Native Tokens Resources

Comprehensive collection of tools, libraries, platforms, and documentation for working with Cardano native tokens.

Quick Reference: Tool Selection

Tool Comparison Matrix

Tool	Control Level	Complexity	Best For	Language
cardano-cli	Full control	High	Automation, scripts, advanced	CLI
Lucid	High	Medium	Web dApps, wallet integration	JavaScript/TypeScript
Mesh SDK	Medium	Low	Rapid prototyping, beginners	JavaScript/TypeScript
PyCardano	High	Medium	Python projects, data analysis	Python
Blockfrost API	Read-only	Low	Data queries, transaction submission	Any (REST)
Koios API	Read-only	Low	Chain data, real-time queries	Any (REST)

Decision Tree

Quick Start Guides

cardano-cli (5 minutes)

# 1. Install cardano-node (includes CLI)
# See: https://docs.cardano.org/getting-started/installing-the-cardano-node

# 2. Generate policy keys
cardano-cli address key-gen \
  --verification-key-file policy.vkey \
  --signing-key-file policy.skey

# 3. Create simple policy
echo '{"type":"sig","keyHash":"'$(cardano-cli address key-hash --payment-verification-key-file policy.vkey)'"}' > policy.json

# 4. Get policy ID
cardano-cli transaction policyid --script-file policy.json

Documentation: Cardano Docs

Lucid SDK (5 minutes)

npm install lucid-cardano

import { Lucid, Blockfrost } from "lucid-cardano";

const lucid = await Lucid.new(
  new Blockfrost("https://cardano-preview.blockfrost.io/api/v0", "API_KEY"),
  "Preview"
);

// Connect wallet or use keys
await lucid.selectWalletFromSeed("seed phrase");

// Mint token
const tx = await lucid
  .newTx()
  .mintAssets({ [policyId + assetName]: 1000n }, policyScript)
  .complete();

Documentation: Lucid Docs | GitHub

Mesh SDK (5 minutes)

npm install @martifylabs/mesh

import { MeshWallet } from "@martifylabs/mesh";

const wallet = await MeshWallet.enable("eternl");

// Mint token
const tx = await wallet.mintToken({
  policyId: "policyId...",
  assetName: "MyToken",
  quantity: "1000"
});

Documentation: Mesh Docs | GitHub

PyCardano (5 minutes)

pip install pycardano

from pycardano import *

network = Network.TESTNET
context = BlockFrostChainContext("API_KEY", network=network)

# Mint token
builder = TransactionBuilder(context)
builder.mint = {policy_id + asset_name: 1000}
signed_tx = builder.build_and_sign([skey])
context.submit_tx(signed_tx.to_cbor())

Documentation: PyCardano Docs | GitHub

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Tools by Use Case

Minting Tokens

Tool	Complexity	Control	Best For
Cardano Token Builder	Low	Low	Non-developers, quick mints
cardano-cli	High	Full	Scripts, automation
Lucid SDK	Medium	High	dApps, web integration
Mesh SDK	Low	Medium	Rapid prototyping
PyCardano	Medium	High	Python projects

Building dApps

Tool	Wallet Integration	Transaction Building	Best For
Lucid	✅ CIP-30	✅ Full control	Production dApps
Mesh SDK	✅ CIP-30	✅ Simplified API	Quick prototypes
cardano-serialization-lib	Manual	✅ Low-level	Custom implementations

Querying Data

Tool	Type	Features	Best For
Blockfrost	REST API	UTXOs, transactions, metadata	General queries
Koios	REST API	Real-time, chain data	Live data needs
CardanoDBLite	Local DB	Custom queries, indexing	Advanced analysis

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Tool Integration Examples

Using Blockfrost with Lucid

import { Lucid, Blockfrost } from "lucid-cardano";

const lucid = await Lucid.new(
  new Blockfrost("https://cardano-preview.blockfrost.io/api/v0", "API_KEY"),
  "Preview"
);

Using Koios for Data Queries

// Query UTXOs
const response = await fetch(
  "https://preview.koios.rest/api/v0/address_info",
  {
    method: "POST",
    body: JSON.stringify({ _addresses: ["addr1..."] })
  }
);

CLI + API Workflow

# 1. Query UTXOs via Blockfrost
curl "https://cardano-preview.blockfrost.io/api/v0/addresses/addr1.../utxos" \
  -H "project_id: YOUR_API_KEY"

# 2. Build transaction with CLI
cardano-cli transaction build --tx-in ...

# 3. Submit via Blockfrost
curl -X POST "https://cardano-preview.blockfrost.io/api/v0/tx/submit" \
  -H "project_id: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/cbor" \
  --data-binary @tx.signed

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Hands-On Repository

Cardano Native Tokens Demo

Hands-on project to explore native token operations including minting, burning, and transferring tokens. This repository will be updated with comprehensive examples for working with Cardano native tokens.

Note: This repository will be updated with native token (NT) minting and burning examples. The repository is open source—feel free to clone, test, and contribute!

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Related Session Materials

• Session Notes - Complete native tokens guide
• Session Recordings - Video recordings

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Referenced by the Q1 2025 Developer Experience Working Group session "Open Clinic #1 - Native Tokens".