way.
Core pieces on-chain
Mint
A mint is the on-chain account that represents your token type (like a "class" of asset). It stores settings such as decimals and who holds mint authority (the right to create new units of supply).
Token accounts
Users don't hold SPL tokens directly inside their wallet pubkey like native SOL. Each owner has token accounts — often an Associated Token Account (ATA) per mint — where the actual balance of that token is stored. Transfers move lamport-like units between those accounts under the program's rules.
Supply, decimals, and authorities
Initial supply and decimals are chosen at creation time; in typical setups they are immutable after launch. Mint authority can be revoked so no more tokens can ever be minted (fixed cap). Freeze authority, if present, can freeze specific token accounts; revoking it removes that power for a more decentralized token.
Metadata and branding
The base Token Program handles amounts and accounts. Human-facing name, symbol, description, and logo usually live in metadata (often Metaplex conventions) pointed to by a URI (JSON on Arweave, IPFS, or HTTPS). MintLab helps you wire that URI when you create a token.
Native SOL vs SPL
SOL is Solana's native currency for fees and rent. SPL tokens are separate assets built on
the token program — including wrapped SOL (WSOL) when SOL is represented as
an SPL for DeFi.
Official resources
- SPL Token documentation — program overview and concepts
- Solana documentation — official docs hub (tokens, programs, wallets)