What Is BRC20? A Complete Guide to Wallets and Token Purchasing (ORDI & SATS Explained)

Introduction

BRC20 represents an innovative experiment in Bitcoin's NFT ecosystem. This guide will walk you through purchasing, minting, and trading BRC20 tokens step by step.

Key Takeaways

• BRC20 enables ERC20-like token creation on Bitcoin via the Ordinals protocol
• ORDI was the first deployed BRC20 token
• Requires specialized wallets (Unisat, Xverse, Ordinals Wallet)
• Growing marketplace support (OKX, Magic Eden, Unisat)

Table of Contents

1. Understanding BRC20
2. Bitcoin NFTs: The Ordinals Protocol
3. BRC20 vs Traditional NFTs
4. BRC20 Minting Tutorial
5. Purchasing BRC20 Tokens
6. Transferring and Selling BRC20
7. Top BRC20 Tokens and Ecosystems

Understanding BRC20

Created by @domodata, BRC20 tests Bitcoin NFT protocol's ability to enhance fungibility. Key characteristics:

• Token Standard: Mimics ERC20 functionality on Bitcoin
• Inscriptions: Text-based data permanently recorded on-chain
• Explosive Growth: 30,000+ inscriptions minted on launch day (March 9)

👉 Explore Bitcoin NFT ecosystems

Bitcoin NFTs: The Ordinals Protocol

Developed by Casey Rodarmor in January 2023, Ordinals enable:

• Permanent on-chain art/text/video storage
• Unique "inscriptions" (Bitcoin's equivalent of NFTs)
• Direct satoshi-level data recording

How It Works:

1. Bitcoin divides into 100M satoshis
2. Node operators can inscribe data onto sats
3. Creates immutable, chain-stored content

BRC20 vs Traditional NFTs

BRC20 Minting Tutorial

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Set Up a Compatible Wallet
   Recommended options:

   • Unisat Wallet
   • Xverse
   • Ordinals Wallet
2. Access Minting Tools
   Use platforms like Unisat or Gamma.io

3. Find Mintable Tokens
   Track upcoming projects via:

   • Ordinal Hub
   • OrdDirectory

4. Mint via Unisat

   • Navigate to BRC20 page
   • Select "In-Progress" tokens
   • Adjust gas fees for priority

5. Complete Transaction
   Payment options:

   • Direct BTC transfer
   • Wallet balance
   • Mixpay (supports Binance Pay)

Pro Tip: Increase gas fees for high-demand mints to avoid failed transactions.

Purchasing BRC20 Tokens

Where to Buy:

1. Marketplaces

   • Magic Eden
   • Unisat Market
   • OKX NFT Marketplace

2. Exchanges (for listed tokens like ORDI)

   • Binance
   • OKX
   • KuCoin

👉 Get started with OKX trading

Transferring and Selling BRC20

Two Methods:

1. Manual Inscription
   Create transfer inscription with:

   {
    "p": "brc-20",
    "op": "transfer",
    "tick": "ordi",
    "amt": "100"
   }

2. Wallet Interfaces

   • OKX: Web3 wallet "Inscribe Transfer"
   • Unisat: Built-in transfer function

Important: Always check Bitcoin network fees via mempool.space before transactions.

Top BRC20 Tokens and Ecosystems

Popular Tokens:

1. ORDI - First BRC20 token
2. SATS - Tied to Satoshi unit
3. PEPE - Meme coin phenomenon

Notable NFT Projects:

• TwelveFold (Yuga Labs)
• Taproot Wizards
• Bitcoin Punks

FAQ

Is BRC20 the same as Bitcoin Ordinals?

No. Ordinals refer to the NFT protocol, while BRC20 is a token standard built atop it.

Which wallets support BRC20?

Unisat, Xverse, Hiro, and OKX Web3 Wallet currently offer the best support.

Can I store BRC20 in any Bitcoin wallet?

No. You need specialized Ordinals-compatible wallets with Taproot addresses.

Why are BRC20 transactions slow?

Bitcoin's 10-minute block time limits speed compared to Ethereum's ~12-second blocks.

What's the future of BRC20?

The ecosystem is evolving rapidly with improved tooling and exchange integrations.

Conclusion

BRC20 represents Bitcoin's latest innovation wave, blending NFT capabilities with fungible tokens. While still early-stage, the protocol shows significant potential for:

• New tokenization models
• Layer 2 integrations
• Enhanced Bitcoin utility

For hands-on learning, start with Unisat Wallet and small test transactions. The space continues to evolve—stay tuned for developments!