The world of blockchain innovation continues to evolve, and one of the most exciting developments in recent years is the rise of inscriptions—a groundbreaking technology that enables users to embed digital assets directly onto the Bitcoin blockchain. No longer limited to simple value transfers, Bitcoin now supports tokenization and NFT-like creations through the Ordinals protocol, giving birth to a new wave of on-chain creativity.
Binance, a global leader in cryptocurrency exchange services, has officially entered this space with its Web3 Wallet, now featuring a dedicated Inscriptions Market. This new functionality allows users to seamlessly trade and mint both BRC-20 tokens on Bitcoin and EVM-compatible tokens across multiple chains—all within a single, user-friendly interface.
This integration marks a significant milestone, signaling strong institutional support for the inscriptions ecosystem. As more users explore this emerging trend, Binance’s move could serve as a catalyst for broader adoption, potentially fueling the next bull cycle in crypto.
What Are Inscriptions? And What Does “Minting Inscriptions” Mean?
In the context of blockchain, inscriptions refer to digital assets created by embedding data—such as text, images, or code—directly into individual satoshis (the smallest unit of Bitcoin). Unlike traditional tokens that rely on smart contracts, these assets are permanently recorded on the Bitcoin ledger through a process known as inscription.
So when people say “minting inscriptions” or “minting a BRC-20 token,” they’re referring to the act of inscribing specific data onto a satoshi using the Ordinals protocol. Think of it like engraving a message onto a gold coin: while the coin itself retains its base value, the engraving adds unique, collectible, or functional significance.
👉 Discover how easy it is to start minting and trading inscriptions today.
Developed by software engineer Casey Rodarmor in January 2023, the Ordinals protocol assigns a unique serial number to each satoshi based on its mining order. This allows users to attach up to 4 MB of arbitrary data—like JSON files, images, or even simple games—directly onto a satoshi. The result? Native Bitcoin-based NFTs and fungible tokens without requiring sidechains or bridges.
For example:
- A batch-inscribed set of identical tokens represents a fungible token (FT) — similar to traditional cryptocurrencies.
- A one-of-a-kind artwork inscribed with metadata becomes a non-fungible token (NFT) — akin to digital collectibles.
This distinction mirrors familiar Ethereum standards:
- BRC-20 ≈ ERC-20: Fungible tokens designed for interchangeable use.
- Bitcoin NFTs via Ordinals ≈ ERC-721: Unique, non-interchangeable digital assets.
Understanding this parallel helps bridge the gap between Ethereum’s established ecosystem and Bitcoin’s expanding utility.
BRC-20 Tokens: Fungible Tokens on Bitcoin
Launched in March 2023 by X user @domo, BRC-20 is a token standard built atop the Ordinals protocol. It uses JSON-formatted inscriptions to define token properties such as ticker symbol (tick), maximum supply (max), and per-wallet limits (lim).
Unlike ERC-20 tokens, which rely on smart contracts, BRC-20 tokens are deployed and transferred via sequential inscriptions—making them fully native to Bitcoin but also more experimental in nature.
Popular early examples include:
- ORDI: A namesake token not to be confused with the Ordinals protocol.
- SATS: A token symbol distinct from the general term satoshis.
While BRC-20 lacks native support for complex logic (like staking or governance), its simplicity and accessibility have driven widespread experimentation. Thousands of BRC-20 tokens have been deployed, creating new opportunities for creators, traders, and collectors alike.
Inscriptions on EVM-Compatible Chains
While Bitcoin inscriptions leverage Ordinals, other blockchains have adopted similar concepts under different implementations. On EVM-compatible chains, developers are now embedding data directly into transaction input fields rather than relying solely on smart contracts.
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is a runtime environment that executes smart contracts across Ethereum and compatible networks like BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche. When a chain is “EVM-compatible,” it can run Ethereum-based code without modification—enabling seamless dApp portability.
