Legacy Tokens

Definition ∞ Legacy tokens refer to older or foundational cryptocurrencies and digital assets that preceded the proliferation of newer, more specialized tokens. These typically include assets like Bitcoin and early altcoins, which established the initial paradigms for blockchain technology. They are often characterized by their established networks and market capitalization. Their historical significance remains considerable.
Context ∞ In crypto news, “legacy tokens” are frequently referenced when discussing market dominance, technological evolution, or comparisons with newer decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) innovations. Debates often involve their scalability limitations versus newer protocols, or their enduring store-of-value propositions. Their performance and development continue to shape the broader digital asset market narrative.