Inside BRC20: Creator Domo on Protocol's Birth and Bitcoin's New Chapter

Domo, the creator of the BRC20 protocol, recently shared insights into his journey from Ethereum to the Bitcoin ecosystem in an interview with Isabel Foxen Duke. In the interview, Domo shed light on the origins, evolution, and future vision of BRC20. Below are the key highlights from the interview:

Initially focused on Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem, Domo’s attention shifted to Bitcoin with the emergence of the Ordinals protocol in early 2023. Inspired by Ordinals and Bitcoin NFTs like Bitcoin Punks, he developed the prototype for the BRC20 protocol within just two days, aiming to provide a solution for supporting fungible assets within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The core principles of BRC20 include:

• Utilizing the Ordinals mechanism to bind data to the Bitcoin blockchain.

• Establishing asset value through global consensus and social acceptance.

Following the release of the BRC20 protocol, it quickly gained traction in the community. Early adopters used manual tools and custom indexers to interact with the protocol. Later, the Unisat team introduced advanced indexers and marketplace tools, accelerating asset trading and adoption. Despite facing technical and philosophical criticism, Domo remained steadfast in his commitment to openness and fairness in the protocol’s design.

As the protocol matured, Domo collaborated with teams such as Unisat and Best in Slot to drive technical upgrades, including:

• Programmable Modules: Enhancing protocol flexibility and functionality through EVM compatibility.

• Single-Step Transfers: Simplifying asset transfer processes to improve user experience.

• Diversification of Indexers: Ensuring decentralization and transparency through multiple open-source indexers.

Domo expressed optimism for the future of BRC20, envisioning seamless integration with other systems enabled by programmable modules and single-step transfers. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the long-term value of assets rather than rigid adherence to specific technical standards. Additionally, Domo believes that collaboration and innovation within the Bitcoin ecosystem will attract more users and developers.