"Bitcoin Inscription" refers to the process of engraving content onto satoshis using the Ordinals protocol. The information written can include text, images, videos, audio, and more. Common Bitcoin"Bitcoin Inscription" refers to the process of engraving content onto satoshis using the Ordinals protocol. The information written can include text, images, videos, audio, and more. Common Bitcoin
Learn/Cryptocurrency Knowledge/Hot Concepts/What is Bit...nscription?

What is Bitcoin Inscription?

Jan 21, 2026MEXC
0m
4
4$0.009004+5.74%
COMMON
COMMON$----%


"Bitcoin Inscription" refers to the process of engraving content onto satoshis using the Ordinals protocol. The information written can include text, images, videos, audio, and more.

Common Bitcoin inscriptions are primarily divided into two categories: text-based inscriptions and image-based inscriptions, commonly referred to as BRC-20 tokens and Bitcoin NFTs.

1. A Brief History of Bitcoin Inscription Development


1.1 Ordinals Protocol


In the recent bull market, the surge in NFT popularity led developers to explore ways to release NFTs on the Bitcoin network. Due to the absence of smart contract support on the Bitcoin network, the direct issuance of NFTs faces limitations.

At the end of 2022, Bitcoin network developer Casey introduced the NFT protocol Ordinals on the Bitcoin mainnet. The protocol introduced the concepts of Ordinals and Inscriptions. The Ordinals protocol facilitates the issuance of NFTs on the Bitcoin network by embedding them onto the smallest unit of Bitcoin, satoshi, and associating a unique serial number (Ordinals) with each satoshi. This connection between satoshis and various forms of content, such as images, text, and videos, results in the creation of unique and irreplaceable NFTs.

The introduction of the Ordinals protocol has garnered market attention, prompting older NFT protocols to consider launching new projects on the Bitcoin network. Notably, the Yuga Labs team, renowned for the Bored Ape Yacht Club, has introduced a new project called TwelveFold on the Bitcoin network.

1.2 BRC-20 Standard


Based on the Ordinals protocol, developer Domo introduced the BRC-20 standard for issuing fungible tokens on the Bitcoin network. ORDI is the first BRC-20 token launched on the Bitcoin blockchain, with a total supply of 21 million.

The BRC-20 standard quickly gained traction on the market, resulting in the introduction of various BRC-20 tokens. Recently, several top exchanges have added BRC-20 tokens to their listings, further fueling overall market excitement.

1.3 Ethscriptions Protocol


Taking inspiration from the Ordinals protocol, Genius co-founder Tom Lehman introduced the Ethereum Inscriptions protocol, Ethscriptions, with the goal of lowering the minting costs of NFTs and advancing the development of the NFT space.

Contrary to expectations, this concept did not garner support from the community and various NFT projects. Nevertheless, a gameplay similar to BRC20 tokens persisted on Ethereum, and ETHS stands as the inaugural token of the Ethscriptions protocol.

1.4 Other Protocols


Despite the widespread use of the Ordinals protocol, it still has its drawbacks. In response to these limitations, new protocols such as Atomicals, Runes & Pipe, and Taproot Assets have been introduced. Alongside these protocols, several early projects have garnered market attention and interest in the current market trend.

2. Bitcoin Inscription Features


2.1 Non-Fungible: Once an inscription is made, others cannot add their own, ensuring each one is unique.

2.2 Relatively Fair: Participation is open to everyone without any reservations, a key factor contributing to the popularity of inscriptions.

2.3 First Come, First Served: Transactions with higher fees receive priority processing, which aligns with the logic of Bitcoin miners prioritizing transactions with higher fees.

2.4 Limited Quantity: The quantity can be restricted during inscription creation, and cannot be altered afterward.

2.5 Tamper-Proof: Bitcoin inscriptions are stored directly on the Bitcoin network, not in storage spaces like IPFS.

3. Disputes Surrounding Bitcoin Inscriptions


As the market demand for Bitcoin inscriptions rises, the debates surrounding them continue without cease.

Advocates argue that the introduction of inscriptions has not only raised transaction fees for Bitcoin miners but has also bolstered the overall security of the Bitcoin network. The recent market excitement surrounding BRC-20 tokens has coincided with a surge in Bitcoin network fees, signifying enhanced earnings for miners. At the same time, the higher miner earnings act as a magnet, attracting more miners and bolstering the robust security of the Bitcoin network.

Detractors argue that inscriptions have introduced a considerable amount of spam data, leading to "attacks" on the Bitcoin network. Additionally, they express concerns about the potential substantial risks associated with the centralized accounting method relying on indexers. Notably, Bitcoin Core developer Luke represents this opposing viewpoint.

