This article comes to you with the generous support of Xtreme.game. Discover the excitement and rewards that await you at Xtreme.game with a 100% deposit bonus!What is Bitcoin Runes?Runes' launch led to a surge in transaction fees, with over 78.6 BTC paid shortly after the halving, with traders minting meme coins like DOG•GO•TO•THE•MOON. You’ve been hearing enough about the news, but what is Runes? Transaction fees peaked on April 20. Source: BitInfoChartsRunes is a novel UTXO-based fungible token protocol for integrating tokens into Bitcoin, focused on simplicity and efficiency. It leverages Bitcoin's native features to enable on-chain token creation, minting, and transfer more optimally than separate layers or off-chain data. Runes transactions have a special OP_RETURN structure for protocol messages.Proposed in September 2023 by Casey Rodarmor, Runes aimed to address limitations of existing token protocols like BRC-20, RGB, and Taproot Assets. Launched at block height 840,000, coinciding with Bitcoin's 4th halving, Runes provided a simpler way to handle fungible tokens on Bitcoin.Runes offers a more efficient, scalable solution than BRC-20, addressing network congestion and indexer inconsistencies without requiring an indexer. This user-friendly alternative minimizes complexities, aiming to attract fees, developers, and users to Bitcoin, potentially reshaping token dynamics. Bitcoin Runes Technical FoundationSource: SatScreenerHow the Runes Protocol WorksRunes allows multiple tokens in a single UTXO for efficiency over address-based/off-chain protocols. Transactions have a special `OP_RETURN` structure with token supply, ID, and UTXO output, ensuring clarity. Token supply defines UTXO token capacity; ID is the numeric identifier. Transfers split UTXOs with varying Rune amounts. The focus is simplicity, user experience, and avoiding unnecessary UTXOs/off-chain data.Runes vs. BRC-20 TokensWhile BRC-20's market cap reached $1B in 2 months, it faced "adverse UTXO proliferation" criticism. Runes offer a more efficient, elegant solution than BRC-20, addressing network congestion and indexer inconsistencies. Runes minimize "junk" UTXOs for better management/smaller footprint, unlike BRC-20's potential congestion/inefficient tokenization. Runes' UTXO-based state model minimizes off-chain data needs, unlike BRC-20's complex interactions/potential native token reliance. Getting Started with Bitcoin RunesSource: Rune AlphaPreparing for Runes: Wallets and Bitcoin EssentialsBefore engaging with Runes, you'll need to acquire Bitcoin to cover transaction fees. Be prepared to grab it at the best reasonable cost, including gas fees. You can check the network fee in real time at mempool.space.Source: mempoolYou'll need to use supported platforms for minting, etching, and trading Runes. Here are some popular options:1. WalletsUniSat WalletXVerse WalletOrdinals WalletMagic Eden WalletOKX WalletMagic Eden Wallet2. Explorers & DataRune Alpha: Exploration, etching, minting, and marketplaceRunesTerminal: Exploration, minting, and launchpad servicesSatScreener: Information on Runes (mint/supply, price, market cap)RuneMine: Portfolio setup, Multisig, Indexer, Runes dataBTCToolPro: Charts for Runes tokens, minting, etchingRunesMarketCap: Details on market cap, listings, and projectsRunedata: List of Runes, price, holders, transactionsOKLink: List of Runes, price, holders, transactionsGate.io: List of Runes, price, holders, sales, where to buy3. MarketplacesUnisatOKXOrdinals Wallet4. Etching/Minting PlatformsRune Alpha RunesTerminalBTCToolProLuminexBitcoin RuneScrypt Note: Always do your own research (DYOR) before using any platform or service.The Process of Etching, Minting, and Transferring RunesEtchingEtching creates a Rune and sets its properties, which cannot be changed after the process. Here's an example using Luminex:Head over to the Rune minting section.Switch to the 'Etch' tab.Input the desired parameters (similar to deploying tokens on EVM chains, right?).Click the 'i' symbol next to each section for explanations and guides if needed.Choose your desired fee (check mempool.space before proceeding) and hit 'Submit Etch'.Source: LuminexMintingMinting is the process of creating new Rune tokens and adding them to the existing supply. Once the mint limit (set by the etcher) is reached, no more new tokens can be minted, and only the existing ones can be in circulation. Here's an example using UniSat:Visit the UniSat website and navigate to the Runes section.Select the specific Rune you want to mint.Input the number of Runes you want to mint or use the slider for batch minting.Confirm the transaction after ensuring the minting details are accurate.After the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, refer to the following formula to calculate the current total supply of the minted Rune: `Supply = Premine + (Amount * Minted) - Cap`.Beware: Network fees are extremely high now (as you can see in the example), so watch out and avoid FOMO.Source: UniSatTradingTo trade Runes, follow these general steps:Navigate to the trade section or exchange interface and connect your wallet.Select the Runes you want to trade from the available options.Specify the quantity of Runes you desire to trade.Review and confirm the trade details, such as price and transaction fees.Execute the trade to complete the transaction.Always ensure to review all trade details and consider market conditions before executing a trade.If you use OKX, they just announced support for zero-fee trading on mobile two days ago.Source: OKX Runes in PracticeThe Runes protocol opens up exciting opportunities for the Bitcoin ecosystem. The chief expectation is that Runes will power the Bitcoin decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem in the near future. This could lead to the creation of Bitcoin-based meme coins, as well as the emergence of wrapped tokens representing cryptocurrencies from other blockchains on the Bitcoin network.As the Bitcoin L2 and DeFi sectors advance, we may even witness the rise of Bitcoin-native tokens powering decentralized applications (dApps). The simplicity of the Runes token creation process allows developers to build innovative dApps, contributing to the growth and diversification of the Bitcoin token landscape.Moreover, the Runes protocol fosters increased engagement within the Bitcoin community, offering a gateway to a broader audience and facilitating a larger volume of tokens, which can attract more participants and developers to the ecosystem. Community resources like launchpads, lending platforms, and developer tools provide avenues for users and developers to actively participate in the Runes ecosystem, promoting collaboration, innovation, and adoption within the Bitcoin network. ConclusionBitcoin Runes is a new and efficient way to create fungible tokens directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. It aims to solve limitations of existing token protocols and usher in a new era for DeFi and dApps on Bitcoin. However, proceed with caution - gas fees are getting crazy, and so are the number of not-gonna-make-it projects. FAQsWhat are Bitcoin Runes?Bitcoin Runes is a UTXO-based protocol for creating and managing fungible tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain. It offers a simpler and more efficient way to handle tokens compared to previous solutions.How does Bitcoin Runes work?Bitcoin Runes leverages Bitcoin's native features to enable token creation, minting, and transfer directly on-chain. It uses special OP_RETURN transactions to store token information within UTXOs, promoting efficiency and clarity.What are the benefits of using Bitcoin Runes?Bitcoin Runes addresses limitations of existing token protocols by minimizing unnecessary data and congestion. It offers a user-friendly experience for developers and users, potentially attracting more participants to the Bitcoin DeFi space.How can I get started with Bitcoin Runes?Before using Bitcoin Runes, acquire Bitcoin to cover transaction fees. You'll then need a compatible wallet and explore platforms like Rune Alpha or UniSat for minting, etching, and trading Runes. Always conduct your own research before using any service.This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.