First Token on Move

Learning Move’s Asset Model through Token Creation

💡 Goals of This Chapter

• Understand Move’s asset model (resource, object) through hands‑on practice.
• Learn the token issuance flow using Coin, TreasuryCap, and mint / burn logic.
• Use the Sui Extension template to create and manage your own token.

1. Overview — What Is an Asset in Move?

In Move, all assets—coins, NFTs, and permissions—are represented as resources. A resource cannot be copied or deleted; it can only be moved.

Concept	Description
resource	A value that cannot be copied or deleted—only moved.
object	A managed instance of a resource in Sui.
Coin<T>	Represents a token object.
TreasuryCap<T>	Object holding capability to mint or burn.

2. Preparing the Template — Managed Token

The Sui Extension includes a ready‑to‑use token template. Choose “Sui Move Intro Course: Fungible Token (Managed)” to begin.

📌 Steps to Load the Template

1. In VS Code → Explorer, right‑click a folder → New Move Project
2. Select Fungible Token (Managed) from the list
3. Run Build / Test / Deploy to complete deployment

After deployment, a TreasuryCap<...::MANAGED> object is created. It represents your token’s mint and burn authority.

3. Code Walkthrough — Minting and Capability Structure

Token Type Definition

public struct MANAGED has drop {}

MANAGED defines the token’s type. It’s an empty struct with the drop ability and serves as the token’s unique type identifier.

Initialization Logic

fun init(witness: MANAGED, ctx: &mut TxContext) {
    let (treasury_cap, metadata) = sui::coin::create_currency<MANAGED>(
        witness, 2, b"MANAGED", b"MNG", b"", std::option::none(), ctx
    );
    sui::transfer::public_freeze_object(metadata);
    sui::transfer::public_transfer(treasury_cap, sui::tx_context::sender(ctx));
}

• create_currency creates the token and its metadata.
• metadata stores the token name, symbol, and description.
• treasury_cap grants mint/burn authority.

4. Practice — Minting and Burning

Mint Function

public fun mint(
    treasury_cap: &mut TreasuryCap<MANAGED>,
    amount: u64,
    recipient: address,
    ctx: &mut TxContext,
) {
    treasury_cap.mint_and_transfer(amount, recipient, ctx)
}

• Only accounts holding TreasuryCap can call this function.
• Mints tokens and transfers them to recipient.

Burn Function

public fun burn(treasury_cap: &mut TreasuryCap<MANAGED>, coin: Coin<MANAGED>) {
    treasury_cap.burn(coin);
}

• Burns (destroys) existing tokens.

5. Running in PTB Builder 🌟

1. Open PTB Builder

2. Add a moveCall node

3. Load the package

4. Select the function: 0x<package_address>::managed::mint

5. Set arguments:

   • object(treasuryCapId)
   • pure.u64(amount)
   • pure.address(recipient)

6. Click Run and check the Transaction Digest

   • View it in the Sui Blockchain Explorer, or at ptb.wal.app/viewer by appending your digest: https://ptb.wal.app/viewer?tx=<DIGEST>

💡 PTB Builder can convert the executed PTB to TypeScript code. Use Export to paste it directly into your project.

6. Results and Applications

• The minted Coin<MANAGED> appears in the Owner Objects Explorer.
• You can call burn to destroy tokens in the same way.
• Both PTB Builder and CLI produce the same transaction block.