What Are Inscriptions?
Inscriptions integrate various forms of information—such as text, images, videos, or smart contracts—into Bitcoin's smallest unit, the "Satoshi" (sat). Inspired by the Bitcoin Ordinals protocol, inscriptions have evolved into diverse standards tailored to specific blockchains. Examples include:
- Ethscription (Ethereum)
- SPL-20 (Solana)
- APT20 (Aptos)
These standards highlight inscriptions as a universal language for digital ownership, fostering innovation and interoperability across blockchain networks.
Supported Inscription Ecosystems
🛠️ Creation
Currently Live:
- Bitcoin Inscriptions
- Ethereum Inscriptions
- Polygon Inscriptions
- 20+ other networks
📦 Asset Management
Currently Live:
- Ordinals (BRC-20 & NFT collections)
- Stamps (SRC-20)
- Ethscriptions (ETHS)
Coming Soon:
- Atomicals (ARC-20)
- Doginals (DRC-20)
- Runes
- Rune Alpha
🔄 Trading
Currently Live:
- Ordinals (BRC-20)
- Solana Inscriptions (SPL-20)
- Aptos Inscriptions (APT-20)
- Ethscriptions (ETHS)
Coming Soon:
- Atomicals (ARC-20)
- Doginals (DRC-20)
- Runes
Key Inscription Protocols Explained
1️⃣ Ordinals (BRC-20)
- Launched: December 2022 by Casey Rodarmor.
- Function: Assigns unique serial numbers to Sats (sats), enabling NFT-like properties by attaching data (images, text, etc.) to Bitcoin transactions.
👉 Explore BRC-20 token mechanics
2️⃣ BRC-20 Standard
- Launched: March 8, 2023, by developer domodata.
- Function: Extends Ordinals to support token deployment/minting via JSON-formatted inscriptions.
3️⃣ Atomicals (ARC-20)
- Launched: September 17, 2023, by an anonymous developer.
- Key Feature: Uses Proof-of-Work (POW) for fair asset minting, addressing Ordinals’ limitations.
👉 Learn about ARC-20’s UTXO-based design
4️⃣ Doginals (DRC-20)
- Progress: Enhances Dogecoin’s utility by enabling fungible tokens (similar to BRC-20).
5️⃣ Stamps (SRC-20)
- Feature: Permanently stores image data on Bitcoin via Counterparty protocol.
6️⃣ Runes Protocol
- Launched: September 26, 2023, by Casey Rodarmor as a BRC-20 alternative.
- Advantage: UTXO-based design enables integration with Lightning Network/RGB.
FAQs
❓ What’s the difference between Ordinals and BRC-20?
Ordinals enable NFT-like properties for Sats, while BRC-20 standardizes token creation via inscriptions.
❓ Why choose Atomicals over Ordinals?
Atomicals offer POW-based fairness and broader asset functionalities.
❓ Are inscriptions stored forever on-chain?
Yes—protocols like Stamps ensure permanent data storage.
❓ How do Runes improve scalability?
Their UTXO model supports Lightning Network integration.
Final Thoughts
OKX’s inscription ecosystem bridges cross-chain interoperability with robust protocols. Whether trading BRC-20 tokens or exploring ARC-20’s POW minting, the future of digital ownership is here.