---
title: Deploy an ERC-20 Using Hardhat
description: Deploy an ERC-20 token on Polkadot Hub using PVM. This guide covers contract creation, compilation, deployment, and interaction via Hardhat.
categories: Basics, Smart Contracts
url: https://docs.polkadot.com/smart-contracts/cookbook/smart-contracts/deploy-erc20/erc20-hardhat/
word_count: 1087
token_estimate: 2046
version_hash: sha256:3f69b3d5d5ec63c883837a4d8c6a3a6df694b04b5ffcb237dd7496f5d8d5dd87
last_updated: 2026-06-29T16:08:22+00:00
---

# Deploy an ERC-20 Using Hardhat

## Introduction

[ERC-20](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-20) tokens are fungible tokens commonly used for creating cryptocurrencies, governance tokens, and staking mechanisms. Polkadot Hub enables easy deployment of ERC-20 tokens via Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and tools.

This guide demonstrates how to deploy an ERC-20 contract on Polkadot Hub TestNet using [Hardhat](https://hardhat.org/), an Ethereum development environment. The ERC-20 contract can be retrieved from OpenZeppelin's [GitHub repository](https://github.com/OpenZeppelin/openzeppelin-contracts/tree/v5.6.1/contracts/token/ERC20) or generated with the [OpenZeppelin Contracts Wizard for Polkadot](https://wizard.openzeppelin.com/polkadot).

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

- A basic understanding of [Solidity](https://www.soliditylang.org/) programming and [ERC-20](https://ethereum.org/developers/docs/standards/tokens/erc-20/) fungible tokens.
- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/download) v22.13.1 or later installed.
- Test tokens for gas fees, available from the [Polkadot faucet](https://faucet.polkadot.io/). See [Get Test Tokens](/smart-contracts/faucet/#get-test-tokens) for a guide to using the faucet.
- A wallet with a private key for signing transactions.

## Set Up Your Project

This tutorial uses a [Hardhat ERC-20 template](https://github.com/polkadot-developers/revm-hardhat-examples/tree/master/erc20-hardhat) that contains all the necessary files. 

To get started, take the following steps:

1. Clone the GitHub repository locally:

    ```bash
    git clone https://github.com/polkadot-developers/revm-hardhat-examples/
    cd revm-hardhat-examples/erc20-hardhat
    ```

2. Install the dependencies using the following command:

    ```bash
    npm i
    ```
    
    This command will fetch all the necessary packages to help you use Hardhat to deploy an ERC-20 to Polkadot.

## Configure Hardhat

If you started with the cloned Hardhat ERC-20 template, `hardhat.config.ts` is already configured to deploy to the Polkadot TestNet as shown in the example below:

```ts title="hardhat.config.ts" hl_lines="14-19"
import { HardhatUserConfig, vars } from "hardhat/config";
import "@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox";

const config: HardhatUserConfig = {
  solidity: {
    version: "0.8.28",
    settings: {
      optimizer: {
        enabled: true,
        runs: 200,
      },
    },
  },
  networks: {
    polkadotTestnet: {
      url: "https://services.polkadothub-rpc.com/testnet",
      accounts: vars.has("TESTNET_PRIVATE_KEY") ? [vars.get("TESTNET_PRIVATE_KEY")] : [],
    },
  },
  mocha: {
    timeout: 40000,
  },
};

export default config;
```

!!! tip
    Visit the Hardhat [Configuration variables](https://v2.hardhat.org/hardhat-runner/docs/guides/configuration-variables) documentation to learn how to use Hardhat to handle your private keys securely.