Despite ongoing debates, market enthusiasm and fervor in the crypto community continue to thrive. The BRC-20 series tokens have witnessed considerable growth, and similar gameplays have extended beyond the Bitcoin network to other blockchain networks.


The inscription trend began on the Bitcoin network and later extended to various blockchains. After the widespread adoption of inscriptions, similar gameplays were successively introduced on blockchains such as Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche (AVAX), Polygon, BNB Chain, and others.

According to the latest trading market data, the floor prices for ETH and Facet inscriptions on the Ethereum network are 5.798 ETH and 0.778 ETH, respectively. Compared to the minting price of 1 USDT at that time, they have seen increases of over 13,000% and 1,700%, respectively.

The floor price for SOLS inscriptions on the Solana network is currently 74 SOL, with a minting price of approximately 5 USDT, achieving an increase of 1,100%.

The floor price for BNBS inscriptions on the BNB Chain network is currently 6.25 BNB, with a minting price of approximately 0.02 USDT, achieving an increase of over 76,000%.

The wealth effect generated by inscriptions has attracted many users, with increasingly professional teams and players entering the scene, competing in inscription minting using scripts and other methods. However, for average retail players, participating in the minting frenzy can be quite challenging. They are often left with the option to enter the secondary market.

In addition, tokens from the BRC-20 series have become a preferred choice for more retail investors. The recent achievements of top tokens such as ORDI and SATS have enabled numerous users to secure substantial profits.

5. How to Purchase BRC-20 Series Tokens


For regular players looking to buy associated tokens, the easiest way is to engage in trading on exchanges. Currently, the MEXC trading platform offers spot and futures trading for tokens like ORDI, SATS, PEPE, and more. Users are welcome to trade on the MEXC platform.

Let's use ORDI spot trading as an example to show how this is accomplished.

Open the MEXC App, tap the search bar at the top of the homepage and enter "ORDI." Select the ORDI/USDT trading pair under the "Spot" category to enter the K-line chart page. Tap on [Buy], then select [Market] as the order type and input the "Amount" or "Total" value. Finally, tap [Buy ORDI] to complete the order.

You may also choose to buy ORDI through spot trading using a limit order or stop-limit order.



Disclaimer: This information does not provide advice on investment, taxation, legal, financial, accounting, or any other related services, nor does it constitute advice to purchase, sell, or hold any assets. MEXC Learn provides information for reference purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved and exercise caution when investing. The platform is not responsible for users' investment decisions.


Market Opportunity
4 Logo
4 Price(4)
$0.009004
$0.009004$0.009004
-1.70%
USD
4 (4) Live Price Chart

Popular Articles

View More
MEXC On-chain Daily Report:Bank of Korea Completes Live BIS Tokenized Payment Test

MEXC On-chain Daily Report:Bank of Korea Completes Live BIS Tokenized Payment Test

Updated: July 31, 2026, 09:30 (UTC+8) | Author: MEXC Headlines Brazil’s crypto purchases surged 135% in H1 World Cup on-chain prediction volume reached $20 billion U.S. senators submitted a Clarity

USDJPY Forecast After the July 30, 2026 Yen Surge: Why the Dollar Fell and What Comes Next

USDJPY Forecast After the July 30, 2026 Yen Surge: Why the Dollar Fell and What Comes Next

USDJPY experienced an unusually sharp reversal during the evening of July 30, 2026, Hong Kong time. The U.S. dollar fell by as much as 3% against the Japanese yen, briefly pushing USDJPY down to

Highest Leverage Crypto Exchanges in 2026: Only Two Survive the 500x Test

Highest Leverage Crypto Exchanges in 2026: Only Two Survive the 500x Test

Two major crypto exchanges currently sit at the top of the leverage ladder: MEXC and BTCC both list futures contracts at up to 500x, while most large rivals cap out between 100x and 125x. MEXC pairs

Can You Trade Stocks and Crypto in One App? Best Platforms Compared (2026)

Can You Trade Stocks and Crypto in One App? Best Platforms Compared (2026)

Yes, you can trade stocks and crypto in one app, but your real options depend on where you live. US residents can pick from Robinhood, Coinbase, Kraken, or Crypto.com. UK and EU investors have eToro

Hot Crypto Updates

View More
Microsoft FY2026 Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates as Azure Growth Accelerates and MSFT Stock Jumps

Microsoft FY2026 Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates as Azure Growth Accelerates and MSFT Stock Jumps

