Semi-Fungible Token Development in 2026: Standards, Steps and Use Cases

Semi-fungible token development is the work of building tokens that start out the same and swappable, then turn unique when an event takes place, such as a ticket scan or a used voucher. Think of a $25 gift voucher. Before you spend it, any two vouchers with the same expiry date are worth the same. After you redeem it, yours becomes a one-off record that no one else holds. Semi-fungible tokens (SFTs) put that behaviour on a blockchain.

This guide explains how SFTs work, which standards to build on in 2026, and what the build looks like from idea to launch. It is written for founders, product teams and game studios who want to issue tickets, in-game items, vouchers or tokenized assets that change state over time.

In this guide:

• What semi-fungible token development is, and how SFTs differ from ERC-20 tokens and NFTs
• The two Final Ethereum standards for SFTs, ERC-1155 and ERC-3525, and when to use each
• Our own gas test: issuing 100 tickets as one ERC-1155 ID cost about 50 times less gas than 100 ERC-721 NFTs
• SFT standards on Tron, Solana, Stacks, MultiversX and other chains
• A five-step build process, security checks and real use cases

What is Semi-Fungible Token Development?

Semi-fungible token development is the process of creating blockchain tokens that act as both swappable and unique assets at each stage of their life. A semi-fungible token (SFT) starts as a fungible token: every unit is the same and can be swapped. Later it can become a unique NFT with its own data and owner history. That is why SFTs suit gaming, event tickets, digital vouchers, memberships and in-game assets, where value and uniqueness change over time.

Here is how the three token types compare:

	Fungible token	Semi-fungible token	Non-fungible token (NFT)
Are units swappable?	Always	At first, or within the same class	Never
Typical standard	ERC-20	ERC-1155 or ERC-3525	ERC-721
Example	A stablecoin	A concert ticket before and after the show	A one-of-one artwork
Supply per item	Large	Many units per class	One

In short, an SFT gives you the bulk handling of a currency and the unique record of an NFT in one design. The rest of this guide shows how to build one.

Semi-Fungible Token Standards in 2026: ERC-1155 vs ERC-3525

Before you write any code, pick the standard. On Ethereum and EVM chains there are two choices. As of October 2026, both are Final on the Ethereum Improvement Proposals site. A Final standard will not change, so wallets, marketplaces and auditors can rely on it.

ERC-1155: The Multi Token Standard

ERC-1155 was proposed in June 2018 by a team that included developers from Enjin. One ERC-1155 contract can hold many token types. Each type has an ID and a supply. If an ID has a supply of 5,000, those 5,000 units are fungible with each other. If an ID has a supply of 1, it acts like an NFT. The standard’s own summary names semi-fungible tokens as one of the setups it supports.

So how does an ERC-1155 token “turn” unique? The usual method is to burn one unit of the shared ID and mint a new ID with a supply of 1, or to update that unit’s metadata through your own contract rules. The standard also adds batch functions, `safeBatchTransferFrom` and `balanceOfBatch`, so you can move or check many token types in one transaction.

If your project only needs ERC-1155 (for example, a game item catalogue), our guide to ERC-1155 token development covers that build in depth.

ERC-3525: The Semi-Fungible Token Standard

ERC-3525 was created in December 2020 and is now Final. It was proposed by the team behind Solv Protocol, which also keeps an open-source reference version. ERC-3525 uses a three-part model:

• ID: Every token has its own ID, just like an ERC-721 NFT. In fact, every ERC-3525 token must also be a valid ERC-721 token, so NFT wallets can hold it.
• SLOT: Tokens in the same slot are fungible with each other. A slot might be “Bond A, 5% coupon, due 2027”.
• VALUE: Each token holds an amount, like an ERC-20 balance. You can move part of that value to another token in the same slot.

This makes ERC-3525 a strong fit for financial positions. A bond, a vesting schedule or a staking receipt can be split, merged and priced, while each holder still has a unique token. The standard also keeps value approvals separate from normal NFT approvals, which gives you finer control over who can move what.

Which Standard Should You Choose?