## Compile the Contract 

Next, compile the contract included with the template by running the following command:

```bash
npx hardhat compile
```

If everything compiles successfully, you will see output similar to the following:

<div id="termynal" data-termynal markdown>
  <span data-ty="input">npx hardhat compile</span>
  <span data-ty>Generating typings for: 23 artifacts in dir: typechain-types for target: ethers-v6</span>
  <span data-ty>Successfully generated 62 typings!</span>
  <span data-ty>Compiled 21 Solidity files successfully (evm target: paris).</span>
  <span data-ty="input"><span class="file-path"></span></span>
</div>


## Test the Contract

You can view the predefined test file at [`test/MyToken.test.ts`](https://github.com/polkadot-developers/revm-hardhat-examples/blob/master/erc20-hardhat/test/MyToken.test.ts). This example test includes verification of the following:

- The token name and symbol exist (confirms deployment) and are correct.
- The token owner is correctly configured.
- The initial token supply is zero.
- The owner can mint tokens.
- The total supply increases after a mint.
- Successful mints to different test addresses with expected account balance and total supply changes.

Run the tests using the following command:

```bash
npx hardhat test --network polkadotTestnet
```

If tests are successful, you will see outputs similar to the following:

<div id="termynal" data-termynal markdown>
  <span data-ty="input">npx hardhat test --network polkadotTestnet</span>
  <span data-ty></span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;MyToken</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deployment</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;✔ Should have correct name and symbol</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;✔ Should set the right owner</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;✔ Should have zero initial supply</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Minting</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;✔ Should allow owner to mint tokens</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;✔ Should increase total supply on mint</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Multiple mints</span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;✔ Should correctly track balance after multiple mints</span>
  <span data-ty></span>
  <span data-ty>&nbsp;&nbsp;6 passing (369ms)</span>
  <span data-ty="input"><span class="file-path"></span></span>
</div>


## Deploy the Contract

You are now ready to deploy the contract to your chosen network. This example demonstrates deployment to the Polkadot TestNet. Deploy the contract as follows:

1. Run the following command in your terminal:

    ```bash
    npx hardhat ignition deploy ./ignition/modules/MyToken.ts --network polkadotTestnet
    ```

2. Confirm the target deployment network name and chain ID when prompted:

    <div id="termynal" data-termynal markdown>
      <span data-ty="input">npx hardhat ignition deploy ./ignition/modules/MyToken.ts --network polkadotTestnet</span>
      <span data-ty>✔ Confirm deploy to network polkadotTestnet (420420417)? … yes</span>
      <span data-ty>&nbsp;</span>
      <span data-ty>Hardhat Ignition 🚀</span>
      <span data-ty>&nbsp;</span>
      <span data-ty>Deploying [ TokenModule ]</span>
      <span data-ty>&nbsp;</span>
      <span data-ty>Batch #1</span>
      <span data-ty> Executed TokenModule#MyToken</span>
      <span data-ty>&nbsp;</span>
      <span data-ty>Batch #2</span>
      <span data-ty> Executed TokenModule#MyToken.mint</span>
      <span data-ty>&nbsp;</span>
      <span data-ty>[ TokenModule ] successfully deployed 🚀</span>
      <span data-ty>&nbsp;</span>
      <span data-ty>Deployed Addresses</span>
      <span data-ty>&nbsp;</span>
      <span data-ty>TokenModule#MyToken - 0xc01Ee7f10EA4aF4673cFff62710E1D7792aBa8f3</span>
      <span data-ty="input"><span class="file-path"></span></span>
    </div>
    

Congratulations! You've successfully deployed an ERC-20 token contract to Polkadot Hub TestNet using Hardhat. Consider the following resources to build upon your progress.

## Where to Go Next

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

-   <span class="badge guide">Guide</span> __Deploy an NFT__

    ---

    Walk through deploying an NFT to the Polkadot Hub using Hardhat.

    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Get Started](/smart-contracts/cookbook/smart-contracts/deploy-nft/nft-hardhat/)

-   <span class="badge guide">Guide</span> __Create a DApp__

    ---

    Learn step-by-step how to build a fully functional dApp that interacts with a smart contract deployed via Hardhat.

    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Get Started](/smart-contracts/cookbook/dapps/zero-to-hero/)

</div>