Abstract: A reference token service is herein described. In one embodiment, the reference token service receives raw data strings from trusted source applications associated with merchants or other users. Upon receipt of a given raw data string, the reference token service then identifies one or more reference token pools corresponding to a merchant that sent the raw data string, wherein each reference token pool includes a plurality of reference tokens with comprising formats and data structures compatible with the merchant. The raw data string is then sent to a crypto system for tokenization. The crypto system returns a crypto token to the reference token service, wherein the crypto token may not satisfy the specific formatting or data requirements of the merchant. The crypto token is then associated with a reference token corresponding to the merchant, and the reference token is provided to the merchant.