ERC-1155 is a standard for smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, which encompasses the functionality of both ERC-20 (fungible tokens, like cryptocurrencies) and ERC-721 (non-fungible tokens, or NFTs) within a single smart contract. This makes it a MultiToken standard.

In the ERC-1155 standard, each token is identified by an ID. What makes this different from ERC-721 (where each token also has a unique ID) is that tokens of the same ID in ERC-1155 are interchangeable, just like ERC-20 tokens. This allows for both fungible and non-fungible tokens to be represented within a single contract.

Use Cases for ERC-1155 MultiToken Collections

1. Video Games: ERC-1155 tokens can represent a wide variety of assets within a game, such as fungible resources (like in-game currency or consumable items) and non-fungible unique items (like a special character or a limited edition weapon). This can all be done within a single, smart contract.
2. DeFi Platforms: A single ERC-1155 contract can manage a variety of tokens, such as governance tokens (fungible) and insurance contracts or loan receipts (non-fungible).
3. Art and Collectibles: Just like with ERC-721, artists can mint their artworks as NFTs with ERC-1155. However, with ERC-1155 they can also issue fungible tokens, such as prints or copies, alongside the unique piece.
4. Real World Assets: ERC-1155 tokens can represent ownership in real world assets, such as real estate or commodities. The fungible tokens can represent a divisible interest in an asset, while non-fungible tokens can represent unique assets.

By using the Tatum SDK to create an ERC-1155 MultiToken collection, you're able to manage a complex economy of both fungible and non-fungible tokens with ease. Whether you're developing an intricate in-game economy or creating a platform with diverse types of assets, ERC-1155 offers a versatile solution for digital ownership and trade.