Question	ERC-1155	ERC-3525
Status (eips.ethereum.org, Oct 2026)	Final	Final
What makes units fungible?	Same token ID	Same slot
Does each holding have its own ID?	No, wallets hold a balance of an ID	Yes, every token is unique
Can you split or merge an amount?	Only by moving units	Yes, value moves between tokens
Wallet and marketplace support	Very wide	Narrower; shows as ERC-721 in most wallets
Best for	Tickets, game items, vouchers, editions	Bonds, vesting, staking receipts, tokenized funds

As a rule of thumb, choose ERC-1155 when you have many identical items that may become unique later. Choose ERC-3525 when one position holds an amount that you need to split, merge or price. Our wider guide to NFT standards compares these with ERC-721 and the main non-Ethereum options.

Why SFTs Cost Less to Issue: Our Gas Test

Most guides say ERC-1155 “saves gas”, but few show by how much. So we measured it. On 16 October 2026 we compiled standard OpenZeppelin ERC-1155 and ERC-721 contracts and asked an Ethereum mainnet node how much gas each action needs.

The result is clear. Issuing 100 identical tickets as one ERC-1155 ID took 50,859 gas. Issuing the same 100 tickets as separate ERC-721 NFTs took 2,566,523 gas, about 50 times more. Moreover, minting five ticket tiers in one ERC-1155 batch used 41% less gas than five separate mints.

At the low Ethereum gas price on test day (0.0688 gwei), even the ERC-721 route cost under half a dollar. However, gas prices rise when the network is busy, and the gap grows with them. For a ticketing app that issues tens of thousands of tickets, this choice shapes your running costs.

Our Two Ways to Build Your SFT

Creating a semi-fungible token takes careful planning and precise work. Teams usually take one of two routes with us.

Build Your SFT From Scratch

With our semi-fungible token development services, you can build your token from the ground up. You define the token functions you need, such as minting, burning and state changes. We write the smart contracts around your use case and market, and design the metadata structure and how it evolves over time.

Hire SFT Developers

You can also hire specialised crypto token developers to focus on your semi-fungible token, built on ERC-1155 or ERC-3525. These SFT developers handle smart contract work, testing and wallet setup. They help shape the token concept and guide you through the build. After launch, they provide ongoing technical support and upgrades.

Key Features of Our Semi-Fungible Token Development

• Multi-Asset Support: Run all three token types inside one smart contract.
• Batch Minting and Transfer: Mint and transfer many tokens in a single transaction, which cuts gas, as our test above shows.
• State Changes: Built-in rules turn a fungible unit into a unique token when a ticket is scanned, a voucher is redeemed or a game item levels up.
• Built to Scale: Built to handle large token volumes and busy user traffic without slowing down.
• Works With Common Tools: The tokens work with standard wallets, APIs and NFT marketplaces that support ERC-1155 or ERC-721.
• Cross-Chain Options: Deploy on several EVM chains, or link chains with a bridge when your users are on more than one network.
• Easy to Plug In: The tokens plug into your dApp, crypto wallets and backend systems.
• Room to Grow: The design leaves room for upgrades as your use cases grow.
• Fraud Checks: Access rules block double minting and token actions no one approved.

Use Cases of Semi-Fungible Tokens

Gaming Industry

Gaming is the biggest use case for SFTs. Players buy coins, rewards and items such as weapons, armour and costumes. A game can issue 10,000 identical swords under one token ID, then turn a single sword into a unique item once a player upgrades it. One contract manages every asset class, which keeps fees low for players and the studio.

Trading and Secondary Sales

Like other crypto tokens, SFTs can be bought and sold. While they are fungible, units of the same class trade at one price. In practice, ERC-1155 SFTs trade on NFT marketplaces that support the standard, rather than on regular crypto exchanges. As a result, you should plan your secondary market, or build your own, early in the project.

Music Industry

Famous musicians and singers hold concerts and events, and digital tickets are issued to attend them. Before the event, the semi-fungible tickets are identical and can be resold. Once the event is over, each one becomes a unique NFT that proves the fan was there.

Vouchers and Coupons

Like event tickets, SFT vouchers can be swapped before use. Once the voucher or coupon is redeemed or expires, it becomes a non-fungible record of that purchase.

DeFi and Financial Products

In DeFi, ERC-3525 is the natural fit. Solv Protocol used it for its token “vouchers”, which wrap locked tokens that holders can split, merge and trade. Bonds, vesting schedules and staking receipts follow the same pattern. Each holder has a unique token, while the amount inside can be divided.

Event Tickets and Access Passes

SFTs are widely used for event tickets. All tickets in a tier are fungible and easy to transfer before the event. At the gate, each ticket is checked in and turned into a unique proof of attendance. To build a full ticket platform, read our guide to NFT ticketing marketplace development.

