The rise of Bitcoin-based tokens like BRC20 has brought new life to the Bitcoin ecosystem, and Unisat Wallet has emerged as a leading platform enabling users to interact with Ordinals, BRC20 tokens, and decentralized trading. Whether you're new to Bitcoin layer-2 innovations or looking to deepen your understanding of BRC20 operations, this comprehensive guide walks you through everything from wallet setup to minting, trading, and future swap functionality—all while optimizing for security, efficiency, and ease of use.
👉 Discover how to securely manage BRC20 tokens and explore Bitcoin’s evolving ecosystem today.
What Is Unisat?
Unisat is a specialized service provider focused on the Bitcoin network, particularly supporting the Ordinals protocol and the growing BRC20 token standard. Initially gaining traction through its NFT and data inscription services, Unisat evolved into a full-fledged ecosystem that includes a browser wallet, marketplace, and tools for creating and managing digital assets on Bitcoin.
Because the Ordinals protocol requires complex on-chain data embedding (called "inscriptions"), early adoption was limited by technical barriers. Unisat lowered these hurdles by offering intuitive tools for minting NFTs, text, images, domains, and eventually BRC20 fungible tokens—all directly on Bitcoin’s blockchain.
As interest in BRC20 surged in 2025, Unisat expanded its offerings with Unisat Wallet and the BRC20 Marketplace, filling a critical gap at a time when few wallets supported BRC20 assets. This first-mover advantage helped accelerate the growth of the entire BRC20 ecosystem.
Notably, in May 2025, Unisat announced an official collaboration with OKX, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, to jointly promote BRC20 adoption and infrastructure development—a testament to its pivotal role in shaping Bitcoin’s next evolution.
How to Set Up Unisat Wallet
Getting started with Unisat begins with installing the browser extension wallet, currently available for Google Chrome.
- Visit the Chrome Web Store and install Unisat Wallet.
- Once installed, click “Create New Wallet.”
- Set a secure password—this protects access to your wallet within the browser.
- You'll then be shown a 12-word recovery phrase (mnemonic). This is the only way to recover your wallet if you lose access. Write it down and store it securely offline—never share it or save it digitally.
- Choose the Taproot (P2TR) address format during setup. This is the recommended option for compatibility with BRC20 and Ordinals inscriptions.
- Confirm your recovery phrase to complete setup.
After creation, you can copy your wallet address and begin transferring BTC to it. Note: Only send BTC from other Taproot-compatible wallets or exchanges to ensure smooth transactions.
Ensure your funds are confirmed before proceeding to mint or trade BRC20 tokens.
👉 Learn how to safely back up your wallet and protect your digital assets long-term.
How to Mint BRC20 Tokens Using Unisat
BRC20 tokens operate through JSON-based inscriptions on the Bitcoin blockchain. Unisat simplifies the process of deploying and minting these tokens via its integrated tools.
Step 1: Access the BRC20 Section
Open the Unisat Wallet interface and navigate to the BRC-20 tab. Here, you can search for existing tokens by name (limited to four characters, e.g., ORDI, SATS, DOGE).
You’ll encounter two scenarios:
Case 1: Token Already Deployed (But Not Fully Minted)
If the token exists but hasn’t reached its total supply, you can participate in the minting process.
For example:
- Search for
doge - If only 0.03% has been minted, click Mint Directly
Follow these steps:
- Select Mint as the action
- Enter the ticker (e.g.,
doge) - Leave Amount at default (do not modify)
- Set Repeat Mint to your desired count (e.g., 10 for ten inscriptions)
- Click Next
You’ll then be prompted to:
- Connect your Unisat Wallet (address auto-fills)
- Choose a fee rate in sats/vB based on current Bitcoin mempool congestion
⚠️ Pro Tip: Use mempool.space to check real-time BTC transaction fees. Setting too low a fee may delay confirmation for hours—or even days—due to slow block times.
