In early 2023, the Bitcoin ecosystem experienced a breakthrough with the introduction of the BRC-20 token standard. While most tokens are built on Ethereum or Layer 2 chains, BRC-20 brought fungible token capability directly to the Bitcoin blockchain. Leading that wave was ORDI Coin – the first BRC-20 token ever created, and also the first of its kind to be listed on Binance.
So, what exactly is ORDI Coin? How does it work? And what makes it special in the context of Bitcoin and BRC-20? In this article, Gate walks you through the fundamentals of ordi coin, including its origin, use case, and value in the broader crypto ecosystem.
ORDI Coin is a BRC-20 token, meaning it’s created using the Ordinals protocol on the Bitcoin blockchain. Unlike ERC-20 or BEP-20 tokens, BRC-20 tokens don’t use smart contracts. Instead, they rely on in_script_ions — a method of embedding JSON data into individual satoshis (the smallest unit of BTC).
ORDI was the very first token minted using this standard, making it a symbolic and historic project in the Bitcoin builder community.
Key characteristics of ORDI Coin:
The BRC-20 standard is experimental and was designed to test whether fungible tokens could exist on Bitcoin without smart contract functionality. Unlike Ethereum, Bitcoin doesn’t natively support complex token logic, which makes BRC-20 a workaround innovation.
ORDI stands out for several reasons:
Feature | De_script_ion |
---|---|
Blockchain | Bitcoin (via Ordinals protocol) |
Standard | BRC-20 |
Supply Cap | 21 million tokens |
Launch Method | Minted through Ordinals in_script_ion |
Utility | Mainly speculative, meme + collectible value |
While ORDI currently doesn’t have deep utility, its symbolic value and status as a “first” give it strong market appeal among degens, collectors, and speculators.
Since ORDI’s creation, the BRC-20 narrative has gained traction as a new frontier for Bitcoin-native applications. Many new BRC-20 tokens have followed, but ORDI remains the most iconic due to:
ORDI is now often referred to as “the DOGE of BRC-20”, setting a foundation for future Bitcoin-based token ecosystems.
When Binance listed ORDI, it became a turning point for BRC-20 acceptance. It validated the idea that non-EVM tokens built on Bitcoin could have mainstream potential.
Impact of Binance listing:
Although Binance made headlines, Gate was among the first centralized exchanges to support BRC-20 tokens like ORDI. On Gate, you can:
As a platform that embraces emerging ecosystems, Gate actively supports innovation on Bitcoin and beyond.
ORDI Coin is more than just a meme token — it represents the beginning of a new phase for Bitcoin, where fungible tokens can live on-chain without needing Ethereum or smart contracts.
Whether you’re a collector, early adopter, or simply curious about BRC-20, ORDI remains a landmark token with historical significance and market potential.
Explore ORDI and other cutting-edge tokens on Gate, where trends meet real-time trading and early access is always one step ahead.