❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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🔹 General

What is AtBitcoin Protocol?

AtBitcoin Protocol is a naming system built on Bitcoin. It lets you claim a permanent handle like yourname@bitcoin that is inscribed directly on the Bitcoin blockchain using Ordinals. It's a decentralized identity you truly own—no company can delete it.

How is this different from a regular username?

Regular usernames are controlled by platforms (Twitter, Discord, etc.) and can be deleted or banned. AtBitcoin handles are inscribed on Bitcoin—nobody can take them away. They're permanent, transferable, and verifiable on‑chain.

What can I do with my handle?

Use it as your Bitcoin identity. Share it instead of a long wallet address. Prove ownership across Web3. Join communities that recognize @bitcoin handles. And because it's an Ordinal inscription, it's also a collectible.

🔹 Registration & Payment

How do I get a handle?

Check availability on our homepage, then submit a registration request with your Bitcoin address. You'll receive payment instructions. After sending the one‑time $10 fee (in BTC) and confirming the TXID, we manually inscribe your handle and send it to your wallet.

How much does it cost?

A one‑time registration fee of $10 (paid in BTC). There are no renewal fees—once inscribed, it's yours forever. The fee covers the Bitcoin network transaction costs and supports protocol operations.

How long does registration take?

Registration is manual. After payment confirmation, inscription and transfer typically take 1–2 business days, depending on Bitcoin network congestion. You'll receive an email with your inscription ID once complete.

Can I reserve a handle without paying?

No. Handles are assigned on a first‑paid, first‑served basis. Submitting a request does not guarantee the handle until payment is confirmed.

What if someone else claims the same handle?

We process payments in the order they are received. If you pay but the handle is taken before your payment is confirmed, we will issue a full refund (minus any Bitcoin network fees incurred).

🔹 Technical & Ownership

What does "parent‑child inscription" mean?

AtBitcoin Protocol is built on Bitcoin Ordinals using a parent‑child inscription structure.

  • Parent Inscription: A single inscription containing the text @bitcoin. This is the root of the entire protocol. It was created once and acts as the official "stamp of authenticity."
  • Child Inscription: Every handle you claim (e.g., alice@bitcoin) is inscribed as a child of the @bitcoin parent. The Bitcoin transaction that creates the child literally spends the parent UTXO and includes a special tag linking back to it.

This creates an unbreakable, verifiable on‑chain relationship. Anyone can look at an Ordinals explorer, see that alice@bitcoin is a child of the official @bitcoin parent, and know it's a legitimate AtBitcoin handle—not a copycat.

Think of it like a family tree: @bitcoin is the trunk, and every registered handle is a branch that can be traced back to the root.

How do I verify a handle is authentic?

Check the parent‑child link on any Ordinals explorer (like ordinals.com). The official parent inscription ID is published on our website. Any legitimate handle will show as a child of that ID.

Can I transfer my handle?

Yes. Your handle is a standard Ordinal inscription. You can send it to any Bitcoin address using an Ordinals‑compatible wallet (Xverse, Leather, UniSat).

What wallet do I need?

Any Bitcoin wallet that supports Ordinals, such as:

Ensure you provide a bc1q... or bc1p... address during registration.

Is my handle really permanent?

Yes. Inscriptions are immutable data stored on the Bitcoin blockchain. As long as Bitcoin exists, your handle exists.

Can I point my handle to a new Bitcoin address later?

The original inscription text cannot be changed, but the protocol can be designed so the directory always points to the most recent child inscription for a given handle. Contact us if you need to update your address.

What happens if I lose my wallet?

Just like losing the private key to any cryptocurrency wallet, you would lose access to the handle. Your AtBitcoin handle is a self‑custodied digital asset—keep your seed phrase safe.