Total Supply
Total Token Supply
Total number of tokens that currently exist
Definition
Total supply is the amount of tokens that currently exist, including all minted tokens minus any that have been burned. It includes both circulating and locked tokens.
Example
Ethereum's total supply changes constantly as new ETH is minted for staking rewards and burned through transaction fees.
What to check
Treat it as a token-design concept: inspect supply mechanics, holder incentives, redemption paths, and governance controls. The main checks are: Inflation; Supply changes; Burn rate variations.
Risks to Consider
- Inflation
- Supply changes
- Burn rate variations
Common Questions
What does Total Supply mean in DeFi?
Total Supply means Total number of tokens that currently exist. The useful question is not only the definition, but how the mechanism changes risk, return, liquidity, or governance for the user.
How is Total Supply used in practice?
A practical example: Ethereum's total supply changes constantly as new ETH is minted for staking rewards and burned through transaction fees.
What should I check before relying on Total Supply?
Check inflation, supply changes, burn rate variations. Also verify liquidity, oracle assumptions, admin controls, and whether the protocol has been tested during stressed markets.