By inscribing data directly into transaction calldata, projects reduce reliance on contract storage, lowering costs and increasing censorship resistance. Though technically distinct from Bitcoin inscriptions, the concept shares philosophical alignment: maximizing on-chain presence and decentralization.
This cross-chain expansion has sparked surging interest—and congestion. During peak activity, gas fees spiked dramatically as users raced to mint new inscriptions using bots ("inscribers") and third-party services.
How to Use the Binance Inscriptions Market
Accessing the Binance Inscriptions Market is straightforward through the Binance App. Here's how:
- Open the Binance App and log in.
- Tap "Funds" at the bottom right.
- Select the "Web3 Wallet" tab.
- Click "Explore" in the lower-right corner.
- Tap the "Inscriptions Market" banner to enter.
Once inside, you’ll see two main tabs:
🔹 BRC-20 Marketplace
Browse and interact with Bitcoin-based inscriptions:
- Search: Find tokens by name or ticker.
- Favorites: View tokens you’ve bookmarked.
- Trending: Discover high-volume trading pairs.
- Minting Now: See live inscription events with progress bars showing completion status.
🔹 EVM Marketplace
Access 19 decentralized applications (DApps) across various EVM-compatible chains for trading and minting inscriptions beyond Bitcoin.
Binance does not host these DApps but provides curated access points. For detailed guidance, refer to official resources:
👉 Start exploring live inscription drops and trending BRC-20 projects now.
Why Binance’s Entry Matters
When major platforms like Binance embrace emerging trends, it signals growing legitimacy. Despite initial skepticism from Bitcoin purists—who argue that inscriptions bloat the blockchain—the technology has proven resilient and popular.
By integrating inscriptions into its Web3 Wallet, Binance offers:
- Simplified user experience for beginners.
- Secure custody solutions backed by institutional infrastructure.
- Cross-chain accessibility between Bitcoin and EVM ecosystems.
This move follows similar launches by other top exchanges, suggesting that inscriptions are no longer a fringe experiment but a core part of the evolving digital asset landscape.
As adoption grows, we may see new use cases emerge—such as identity verification, certificate issuance, or decentralized content archiving—all anchored directly on public blockchains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I store BRC-20 tokens in any wallet?
A: Not all wallets support BRC-20 tokens. You need an Ordinals-compatible wallet like Binance Web3 Wallet, Unisat Wallet, or Xverse to manage them properly.
Q: Are BRC-20 tokens ERC-20 compatible?
A: No. BRC-20 operates independently of Ethereum’s ERC-20 standard. They function natively on Bitcoin via inscriptions and cannot be used directly in Ethereum dApps.
Q: Is minting inscriptions expensive?
A: Costs depend on network congestion and inscription size. Larger files require higher fees due to block space demand. Always check current sat/vB rates before inscribing.
Q: Can I trade BRC-20 tokens on centralized exchanges?
A: Yes. Some major exchanges—including Binance—now list popular BRC-20 tokens like ORDI for trading.
Q: Do EVM inscriptions work like NFTs?
A: While conceptually similar, EVM inscriptions often serve utility purposes (e.g., proof-of-creation) rather than visual collectibility. However, some projects combine both aesthetics and functionality.
Q: Is the Binance Inscriptions Market available globally?
A: Availability may vary by region due to regulatory considerations. Check your local access within the app.
Final Thoughts: Institutional Backing Fuels Innovation
From its controversial beginnings to mainstream exchange integration, the inscriptions movement has come a long way in just over a year. What started as a niche experiment has evolved into a multi-chain phenomenon with real trading volume, developer activity, and community engagement.
Binance’s launch of the Inscriptions Market represents more than just a feature update—it’s a vote of confidence in the future of decentralized digital ownership. With powerful players now endorsing the space, inscriptions could very well become a foundational layer in the next era of web3 innovation.
Whether you're a collector, trader, or builder, now is an ideal time to explore what’s possible at the intersection of Bitcoin’s security and modern tokenization techniques.
👉 Join the next wave of on-chain innovation—start your journey with ease and confidence.