Once confirmed, your BRC20 tokens will appear in your wallet under the BRC-20 balance section.
Case 2: Token Not Yet Deployed
If no one has deployed the token yet, you can be the first to launch it.
Go to the Inscribe page and select:
- Action: Deploy
- Tick: Your chosen 4-character ticker
- Total Supply: Maximum number of tokens (e.g., 21,000,000)
- Limit Per Mint: How many can be minted per transaction (e.g., 1,000)
Be cautious: A high total supply with a low per-mint limit means thousands of transactions are needed to fully mint all tokens—driving up cumulative fees significantly.
After deployment, others can begin minting your token.
How to Buy and Sell BRC20 Tokens on Unisat Marketplace
Once tokens are inscribed, they can be traded peer-to-peer via the Unisat Marketplace.
Buying BRC20 Tokens
- Open the Marketplace tab
- Search for the desired BRC20 token (e.g.,
ORDI) - Browse listed offers and select one
- Connect your wallet
- Confirm the purchase
Transaction fees in sats apply, and settlement occurs directly on Bitcoin’s blockchain.
Selling BRC20 Tokens
To list your holdings:
- Go to My BRC-20
- Find the token you want to sell
- Click List
- You must first inscribe a TRANSFER inscription—a unique requirement of BRC20
This process creates an on-chain record authorizing movement of your tokens. After successful inscription:
- Set your price
- Confirm listing
Your token will now appear in the marketplace until sold.
Understanding BRC20 Swap: The Future of Decentralized Trading
While still in early testing phases in 2025, BRC20 Swap represents a major leap forward for decentralized exchange on Bitcoin.
Built atop the BRC-20 protocol, this module enables:
- Direct token-to-token swaps
- Liquidity provision
- Earning fees from trades (similar to Ethereum’s Uniswap)
Unlike traditional DEXs, BRC20 Swap relies on inscription-based mechanics. Every trade requires a prior TRANSFER inscription, ensuring all movements are permanently recorded on Bitcoin’s ledger.
Currently, access is limited to early adopters and testers. A public launch date has not been announced, but integration with Unisat Wallet suggests broad availability is expected later in 2025.
The native utility token for gas and fees within BRC20 Swap is expected to be a sats-denominated asset, aligning with Bitcoin’s microtransaction culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Unisat Wallet safe to use?
A: Yes, when used correctly. Unisat is non-custodial—only you control your private keys. Always safeguard your recovery phrase and download the extension only from official sources like the Chrome Web Store.
Q: Can I use Unisat Wallet on mobile?
A: As of 2025, Unisat primarily supports desktop via browser extension. Mobile support may come in future updates.
Q: Why does BRC20 require an inscription to transfer?
A: Because BRC20 operates through ordinal inscriptions rather than smart contracts, each transfer must be individually recorded as a new inscription—this ensures verifiable ownership history on-chain.
Q: Are there gas fees when using Unisat?
A: Yes. All actions—minting, transferring, listing—require Bitcoin transaction fees paid in sats. Fees vary based on network congestion.
Q: Can I earn rewards or receive an airdrop from Unisat?
A: While not officially confirmed, active participation (minting, trading) may contribute to potential future reward programs or airdrops within the Ordinals ecosystem.
Q: Does Unisat support non-BRC20 NFTs?
A: Yes. Unisat also supports general Ordinals inscriptions including images, videos, text files, and domain names.
Final Thoughts
Unisat has played a foundational role in democratizing access to Bitcoin’s expanding digital asset landscape. From being one of the first platforms to support BRC20 minting and trading, to pioneering tools like the upcoming BRC20 Swap, it continues to drive innovation on a historically conservative blockchain.
By combining user-friendly interfaces with deep technical capabilities, Unisat empowers both newcomers and advanced users to explore what’s possible when data meets decentralization on Bitcoin.
Whether you're minting your first BRC20 token or preparing for decentralized swaps, now is the time to get involved—especially during periods of low network fees.