The world of blockchain continues to evolve, and one of the most compelling narratives in 2025 is the emergence of Bitcoin inscriptions, Ordinals, and the BRC-20 token standard. While Bitcoin was originally designed as a decentralized peer-to-peer electronic cash system, new innovations are unlocking creative and financial use cases directly on the base layer—without altering Bitcoin’s core protocol.
This article explores the evolution of Bitcoin through the lens of Ordinals, examines the explosive growth of BRC-20 tokens like ORDI and SATS, and highlights emerging inscription trends across other major blockchains such as Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain.
The Evolution of Bitcoin: From Digital Gold to Programmable Assets
Bitcoin’s journey began in 2008 when an individual or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin whitepaper, introducing a trustless, decentralized payment system. Key milestones followed:
- 2009: The first Bitcoin block (genesis block) was mined.
- 2010: Laszlo Hanyecz famously spent 10,000 BTC on two pizzas—the first real-world transaction using Bitcoin.
- 2017: Bitcoin Cash forked from Bitcoin to increase block size for faster transactions.
- 2021: El Salvador adopted Bitcoin as legal tender, marking a major step toward mainstream recognition.
While these events shaped Bitcoin’s adoption, its price trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. From fractions of a cent in 2010 to over $66,000 in late 2021, early adopters saw returns exceeding 22 million times their initial investment.
But beyond price speculation, a new chapter in Bitcoin’s story began in 2023 with the introduction of Ordinals—a protocol that transformed how we perceive Bitcoin’s smallest unit: the satoshi (sat).
What Are Bitcoin Ordinals?
The Ordinal theory, introduced in January 2025, assigns a unique identifier to each of the 100 million satoshis in every BTC. This numbering system enables users to track individual sats across the blockchain, giving them distinct identities.
Previously, all satoshis were fungible—interchangeable and indistinguishable. With Ordinals, developers can "inscribe" data—such as images, text, or code—onto specific sats, turning them into unique digital artifacts. This process is known as inscription, and the resulting assets are often referred to as Bitcoin NFTs.
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These inscriptions are stored directly on-chain, making them immutable and censorship-resistant. Unlike NFTs on other blockchains that rely on centralized storage (e.g., IPFS), Bitcoin inscriptions benefit from the network's unparalleled security and longevity.
Introducing BRC-20: Tokenization on Bitcoin
While Ordinals enable NFT-like assets, the BRC-20 standard brought fungible tokens to Bitcoin. Proposed by Twitter user @domodata in March 2025, BRC-20 uses JSON-formatted inscriptions to deploy, mint, and transfer tokens—all without requiring smart contracts.
This experimental standard operates similarly to Ethereum’s ERC-20, but it leverages Ordinal inscriptions instead of EVM-based code. Transactions are executed by sending specially formatted messages embedded within Bitcoin transactions.
Despite lacking native smart contract support, Bitcoin’s robustness and decentralization have made BRC-20 a surprisingly powerful innovation—sparking a wave of community-driven projects.
The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of ORDI
$ORDI, the first BRC-20 token, was deployed shortly after the standard’s launch. With a total supply of 21 million tokens, it allowed early users to mint for minimal gas fees.
Here’s a timeline of ORDI’s volatile yet remarkable journey:
- April 27: Unisat launched a BRC-20 marketplace; ORDI surged from $0.30 to $1.
- May 5: OpenSea announced support for Ordinals and BRC-20, fueling FOMO; price reached $6.
- May 8: Listed on Gate.io; price jumped from $9 to $20 within hours.
- May 9: Peaked at $28 before market saturation and exchange competition triggered a correction.
- June–September: Prolonged downtrend amid exchange issues and declining sentiment.
- November 7: Binance announced ORDI listing; price skyrocketed from $7.4 to $13.5 overnight.
- December 4: Reached an all-time high of $42—delivering an 8,400x return from initial mint cost.
From concept to cultural phenomenon, ORDI demonstrated the power of community-driven narratives in crypto.
The SATS Phenomenon: A Social Experiment Turned Success Story
Launched on March 9, 2025, $SATS aimed to inscribe one token per satoshi across 21 million blocks—a symbolic mirror of Bitcoin’s total supply. Initially dismissed due to its massive scale, SATS gained momentum through grassroots adoption.
