What Is SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) and How Does It Work?
SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) is a BRC-20 token created on the
Bitcoin blockchain using the Ordinals protocol. It is inspired by
satoshis, the smallest unit of Bitcoin, but SATS is not the same as BTC satoshis. Instead, it is a fungible token issued via Bitcoin inscriptions, designed to represent value and culture within the growing Bitcoin Ordinals ecosystem.
SATS works through the BRC-20 standard, which enables token creation and transfers on Bitcoin without smart contracts. Each SATS token action, deploying, minting, or transferring, is recorded as an inscription on the Bitcoin blockchain. This makes SATS fully secured by Bitcoin’s base layer, but also means transactions depend on Bitcoin block space and fees, rather than fast, low-cost smart-contract execution.
With an intentionally massive supply that mirrors Bitcoin’s satoshi narrative, SATS has become one of the most recognized assets in the Ordinals ecosystem. It is primarily used for trading, speculation, and ecosystem participation rather than DeFi utilities like staking or governance. Today, SATS acts as a liquidity and benchmark token for Bitcoin Ordinals, reflecting market interest in Bitcoin-native tokens beyond
BTC itself.
How Is Bitcoin's BRC-20 Different From Ethereum's ERC-20 Standard?
Bitcoin’s BRC-20 standard and Ethereum’s ERC-20 standard differ fundamentally in how tokens are created and managed. BRC-20 uses the Ordinals protocol to inscribe token data directly onto the Bitcoin blockchain, without smart contracts. Token actions such as minting and transfers are recorded through inscriptions, meaning BRC-20 tokens inherit Bitcoin’s base-layer security but rely on off-chain indexers to track balances and state.
In contrast, ERC-20 tokens are powered by
Ethereum smart contracts. These contracts handle balances, transfers, approvals, and advanced logic
on-chain, enabling DeFi, staking, governance, and composability with other applications. As a result, ERC-20 tokens support far more complex functionality, while BRC-20 tokens prioritize simplicity, immutability, and Bitcoin-native issuance, often trading flexibility and speed for security and minimalism.
When Did SATS (Ordinals) Launch?
SATS (Ordinals) is a Bitcoin-native BRC-20 token that launched in March 2023 as part of the wave of fungible tokens created using the Ordinals protocol and Bitcoin’s Taproot upgrade. It was deployed on March 9, 2023, and its minting process ran through September 24, 2023, culminating in its full supply of 2.1 quadrillion tokens.
The token pays homage to satoshis, the smallest units of Bitcoin, and was created by an anonymous team building on the experimental BRC-20 standard first introduced by a pseudonymous developer named Domo. SATS quickly gained popularity within the Ordinals ecosystem and later began listing on major exchanges in late 2023, increasing its accessibility to traders and communities.
SATS (Ordinals) Roadmap Highlights
• March 9, 2023 — SATS BRC-20 token deployed on Bitcoin.
• March–September 2023 — Phased minting completed, reaching total supply.
• Late 2023 — First major exchange listings expanded liquidity and market access.
• 2024–2025 — Continued integration with Bitcoin Ordinals tools and wallets as BRC-20 ecosystem matured.
• Ongoing — SATS adoption and use cases progress alongside broader Ordinals/BRC-20 tech improvements.
What Is the SATS Token Used for?
SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) is primarily used as a Bitcoin-native fungible token within the Ordinals and BRC-20 ecosystem. Its main use cases center on trading, liquidity, and price discovery for Bitcoin-based tokens, rather than smart-contract utilities like staking or governance. With its massive supply modeled on Bitcoin’s satoshi concept, SATS has become a benchmark and liquidity token for traders gaining exposure to the growth of Bitcoin Ordinals.
You can trade SATS tokens on the
BingX spot market by selecting the available
SATS/USDT trading pair and placing a
market or limit order. BingX allows you to buy and sell SATS directly using
USDT, offering a simple way to access Bitcoin Ordinals tokens without managing on-chain BRC-20 transfers.
What Is Ordinals SATS Tokenomics?
SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) uses a fixed-supply, no-inflation token model that mirrors Bitcoin’s satoshi concept rather than traditional DeFi economics. It has a maximum supply of 2.1 quadrillion tokens, all of which were fully minted during the original BRC-20 mint phase, leaving the circulating supply near 100%. Built as a BRC-20 token on the Bitcoin network via the Ordinals protocol, SATS has no
staking rewards, emissions, vesting schedules, or future unlocks. Its value is driven primarily by trading activity, liquidity, and price discovery tied to Bitcoin Ordinals adoption and broader Bitcoin market sentiment.
Because all SATS tokens were minted early and there are no future unlocks or inflation, supply-side risk is largely transparent. Price movements are driven mainly by market demand, Bitcoin Ordinals activity, liquidity conditions, and broader Bitcoin sentiment, rather than token emissions or governance changes.
What Blockchain Does SATS (Ordinals) Operate on?
SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) operates directly on the Bitcoin blockchain, using the Ordinals protocol and the BRC-20 token standard. Instead of smart contracts, SATS transactions are recorded as inscriptions on Bitcoin’s base layer, inheriting Bitcoin’s security and immutability. This makes SATS a fully Bitcoin-native token, with transfers and balances tracked through Ordinals indexers rather than on-chain programmable logic.
How to Store SATS Tokens Securely
One of the simplest and most secure ways to store SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) is by holding your tokens directly on BingX after purchasing them on the spot market. Storing SATS on BingX removes the need to manage Bitcoin inscriptions, Ordinals-compatible wallets, or network-specific transfer settings, while giving you fast access to trading, liquidity, and account-level security features such as multi-layer risk controls.
For users who prefer self-custody, SATS can also be stored in
Bitcoin wallets that support Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens, such as Ordinals-compatible browser or
hardware wallets. When using
self-custody, you must ensure the wallet fully supports BRC-20 balances and that transfers are made using the correct Bitcoin network format, as incorrect handling can result in delayed or lost transactions.
Is SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) a Good Investment?
SATS (Ordinals) (SATS) stands out as a compelling investment for traders seeking exposure to Bitcoin-native tokenization beyond BTC itself. With a fixed, fully minted supply and no inflation or unlock risk, SATS offers transparent token economics, while its strong cultural link to Bitcoin’s satoshi narrative has helped it become a benchmark asset within the Ordinals ecosystem. As Bitcoin Ordinals adoption grows and on-chain activity expands beyond NFTs into fungible tokens, SATS benefits from increased liquidity, visibility, and speculative demand tied closely to Bitcoin market cycles, making it attractive for investors who understand both the upside potential and volatility of emerging Bitcoin-based assets.