Associated Token Account

On Solana, a wallet does not hold tokens directly. It holds SOL, and for every SPL token it owns, there is a separate token account. The Associated Token Account (ATA) is the canonical, program-derived address used by most wallets and dApps — computed deterministically from the owner wallet, mint, and program ID.

When you receive a token for the first time, an ATA must exist and typically pays a small rent deposit. Modern wallets and MakeMeACoin create ATAs transparently. If you close an ATA (see close-token-account), any remaining rent SOL returns to the owner.