BEP-2: The native token standard on Binance Chain

BEP-2 is the original token standard that powers asset issuance and transfers on Binance Chain, today known as BNB Beacon Chain. While most new token deployments now favor BEP-20 on BNB Smart Chain, BEP-2 still secures a large base of legacy assets, exchange settlement flows, and the on-chain governance domain of the BNB ecosystem. This guide explains what BEP-2 is, how it works, how it compares to newer standards, and what you should know in 2025.

TL;DR

• BEP-2 defines how tokens are created, named, minted, burned, and transferred on BNB Beacon Chain.
• BEP-2 tokens use addresses that start with bnb1 and fees are paid in BNB on Beacon Chain.
• Many projects have migrated to BEP-20 on BNB Smart Chain for EVM compatibility; binding and bridging enable movement between the two environments.
• In 2024–2025 the BNB Chain roadmap focuses on consolidation and performance, while maintaining compatibility and migration paths for BEP-2 assets. For platform updates, see the BNB Chain blog and the official docs (BNB Beacon Chain and opBNB) for the latest guidance.

References: BNB Chain Docs, BNB Chain Blog, BNB Beacon Chain Explorer, BNB Chain BEPs on GitHub.

What is BEP-2?

BEP-2 is the token standard native to BNB Beacon Chain (the chain originally called Binance Chain). It defines a set of rules for:

• Token identification (symbol format like TICKER-XXXX)
• Supply management (fixed or mintable)
• Token ownership and administrative actions (mint, burn, freeze)
• Transfer mechanics and fee payment in BNB

Because BEP-2 lives on BNB Beacon Chain, it is optimized for high-throughput transfers and simple asset logic rather than general-purpose smart contracts. You can read the high-level chain overview in the official docs (see BNB Beacon Chain overview), and check network status and assets on the BNB Beacon Chain Explorer.

• Docs: BNB Chain Docs
• Overview: BNB Beacon Chain Overview
• Explorer: BNB Beacon Chain Explorer

BEP-2 vs. BEP-20 (and why it matters)

• Execution model

  • BEP-2: Ledger-style token logic baked into the chain’s modules. No EVM smart contracts.
  • BEP-20: EVM-compatible tokens on BNB Smart Chain (BSC), programmable via Solidity and widely used across DeFi.

• Developer and ecosystem reach

  • BEP-2: Ideal for high-speed transfers, exchange settlement, and straightforward issuance with governance flows on Beacon Chain.
  • BEP-20: Compatible with Ethereum tooling, wallets, and DeFi protocols. Most new dApps deploy here.

• Address formats

  • BEP-2: bnb1... addresses
  • BEP-20: 0x... addresses on BSC

• Bridging and binding

  • Many assets support cross-chain binding between Beacon Chain (BEP-2) and Smart Chain (BEP-20), enabling movement across ecosystems while maintaining supply integrity. See cross-chain guidance in the BNB Chain Docs and BEP proposals in the BEPs repository.

References: BNB Chain Docs, BEPs on GitHub, Binance Academy: What Is BEP-20?

How BEP-2 tokens are issued and managed

BEP-2 tokens are created by submitting issuance transactions that specify core properties such as name, symbol suffix, precision, and supply. Administrative privileges allow the authorized owner to mint or burn (if configured), and to propose listings on Beacon Chain’s native DEX infrastructure.

Key properties and flows:

• Symboling convention: HUMAN-READABLE-SYMBOL-XXXX format to guarantee uniqueness across the chain.
• Fees and gas: Transactions are paid in BNB on Beacon Chain.
• Governance and listing: Token owners can submit proposals (e.g., for DEX listing) that follow on-chain governance workflows.
• Freezing and whitelisting: Depending on configuration, certain controls may be available for compliance and operational recovery.

For technical details and transaction formats, start with the BNB Chain Docs and the BEPs repository on GitHub.

• Docs: BNB Chain Docs
• Proposals: BEPs on GitHub

2024–2025 landscape: What’s changing for BEP-2?

BNB Chain’s recent and ongoing upgrades aim to consolidate functionality, improve throughput, and streamline the developer experience across Beacon Chain, BNB Smart Chain, and opBNB. The emphasis is on EVM growth while keeping migration paths open for legacy assets.

