Creating NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain can be complex due to limited wallet support, technical steps, and high transaction fees. As ordinal inscriptions, also known as Bitcoin NFTs, gain popularity, understanding how to create and manage them has become essential.
Learn how to create Ordinal inscriptions using no-code tools and compatible wallets to avoid common issues, such as invalid Bitcoin addresses and unnecessary fees.
Clarification:
We will use the terms’ ordinal inscriptions,’ ‘Bitcoin NFTs,’ ‘ordinals,’ ‘digital artifacts, ‘ and ‘inscriptions’ interchangeably.
Step 1: Use an ordinal-compatible bitcoin wallet
You need an ordinal address to transfer your to-be-inscribed Satoshi. You need cryptocurrency wallets to store, manage, and transact cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, since the Ordinals protocol is relatively new, only a limited number of wallets currently support it.
Our list of ordinals-compatible wallets includes no-code and code-based wallets. We recommend using a no-code wallet because they are user-friendly and don’t require programming to set up. So, without running a complete Bitcoin node/Bitcoin Core to interact with the Bitcoin chain, you can start making Bitcoin transactions right away.
1. No-code wallets
Hiro wallet
Hiro Wallet is a non-custodial, web wallet, accessible on desktop and as a browser extension. You can send/receive bitcoins. It is SegWit-native, so it processes transactions more quickly and efficiently. Lastly, it supports Taproot addresses, which are important for sending/receiving Bitcoin NFTs.
The video below demonstrates how to create ordinal inscriptions using Hiro Wallet:
Xverse wallet
Xverse is a custodial mobile/web wallet developed by the Stacks team. You can trade Bitcoin NFTs and Bitcoins on Xverse. It does support Taproot, but not SegWit.
The video below demonstrates how to create ordinal inscriptions using Xverse:
Ordinals wallet
Ordinals wallet is the newest wallet on our list, having gone live on February 16. Curated specifically for trading Bitcoins NFTs, it’s currently in beta mode. So it’s only web-based, and you can currently only receive ordinal inscriptions.
2. Code-based wallets
Sparrow wallet
The Sparrow wallet is a code-based cryptocurrency wallet that you can customize to make it suitable for trading Bitcoin NFTs. Ordinals’ creators have a step-by-step guide to setting up your Sparrow wallet to receive ordinals.
Step 2: Inscribe a Bitcoin NFT
There are currently 2 ways of creating your own ordinals:
Using a no-code inscription tool
Note: We are using Gamma’s tool to showcase how NFT enthusiasts can inscribe ordinals and create their own Bitcoin NFTs:
- Select your inscription data type (i.e., image/text). Note that the size limit for text and images is 60kb, and for GIFs, it’s 200kb.
- If it’s an image, upload it.
- If it’s a text, write it out.
- Choose a transaction fee. We uploaded a 440 kb image for reference. Higher transaction fees lead to quicker inscriptions.
- Enter the ordinal recipient address. Gamma only sends the Bitcoin NFT to a Taproot address. That’s why we’d emphasized that your BTC wallet address should support Taproot addresses.
- Pay the transaction fee with any Bitcoin wallet. We chose their “Economy” package and had to pay $16.12, or 0.00068189 BTC. To send the money to their wallet address, you can either scan the QR code or manually copy and paste the address.
- The status of your inscription/payment will be communicated to you via the email address you provided.1 If everything goes well, your Satoshi will be inscribed and sent to your wallet address.
- Please note that, depending on your fees and network congestion, it may take up to a few days for an inscription to be completed.
Use Ordinals Bot
Ordinals Bot was created by Satoshibles, who refer to themselves as creators of “NFT for Bitcoin enthusiasts.”
On Ordinals Bot, you can only make image inscriptions, as opposed to Gamma, where you can inscribe a text or an image. Another difference: Gamma asks for a wallet address immediately. With Ordinals Bot, you could add the address after your inscriptions are created.
UI-wise, both platforms look similar. Their no-code/low-code interface pushes all the programming duty to the back end and only leaves you pressing buttons. Interactive-wise, the only difference between the two platforms is that you can go through all the steps on Ordinals Bot on a single page, whereas Gamma breaks it into separate screens.
The main difference is pricing. Ordinals Bot is more expensive. Their quote for the same 440kb image we uploaded on Gamma was $42.36 as opposed to Gamma’s $16.12.
While most no-code platforms inscribe files fully on-chain, there is growing adoption of off-chain storage with on-chain hashes:
Notes: You can now upload media files to IPFS or Arweave, and then inscribe a content hash or metadata pointer on Bitcoin. This reduces fees but sacrifices the permanence and decentralization guarantees of fully on-chain data.
Platforms like Gamma and OrdinalsBot are beginning to support both formats for advanced users.
Wallets & tools in the Ordinals ecosystem
The Ordinals ecosystem has rapidly matured, with several new wallets and tools emerging since early 2025, making inscription management easier and more accessible.
UniSat Wallet
A browser-based Bitcoin wallet built specifically for Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens. It offers inscription, token minting, and marketplace access.
Xverse Wallet enhancements
Xverse now includes Taproot-native inscription support and streamlined file uploads. Users can inscribe NFTs, manage BRC-20 tokens, and explore Ordinal content.
Gamma Wallet
An evolution of Gamma.io’s no-code platform, Gamma Wallet enables you to create, hold, and transfer assets while interacting with its marketplace and creator tools.
Mobile-First Wallets
New wallets, such as Leather and updated versions of Hiro, now emphasize mobile experience, offering QR-based transfers, push notifications, and gas estimation.
These wallets significantly reduce the need for manual setups like running Bitcoin Core or using Sparrow.
Token standards & ecosystem features
Ordinal inscriptions have expanded beyond simple image or text files. The protocol now supports:
BRC-20 & BRC-420 Tokens
- BRC-20: A fungible token standard inscribed on Bitcoin via JSON text and used for meme coins like ORDI.
- BRC-420: Focuses on composable assets (e.g., modular avatars, animations).
- ARC-20: Developed for compatibility with the Atomicals protocol and recursive scripts.
Tools like UniSat and Ordi.io support the creation and trading of these tokens.
Cursed inscriptions
These are inscriptions made outside standard formats or before Ordinals’ indexing rules were finalized. They are indexed using negative numbers and can be “blessed” later.
Envelopes & metadata layers
Developers can now use inscription “wrappers” to add metadata, collection tags, or upgrade logic. Platforms like OrdHub index these relationships to allow discoverability and provenance tracking.2
FAQ
What are ordinal inscriptions?
Ordinal inscriptions are pieces of data, such as images, text, or files, written directly onto individual satoshis, the smallest unit of Bitcoin.
This process creates unique digital artifacts stored permanently on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Each Satoshi gets a unique number using a numbering scheme through the ordinals protocol, allowing it to carry a specific inscription.
Why did ordinals emerge?
Introduced in early 2023 by Casey Rodarmor, the Ordinals protocol enabled data to be embedded on Bitcoin in a way that was previously impossible.
It gained traction quickly among NFT enthusiasts because it brought NFT-like capabilities to the Bitcoin network, creating a new category of on-chain digital assets.
Can I inscribe videos, audio, or 3D files?
Yes. Tools like Ordhooks and Inscriber allow you to break files into parts or compress them. Just note the increased transaction size and fee implications.
What’s the difference between BRC-20 and BRC-420?
BRC-20 is a simple fungible token using JSON inscriptions.
BRC-420 is a modular asset, similar to wearables, avatars, or scripts, for interactive NFTs.
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