A token is a digital unit created according to the rules of a blockchain network. Those rules can define balance, transfer, issuance, destruction, permissions, and events. The token's economic or operational meaning comes from the product and the agreement surrounding it, not just the code.
Standards like ERC-20 organize common behaviors so wallets and applications know how to interact with a token. Similar standards may exist on other networks, but they should not be treated as interchangeable without analyzing technical differences.
Before creating a token, you need to answer what it is for, who can issue it, how it will be distributed, what restrictions exist, and how changes will be governed. These answers help avoid a digital asset without a clear purpose.
Technical issuance does not, by itself, constitute investment advice or a guarantee of value. Project communication should distinguish technology, utility, rights, and risks.