What to watch:

• Consolidation and migration tooling: BNB Chain has been guiding projects that launched on BEP-2 to consider BEP-20 for EVM access, often via binding and official migration processes documented in the developer portal. See the BNB Chain Blog for the latest roadmap and announcements.
• L2 growth (opBNB): For scaling EVM workloads, opBNB continues to evolve with performance upgrades and lower fees, complementing BSC while BEP-2 remains specialized for asset registry and governance. See opBNB overview in the docs.

References: BNB Chain Blog, BNB Chain Docs, opBNB Overview

Common user pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Wrong network deposits: A BEP-2 token sent to a 0x... address on BSC will not arrive. Always match token standard and address format.
• Missing Memo: Some centralized exchanges require a Memo (a short text identifier) for BEP-2 deposits. Missing it can delay crediting. Check your exchange’s deposit instructions carefully (see Binance Support: What Is a Memo?).
• Fee asset: You need BNB (Beacon Chain) to pay BEP-2 transaction fees.
• Symbol suffix confusion: Many BEP-2 tokens use suffixes (e.g., -B2C) that look unfamiliar. Verify contract bindings via the official explorer and project documentation.

Useful links:

• BNB Beacon Chain Explorer
• Binance Support: What Is a Memo?

Managing BEP-2 assets securely

Best practices:

• Verify network in your wallet before sending.
• Double-check the Memo field for exchange deposits.
• Prefer hardware-backed signing for large balances or frequent transfers.
• Use the official explorer to confirm token metadata and supply before interacting.

If you manage both BEP-2 and BEP-20 assets, a single wallet setup that supports BNB Beacon Chain and BNB Smart Chain reduces operational risk. OneKey supports offline signing for both networks, shows the correct address formats (bnb1... vs 0x...), and warns about Memo requirements when applicable—helpful guardrails for everyday users and treasuries.

For developers: issuing and migrating

• Issuance: Use the chain’s issuance transactions and pay fees in BNB on Beacon Chain. Follow token naming rules and consider whether you need mintable or fixed supply. Start with the developer docs.
• Binding and migration: If you need EVM compatibility (DEX liquidity, DeFi composability), create a BEP-20 counterpart and establish a binding/migration workflow documented by BNB Chain. Coordinate with exchanges and wallets to minimize user disruption.
• Governance and proposals: Use BEP-style proposals to formalize changes, and link to your explorer entries to keep the community informed.

References: BNB Chain Docs, BEPs on GitHub, BNB Beacon Chain Explorer

FAQ

• Is BEP-2 deprecated?

  • No. It is still supported on BNB Beacon Chain for legacy assets, governance, and transfers. However, new token launches often prefer BEP-20 on BSC for EVM programmability. Check the BNB Chain Blog for current guidance and timelines.

• Can I use BEP-2 in DeFi apps?

  • Not directly. Most DeFi protocols live on BSC (BEP-20). Use binding/bridging if you need to move liquidity to BSC.

• How do I check a BEP-2 token’s authenticity?

  • Verify the symbol and issuer on the BNB Beacon Chain Explorer and cross-check the project’s official documentation or announcements.

Conclusion

BEP-2 remains the native token standard for BNB Beacon Chain: fast, battle-tested, and integrated with the network’s governance and DEX heritage. In parallel, BEP-20 on BNB Smart Chain has become the go-to for EVM programmability and DeFi. For teams and users, the practical path in 2025 is coexistence: secure your BEP-2 balances, use official bindings to reach EVM liquidity when needed, and follow BNB Chain’s roadmap to align with ongoing consolidation.

If you hold BEP-2 and BEP-20 assets side by side, consider a hardware-first setup. OneKey supports both BNB Beacon Chain and BNB Smart Chain, offers clear network labeling (bnb1 vs 0x), and enables offline signing—reducing the risk of wrong-network sends and missing Memos during exchange deposits.

Further reading and resources:

• BNB Chain Docs
• BNB Beacon Chain Overview
• opBNB Overview
• BNB Chain Blog
• BNB Beacon Chain Explorer
• BEPs on GitHub
• Binance Academy: What Is BEP-20?
• Binance Support: What Is a Memo?