The BRC-20 token standard has quickly become one of the most talked-about innovations in the blockchain space, leveraging Bitcoin’s Ordinals protocol to enable fungible tokens directly on the BTC chain. As interest grows, so do the questions around minting, trading, and managing these unique digital assets. Whether you're a beginner exploring your first inscription or an experienced user troubleshooting transaction delays, this comprehensive guide addresses the most common concerns with clear, actionable insights.
How to Mint BRC-20 Tokens
Minting, or inscribing, a BRC-20 token involves embedding specific data onto the Bitcoin blockchain using the Ordinals protocol. This process creates a unique digital footprint that represents your token. While it may sound complex, modern wallet interfaces have simplified the workflow significantly.
To begin minting:
- Open your Wallet, navigate to Market > Ordinals, then select Inscription Center.
- Choose the desired Network for inscription—ensure it supports BRC-20 and Ordinals.
- Select Individual if minting a single entry, or Batch for multiple inscriptions at once.
- In the Text Mode field, input your transaction data. Note: "data:" is pre-filled by the system, so only include the actual payload (e.g.,
{"p":"brc-20","op":"deploy","tick":"test","max":"21000000","lim":"1000"}). - Set your preferred frequency under Repeat Transactions if batching.
- Click Confirm to initiate the inscription.
👉 Discover how to securely mint and manage BRC-20 tokens today.
Important: The number of data entries corresponds directly to the number of required signatures—and thus gas fees. Always double-check inputs before confirming.
Once submitted, your transaction enters the Bitcoin mempool, awaiting block confirmation.
Why Is My BRC-20 Transaction Not Confirming?
Transaction delays are among the most frequent issues users face when interacting with BRC-20 tokens. Unlike faster Layer 2 networks, BRC-20 operations run directly on the Bitcoin mainnet, which has limited throughput—typically processing 7 transactions per second.
During periods of high network activity, congestion can cause significant delays. A BRC-20 mint or transfer might take anywhere from several hours to up to 48 hours to confirm, depending on current block space demand.
Here’s what you can do:
- Check the mempool status: Use a blockchain explorer to monitor your transaction ID.
- Review your gas fee: If set too low, miners may prioritize higher-paying transactions.
- Wait patiently: Most stuck transactions eventually clear as blocks are mined.
If confirmation is taking longer than expected, avoid resubmitting unless you're certain the original transaction has failed.
What Causes a Failed BRC-20 Mint?
Even with careful preparation, BRC-20 inscription attempts can fail. Understanding why helps prevent future issues and unnecessary gas loss.
Common reasons include:
- Insufficient gas fees: Low fees result in poor miner priority; during congestion, these transactions may drop from the mempool.
- Network congestion: High traffic increases competition for block space.
- Pending blockchain confirmation: The interface may show “creation complete,” but the transaction remains unconfirmed on-chain.
⚠️ Critical Note: If an inscription fails, the gas fee is non-refundable. It is paid to miners for computational work and cannot be recovered.
Always verify network conditions and adjust fees accordingly before initiating any mint.
Managing UTXOs: Unlocking and Preserving Assets
Bitcoin operates on an Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) model, which differs from account-based systems like Ethereum. When dealing with BRC-20 tokens and Ordinals, UTXO management becomes crucial.
How to Unlock UTXO
To unlock UTXOs:
- Go to Wallet > BTC > UTXO.
- Select the specific UTXO(s) you wish to unlock.
- Tap Unlock UTXO.
You can select all available UTXOs if needed.
👉 Learn how to optimize UTXO management for smoother BRC-20 transactions.
Key Precautions When Unlocking UTXOs
- Avoid unlocking UTXOs tied to active inscriptions or NFTs, as this may lead to irreversible loss of associated digital assets.
- After unlocking, assets appear under the Unlocked tab.
If you accidentally unlock a UTXO linked to a valid NFT or inscription, use the Restore function immediately.
- Restored assets can only be used for operational costs (e.g., future fees), not for new inscriptions.
- Importantly, restoration does not affect existing inscriptions tied to your wallet address.
Proper UTXO handling ensures both security and flexibility in managing your Bitcoin-based digital collectibles.
Buying and Selling BRC-20 Tokens
Trading BRC-20 tokens follows a similar flow to other cryptocurrencies but requires compatible platforms that support Ordinals and inscription-aware wallets.
To trade effectively:
- Use exchanges or peer-to-peer marketplaces that list BRC-20 tokens.
- Ensure your wallet supports receiving and displaying inscribed assets correctly.
- Verify ticker symbols carefully—many BRC-20 tokens share names with established projects.
Always conduct due diligence before purchasing any token, especially those without audited contracts or clear deployment records.
What If I Don’t Have Enough BTC?
BTC is required not just for purchasing BRC-20 tokens but also for paying gas fees during minting and transfers. Without sufficient BTC balance:
- Inscriptions will fail.
- Transactions will remain unconfirmed or dropped.
If you're short on funds:
- Deposit more BTC into your wallet from another source.
- Use a swap service within your wallet (if supported) to convert other assets to BTC.
- Consider consolidating smaller UTXOs to reduce future fee costs.
👉 Find out how to get started with minimal BTC while maximizing your trading potential.
Core Keywords
- BRC-20
- Bitcoin Ordinals
- Mint BRC-20
- Inscription guide
- UTXO management
- BRC-20 trading
- Blockchain confirmation
- Gas fee optimization
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I recover BTC if my BRC-20 inscription fails?
A: No. The gas fee is paid to miners and is non-refundable, even if the inscription fails due to network issues or incorrect parameters.
Q: How long does it take to mint a BRC-20 token?
A: Minting time depends on network congestion. While the process starts instantly, confirmation typically takes 1–48 hours based on current block traffic.
Q: Is there a way to speed up a pending BRC-20 transaction?
A: Yes. Some wallets offer Replace-by-Fee (RBF) or Child-Pays-for-Parent (CPFP) options to accelerate confirmation by increasing fees.
Q: Do I need a special wallet for BRC-20 tokens?
A: Yes. Standard Bitcoin wallets may not recognize inscriptions. Use wallets explicitly supporting Bitcoin Ordinals and BRC-20 standards.
Q: Can I trade BRC-20 tokens on decentralized exchanges?
A: Currently, most BRC-20 trading occurs via specialized marketplaces or peer-to-peer platforms, as traditional DEXs don’t natively support Bitcoin-based inscriptions.
Q: Are BRC-20 tokens ERC-20 compatible?
A: No. BRC-20 runs on Bitcoin via Ordinals; ERC-20 operates on Ethereum. They are technically different and not interoperable without bridging solutions.