Tokenized Real-World Assets and Trade Records

Tokenized real-world assets often share the same value when issued but gain unique details over time. Examples include product batches, test reports and limited physical goods. In May 2024, crypto press reported that the Bank of Ghana and the Monetary Authority of Singapore completed a proof of concept called DESFT. It used ERC-3525 tokens to carry checked business licences, certificates and trade records. Payments ran in the XSGD stablecoin and Ghana’s e-cedi pilot. Read more in our guide to real-world asset tokenization.

Subscriptions and Memberships

SFTs work well for plans and clubs that give every member the same perks. The tokens stay interchangeable during the active period. Over time, each one can record loyalty level, past renewals and special access rights.

Benefits of SFTs

Batch Balance and Batch Transfer: SFTs support batch balance checks and batch transfers in one transaction. This cuts the number of on-chain steps.

Low Transaction Costs: Because many token types live in the same smart contract, bulk actions cost far less gas. In our test, one ERC-1155 mint of 100 tickets used about 2% of the gas of 100 ERC-721 mints.

One Contract for All: One smart contract handles both swappable and unique tokens. This keeps assets organised and removes the need for many contracts.

Fast Processing: SFTs work in batches, so busy apps can mint and move tokens quickly.

Multi-Chain Reach: SFTs can be deployed on many networks, so your assets are not locked to one blockchain.

How to Build a Semi-Fungible Token: 5 Steps

STEP 1: Define your SFT and its Use Case

Concept: Clearly state the asset your SFT represents, what it does and how it fits into your project.

• Tokenomics: Set the total supply per class, the distribution and any burn rules.
• State rules: Decide exactly when a unit stops being swappable, for example at check-in, when used or after an upgrade.
• Utility: Define the specific jobs your SFT does inside your system or app.

STEP 2: Choose the Standard and the Blockchain

Pick ERC-1155 for many identical items, or ERC-3525 for positions with a splittable value. Then weigh transaction fees, security, wallet support and where your users already are.

Common picks are Ethereum and EVM chains such as BNB Smart Chain, Polygon and Avalanche C-Chain. If you need a non-EVM chain, see the networks list below.

STEP 3: Design and Develop the Smart Contract

Code skill is crucial. Either hire a trusted blockchain developer or start from audited code, such as OpenZeppelin’s ERC-1155 contracts or Solv’s ERC-3525 reference code.

Build the core features: minting, burning, transfers, state changes and tracking of each token’s attributes. Our NFT smart contract development team handles this step for many clients.

Prioritise security: Run thorough audits and tests to close smart contract weak points. The security section below lists the checks that matter most for SFTs.

STEP 4: Design and Integrate the User Interface (UI)

Build a user-friendly platform, whether it’s a website, a mobile app or a feature inside an existing app.

Let users view holdings, mint or redeem SFTs, trade them on secondary markets and use their features.

STEP 5: Testing and Deployment

Test every smart contract function, UI action and edge case before the public launch. Then deploy your SFT on the chosen blockchain and open it to users.

Security Checks for SFT Contracts

SFTs change state, and every state change is a place where bugs hide. Therefore, these checks deserve extra time in your audit:

• Safe transfer callbacks: ERC-1155 calls the receiving contract on every safe transfer. Guard against reentrancy, where a malicious receiver calls back into your contract before the first call ends.
• Who can change state: Only approved roles should be able to mint, burn or turn a fungible unit into a unique token. Use clear role-based access control.
• Metadata rules: ERC-1155 metadata often uses a shared link with an `{id}` placeholder. Decide which data is fixed forever and which can be updated, and lock the rest.
• Value approvals in ERC-3525: Giving someone the right to move part of a token’s value is a separate step from approving the whole NFT. Test both paths so a value approval cannot move more than intended.
• Slot logic in ERC-3525: Value must never move between different slots. A single bad check here can mix a 2027 bond with a 2030 bond.