When Were the Microsoft Q4 FY2026 Earnings Released? Microsoft announced its fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 earnings after the U.S. market closed on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The quarter covered the

SPY Price Prediction 2026–2030: Bull, Base and Bear Market Scenarios

SPY Price Prediction 2026–2030: Bull, Base and Bear Market Scenarios

Summary SPY closed at $740.86 on July 28, 2026. State Street reported a forward P/E of 21.59x and estimated three-to-five-year portfolio earnings growth of 17.38%. The following ranges are

STM Stock Price Prediction 2026–2030: Bull, Base and Bear Scenarios

STM Stock Price Prediction 2026–2030: Bull, Base and Bear Scenarios

Summary STM closed near $53.45 on July 27, 2026 after falling sharply following Q2 earnings. The stock had previously reached approximately $81.42 in early June, illustrating the unusually wide range

All Eyes on the Fed: What Today’s Interest Rate Decision Could Mean for Bitcoin and Crypto

All Eyes on the Fed: What Today’s Interest Rate Decision Could Mean for Bitcoin and Crypto

The Federal Reserve will announce its interest rate decision today at 2:00 PM ET, and crypto markets are holding their breath. The federal funds rate has sat at 3.50%–3.75% since December 2025, and

Trending News

View More
Samsung Q2 Profit Jumps 19x, But Shares Fall: Why AI Memory Stocks Face a Higher Bar

Samsung Q2 Profit Jumps 19x, But Shares Fall: Why AI Memory Stocks Face a Higher Bar

Samsung Electronics recently guided its Q2 2026 revenue at approximately KRW 171 trillion with an operating profit of KRW 89.4 trillion—an astonishing 19-fold jump from a year earlier. On paper, this

Tesla Q1 2026 Earnings Review: Deliveries Rebounded, But Margin Quality Remains the Real Test

Tesla Q1 2026 Earnings Review: Deliveries Rebounded, But Margin Quality Remains the Real Test

Tesla reported its Q1 2026 financial results on April 22, 2026, after the U.S. market close. The company delivered 358,023 vehicles in the quarter, generated total revenue of $22.4 billion, and report

Apple FY2026 Q2 Earnings Review: iPhone Revenue and Services Growth Keep EPS Story Intact

Apple FY2026 Q2 Earnings Review: iPhone Revenue and Services Growth Keep EPS Story Intact

Apple reported fiscal 2026 second-quarter results on April 30, 2026, covering the quarter that ended March 28, 2026. Revenue reached $111.2 billion, up 17% year over year, while diluted EPS rose 22% t

Hyperliquid Open Interest Hits $11.5 Billion: Are On-Chain Perpetuals Expanding into U.S. Equity Markets?

Hyperliquid Open Interest Hits $11.5 Billion: Are On-Chain Perpetuals Expanding into U.S. Equity Markets?

Hyperliquid’s open interest has reached approximately $11.5 billion, a new high for 2026, with HIP-3 markets contributing nearly $4 billion. The S&P 500-linked contract has become the largest HIP-3 ma

Related Articles

View More
What is a Stablecoin? A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Stable Cryptocurrencies

What is a Stablecoin? A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Stable Cryptocurrencies

Are you interested in stablecoins but find the world of cryptocurrency daunting? You’re not alone. Digital currencies can be complex, especially for those new to the space. This comprehensive guide of

Does XRP Burn Coins? Yes, but Not for the Reason You Think

Does XRP Burn Coins? Yes, but Not for the Reason You Think

If you've been holding XRP or thinking about buying it, you've probably seen people arguing about "XRP burns" and wondered what all the fuss is about. The short answer: yes, XRP burns coins — a tiny a

Is XRP Going to Go Up? The Honest Answer No One Gives You

Is XRP Going to Go Up? The Honest Answer No One Gives You

Sooner or later, almost every XRP holder types the same question into a search bar: is XRP going to go up?Here's the honest problem with that question — anyone who answers it with a confident yes and

Can XRP Reach $1,000? The Math Says No, Here's Why

Can XRP Reach $1,000? The Math Says No, Here's Why

Every crypto rally brings the same question back: can XRP reach $1,000?It is one of the most-searched price targets in all of crypto, and the short answer is no — not at anything close to XRP's curren

Sign Up on MEXC
Sign Up & Receive Up to 10,000 USDT Bonus
Is Your Stablecoin Truly Safe?
Is Your Stablecoin Truly Safe?Is Your Stablecoin Truly Safe?
Know the risks of USDT, USDC, OpenUSD & USD1