Definition
Metadata in crypto is the structured descriptive data that provides details about a digital asset, transaction, or on-chain record. It commonly includes fields like a token’s name, description, image link, attributes, and other properties that help identify and categorize the asset. In decentralized finance, metadata helps systems and users understand what a particular token or record represents beyond its raw numerical balance or address.
For assets like an NFT or a fungible token, metadata is often referenced by a smart contract and may be stored on-chain or off-chain while still being linked to the blockchain. Marketplaces rely on this metadata to display items correctly, such as showing images, traits, and collection names. Because metadata defines how an asset is presented and interpreted, its structure and accuracy are important for consistent behavior across wallets, marketplaces, and other applications.
In Simple Terms
Metadata is the “info card” that explains what a blockchain token or record actually is. Instead of just seeing numbers and addresses, metadata adds human-readable details like a token’s title, picture, and basic characteristics.
When a smart contract creates a token, it can point to metadata that describes that token so apps and marketplaces know how to show it. This extra layer of information turns a basic on-chain entry into something recognizable, searchable, and meaningful for users and DeFi platforms.