Blockchain Networks Supported by Semi-Fungible Token Development

• Ethereum: The most widely used network for SFTs, with ERC-1155 and ERC-3525, strong security, mature tooling and broad wallet support.
• BNB Chain: BNB Smart Chain is EVM compatible, so it runs ERC-1155 and ERC-3525 contracts with lower fees and fast processing.
• Polygon: Polygon runs the same EVM standards with low gas fees and high throughput, which makes it popular for gaming and NFTs.
• Tron: Tron’s own docs list TRC-1155 as its multi-token standard. It can hold all three token types, and it sits next to TRC-20 and TRC-721.
• Solana: On Solana, the Metaplex token program has a type named FungibleAsset. Metaplex notes that it is often called an SFT. It is a token with traits, a supply above one and no decimals.
• Avalanche: The Avalanche C-Chain runs EVM code, so it takes ERC-1155 and ERC-3525 tokens and settles fast.
• Tezos: Tezos uses the FA2 (TZIP-12) multi-asset standard, which can hold fungible and non-fungible tokens in one contract.
• Stacks: SIP-013 is the ratified semi-fungible token standard for Stacks, the Bitcoin layer.
• MultiversX: MultiversX builds SFTs into the chain itself through its ESDT standard, so you can issue them without writing a smart contract.

Industries That Use SFTs

• Art and Collectibles: Artworks can start as matching editions and become one-off items.
• Real Estate: Property shares, access rights and documents can be issued as SFTs that gain unique details over time.
• Gaming: Game items start with the same value and later gain unique traits through gameplay.
• Metaverse and Virtual Worlds: Passes, wearables and land access can change based on what users do.
• Sports and Fitness: Event passes, fan rewards and achievement badges can be issued as SFTs.
• Entertainment and Media: Media platforms use SFTs for tickets, content access and limited releases.
• Finance: Bonds, vesting plans and fund shares fit the ERC-3525 slot and value model.

Why Choose Coinsclone for Semi-Fungible Token Development?

Coinsclone is a leading crypto token development company that has been building blockchain products since 2018. We have delivered 350+ platforms for 200+ clients across 20 industries. Our developers build semi-fungible tokens on ERC-1155, ERC-3525 and other chains’ standards with a modern tech stack. Above all, we focus on your needs and your users.

Semi-fungible tokens bring their own technical challenges, and our developers are always on hand to solve them. We build every token with strong security, and we offer these services at an affordable price. So, talk to our team and turn your SFT idea into a working product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a semi-fungible token?

A semi-fungible token is a blockchain token that is fungible at first but becomes non-fungible later. For example, many event tickets may be the same before the event, but after use, each ticket becomes a unique keepsake. This two-sided nature sets SFTs apart from plain fungible tokens (like ERC-20) and NFTs (ERC-721).

How does semi-fungible token development work?

Semi-fungible token development uses smart contracts, most often ERC-1155 or ERC-3525, to manage both the swappable and the unique state. With ERC-1155, you mint a batch of matching units under one ID. Later, you make one unique by burning a unit and minting a new ID, or by changing its data under set rules. With ERC-3525, each token has its own ID and a value that can move between tokens in the same slot.

What is the difference between fungible, non-fungible, and semi-fungible tokens?

• Fungible tokens can be swapped one for one (like coins).
• Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique and cannot be swapped.
• Semi-fungible tokens (SFTs) start as swappable tokens and later turn into unique NFTs.

This makes semi-fungible token creation ideal for assets that change value or purpose over time.

Which token standard is used for semi-fungible token creation?

The most common standard is ERC-1155. It lets fungible, non-fungible and semi-fungible tokens live in one smart contract, which cuts gas fees. ERC-3525 is the purpose-built SFT standard. It suits money products whose value you need to split. Both are Final on eips.ethereum.org. Other chains have their own options, such as TRC-1155 on Tron and SIP-013 on Stacks.

What are real-world use cases of semi-fungible tokens?

Common real-world use cases include:

• Event tickets that become collectibles after use
• In-game items that gain rarity through gameplay
• Digital vouchers and coupons with expiry states
• Membership passes that unlock new benefits over time
• Bonds, vesting plans and other financial positions on ERC-3525

These use cases rely on the flexible nature of semi-fungible tokens.

Is semi-fungible token development secure?

Yes, semi-fungible token development can be secure when smart contracts follow best practices such as access control, metadata rules and proper state changes. Since ERC-1155 and ERC-3525 are Final, well-tested standards, most security risks come from poor contract logic rather than the token type itself. A third-party audit before launch is strongly advised.

When should a project choose semi-fungible tokens instead of NFTs?

A project should choose semi-fungible token creation when assets need to be:

• Identical at launch
• Tradable in bulk at first
• Unique later on

If the asset changes over time, semi-fungible tokens give you more flexibility than traditional NFTs, and they cost less gas to issue in bulk.