Key milestones:
- July 10: Inscription progress passed 20%; OKX began supporting BRC-20 trading.
- August 14: Passed 50% inscription; community engagement surged.
- September 24: Completed full inscription after six months and millions in gas fees.
- October 10: Unisat adopted SATS as its primary fee token—giving it real utility.
- November 7: Binance listed ORDI; SATS followed closely behind.
- December 12: Binance announced SATS listing; price spiked from $25 to $54 pre-listing.
SATS achieved over 100x returns for early mints and became a symbol of decentralized coordination. Whale analysis revealed that seven of the top ten holders were individuals who minted early or accumulated during low-gas periods—highlighting fair distribution dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between Ordinals and BRC-20?
Ordinals refer to the method of numbering satoshis and inscribing data onto them, enabling NFT-like assets on Bitcoin. BRC-20 is a token standard built on top of Ordinals that allows for the creation of fungible tokens using JSON-based deployment and transfer logic.
Can any wallet support BRC-20 tokens?
Not all Bitcoin wallets support BRC-20. You’ll need wallets with Ordinal compatibility, such as Unisat Wallet, Xverse, or OKX Web3 Wallet, which can parse inscriptions and manage both BTC and BRC-20 balances.
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How do I mint a BRC-20 token?
To mint a BRC-20 token:
- Set up an Ordinal-compatible wallet.
- Transfer BTC to cover network fees (gas).
- Visit a BRC-20 platform like Unisat or MagicEden.
- Select the token you want to mint.
- Confirm transaction—your token will be inscribed on a satoshi.
Note: High demand can drive up gas fees significantly during peak times.
Are BRC-20 tokens secure?
Yes—but with caveats. Since they operate without smart contracts, BRC-20 relies on community consensus and client-side validation. Risks include double-spending exploits (early issue on Unisat) and reliance on centralized indexing services for balance tracking.
Why did SATS outperform many other BRC-20 tokens?
SATS benefited from strong community ownership, transparent minting patterns, increasing utility (e.g., Unisat fees), and strategic exchange listings. Its narrative as a “people’s token” resonated widely.
Is the BRC-20 bubble over?
While speculative frenzy has cooled since mid-2025, foundational developments continue. Improved tooling, broader exchange support (including OKX and Binance), and rising institutional interest suggest long-term viability beyond hype cycles.
Emerging Inscription Trends Beyond Bitcoin
The success of Ordinals has inspired similar concepts on other chains:
ETHS (Ethscriptions)
A protocol allowing users to share data directly on Ethereum Layer 1 without relying on L2s or smart contracts. ETHS achieved over 8,500x returns for early participants and has generated nearly 17,000 ETH in trading volume.
SOLS (Solana Inscriptions)
As Solana’s first inscription project, SOLS leverages SPL tokens for data embedding. Supported by core team members and listed on platforms like MagicEden and OKX Wallet, it represents a growing trend toward on-chain content permanence.
BNBS (BSC Inscriptions)
Launched in December 2025, BNBS ignited a surge in BNB Smart Chain activity. Its rapid rise caused temporary network congestion—proving demand for native asset experimentation even on EVM chains.
ASCT (Avalanche Inscriptions)
Completed full minting in just three days, ASCT aims to bring AVAX-based inscriptions into centralized exchanges via community liquidity pools. Upcoming listings on AscendEX and CoinW could boost visibility.
DOGI (Dogechain DRC-20)
Tied to the Dogecoin ecosystem, DOGI saw a 44% spike after Gate.io announced support—demonstrating how exchange momentum still drives price action in niche markets.
Final Thoughts: Why This Movement Matters
Bitcoin inscriptions represent more than just digital collectibles or speculative tokens—they signal a shift toward treating Bitcoin not only as digital gold but also as a platform for permanent, verifiable expression.
Projects like ORDI and SATS showcase what’s possible when technology meets community storytelling. Even skeptics who once said “this won’t last” now acknowledge that something fundamental has changed: Bitcoin is no longer just money—it’s culture.
As new standards emerge across Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and beyond, one truth remains: those who understand early trends often reap the greatest rewards—not because they were smarter, but because they were willing to learn.
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