# Bitcoin Stamps and SRC-20 ## Bitcoin Stamps Bitcoin Stamp is a protocol designed for the immutable storage of images on the Bitcoin blockchain, utilizing transaction outputs for this purpose. Initially introduced by Mike through Counterparty, a Bitcoin sidechain protocol established in 2014, they developed a method to embed images in base64 format within transaction outputs innovatively.\ This process involves converting an image's binary data into a base64 string, appending this string to a transaction description key prefixed with 'Stamp:', and broadcasting it over the Bitcoin ledger via the Counterparty protocol. Mike is recognized as the founder of Bitcoin Stamps. ## SRC-20 SRC-20, a token protocol standard, is built upon the Bitcoin Stamps solution, with Kevin serving as its founder. SRC-20 transactions are executed directly on the Bitcoin blockchain, diverging from the Counterparty protocol starting from block 796,000. The minting, deploying, and transferring of SRC-20 tokens are conducted without any service charges, excluding the Bitcoin network's miner fees, when performed through a compatible wallet. ## --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://bitname.gitbook.io/bitname/bitcoin-stamps-and-src-20.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.