4 min read

Overview

Solana Labs has released an extension to the native SPL token program, Token-2022. Token 2022 is a new standard that extends the SPL token program and adds additional functionality through Token Extensions. The Token-2022 program is designed to be a more flexible and extensible token standard that allows for more complex tokenomics and control for developers.

What are Token Extensions?

Token Extensions (also known as Token-2022) are an advanced token program on the Solana blockchain, extending the capabilities of the existing Token Program. It's designed to offer developers enhanced flexibility and additional functionalities without compromising the safety of current tokens.

This program encompasses all features of its predecessor (it maintains compatibility with the original Token instruction and account layouts) while providing new instructions and functionality. These extensions introduce new fields in mints and accounts.

Mint extensions currently include:

Feature	Description
Transfer Fees	Fees (or taxes) associated with transferring tokens.
Closing Mint	Permits the termination of empty mint accounts.
Interest-bearing Tokens	Tokens that accumulate interest over time.
Non-transferable Tokens	Tokens cannot be transferred once issued (a.k.a., soulbound tokens).
Permanent Delegates	This authority has unlimited delegate privileges over any account for that mint, meaning that it can burn or transfer any amount of tokens.
Transfer Hook	A program that is required to interact with a token instruction (e.g., royalty enforcement)
Metadata Pointer	A pointer to a metadata account that contains information about the mint.
Metadata	Stores information about the mint, such as the name, symbol, and logo (or other custom fields).
(not yet live) Confidential Transfers	Allows for transfer of tokens with encrypted amounts.

Account extensions currently include:

Feature	Description
Memo Required on Incoming Transfers	A note must accompany all incoming transfers (similar to a bank account).
Immutable Ownership	Lock ownership of an account cannot be changed once set.
Default Account State	Pre-set conditions that apply to the account.
CPI Guard	Prohibits certain actions inside cross-program invocations

It is important to note that the Associated Token Program remains unchanged, meaning it can be used with both the original Token Program and the Token-2022 Program. However, using existing methods, programs, and instructions will require you to pass the Token-2022 program ID as the programId parameter. For example, let's look at the getAssociatedTokenAddressSync from the @solana/spl-token library:

/**
 * Get the address of the associated token account for a given mint and owner
 *
 * @param mint                     Token mint account
 * @param owner                    Owner of the new account
 * @param allowOwnerOffCurve       Allow the owner account to be a PDA (Program Derived Address)
 * @param programId                SPL Token program account
 * @param associatedTokenProgramId SPL Associated Token program account
 *
 * @return Address of the associated token account
 */
export function getAssociatedTokenAddressSync(
    mint: PublicKey,
    owner: PublicKey,
    allowOwnerOffCurve = false,
    programId = TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID,
    associatedTokenProgramId = ASSOCIATED_TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID
): PublicKey {
    if (!allowOwnerOffCurve && !PublicKey.isOnCurve(owner.toBuffer())) throw new TokenOwnerOffCurveError();

    const [address] = PublicKey.findProgramAddressSync(
        [owner.toBuffer(), programId.toBuffer(), mint.toBuffer()],
        associatedTokenProgramId
    );

    return address;
}

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As you can see above, the getAssociatedTokenAddressSync function takes in a programId parameter that defaults to the original Token Program ID (typical for many SPL token methods). To use the Token-2022 program, you must pass in the Token-2022 program ID as the programId parameter. The example below shows the derivation of ata addresses for both the original Token Program and the Token-2022 program:

import { TOKEN_2022_PROGRAM_ID, getAssociatedTokenAddressSync } from "@solana/spl-token";
// ...
const mint: PublicKey = new PublicKey(SOME_TOKEN_MINT); // a mint of a token created with the original standard
const mint2022: PublicKey = new PublicKey(SOME_TOKEN_MINT_2022); // a mint of a token created with the Token-2022 standard
const ataOld = getAssociatedTokenAddressSync(mint, owner, false);
const ata2022 = getAssociatedTokenAddressSync(mint2022, owner, false, TOKEN_2022_PROGRAM_ID); // 👈 pass in the Token-2022 program ID

Note that for mint2022, we had to pass the TOKEN_2022_PROGRAM_ID (TokenzQdBNbLqP5VEhdkAS6EPFLC1PHnBqCXEpPxuEb) as the programId parameter.

The 2022 program is still under audit but is accessible for testing and development.

How to Get Started with Token Extensions

Check out our guides on how to get started with the Token-2022 program:

• Transfer Fees
• Required Memos
• Mint an NFT with the Metadata Extension

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