Retrieve Valid Inscriptions Using OKX's Ordinals API

The world of blockchain and digital assets continues to evolve rapidly, with Bitcoin-based innovations like Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens gaining significant traction. For developers and platforms aiming to integrate seamless access to on-chain data, leveraging powerful Web3 APIs is essential. The OKX Ordinals API provides a robust solution for retrieving valid inscription data tied to specific wallet addresses—enabling real-time insights into NFTs, inscriptions, and token listings.

This guide explores how to use the Get Valid Inscriptions endpoint from OKX’s Web3 API suite, detailing request parameters, response structure, and practical implementation tips. Whether you're building a marketplace, analytics dashboard, or wallet interface, understanding this API unlocks deeper engagement with Bitcoin’s emerging digital artifact ecosystem.

Understanding the Get Valid Inscriptions Endpoint

The Get Valid Inscriptions API endpoint allows developers to fetch verified inscription records associated with a given wallet address. This data is crucial for applications that need to display user-owned digital collectibles, verify ownership, or track listing activity on NFT marketplaces.

This RESTful interface supports pagination, filtering, and sorting—making it ideal for scalable integration into web and mobile applications.

Request URL

POST https://web3.okx.com/api/v5/mktplace/nft/ordinals/get-valid-inscriptions

This secure endpoint requires proper authentication and follows standard HTTPS protocols to ensure data integrity and performance.

Required and Optional Request Parameters

To customize your query and retrieve precise results, the API supports several input parameters. Below is a breakdown of each parameter and its function.

Core Parameters

• walletAddress (String, Required)
  The Bitcoin or BRC-20 compatible wallet address you want to query. This is the primary identifier for fetching inscription data.
• slug (String, Required)
  A unique identifier (slug) representing the specific NFT collection or token series. Each collection has a distinct slug used for filtering inscriptions.
• limit (String, Required)
  Sets the maximum number of inscription records returned per request. Default value is 10, with a maximum allowed value of 100.

Optional Filters

• cursor (String, Optional)
  Used for pagination. When retrieving large datasets, use the cursor from a previous response to fetch the next page of results.

• sort (String, Optional)
  Defines the sorting logic for returned inscriptions:

  • listing_time_desc: Newest listings first
  • listing_time_asc: Oldest listings first
  • price_desc: Highest price first
  • price_asc: Lowest price first
  • unitprice_desc: Highest unit price first
  • unitprice_asc: Lowest unit price first
    Default: listing_time_desc
• isBrc20 (Boolean, Optional)
  Filters results between BTC NFTs and BRC-20 token listings. Set to true (default) to include BRC-20 data.

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Interpreting the API Response

Upon a successful request, the API returns an array of inscription objects containing detailed metadata. Here's what each field means:

Key Response Fields

• inscriptionId (String)
  A unique identifier for the inscription on the Bitcoin blockchain. This ID is critical for tracking provenance and verifying authenticity.
• nftId (String)
  The internal NFT identifier assigned by the platform, useful for database indexing and UI rendering.
• cursor (String)
  Pagination token. Include this value in subsequent requests to retrieve the next set of results.
• ticker (String)
  Applies only to BRC-20 tokens. Represents the token symbol (e.g., "ORDI", "RUNES").
• tickerId (String)
  Unique identifier for the BRC-20 ticker, aiding in cross-referencing token standards.
• amount (String)
  Indicates the quantity of inscribed units—especially relevant for fungible BRC-20 assets.

This structured output ensures compatibility with front-end frameworks, analytics engines, and smart contract systems.

Practical Use Cases and Implementation Tips

Use Case: Marketplace Listings Dashboard

Imagine building a decentralized marketplace where users can view all valid inscriptions linked to their wallets. By calling this API upon login, your app can instantly populate a personalized gallery of owned NFTs and BRC-20 tokens.

Combine this with sorting by price_desc to highlight high-value items or use listing_time_asc to show oldest holdings first—ideal for collectors showcasing rarity.

Use Case: Portfolio Tracker App

Financial dashboards tracking Bitcoin-native assets can leverage this endpoint to auto-detect holdings without relying on third-party indexes. With support for both NFTs and BRC-20s, developers gain unified access to two rapidly growing asset classes.

👉 Access real-time inscription data with OKX’s advanced Web3 API suite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use this API to retrieve inscriptions for any Bitcoin wallet?
A: Yes, as long as you have the wallet address and it contains valid Ordinals inscriptions. However, only public on-chain data is accessible—no private key or balance information is exposed.

Q: Is there a rate limit for API calls?
A: While specific limits depend on your access tier, most endpoints allow hundreds of requests per minute. For high-frequency usage, consider applying for enterprise access through OKX’s developer portal.

Q: How often is the inscription data updated?
A: The system syncs in near real-time with the Bitcoin blockchain. Most new inscriptions appear within minutes of confirmation.

Q: What does “valid inscription” mean?
A: A valid inscription refers to a digitally etched asset (image, text, etc.) on a satoshi that has been verified and is recognized by the Ordinals protocol. Invalid or corrupted inscriptions are filtered out by the API.

Q: Can I filter results specifically for BRC-20 tokens only?
A: Yes—set the isBrc20 parameter to true. To exclude them and focus only on NFTs, set it to false.

Q: Do I need an API key to use this endpoint?
A: Yes, authentication via an API key is required for security and usage tracking. Keys can be generated in your OKX developer account dashboard.

Best Practices for Integration

1. Implement Cursor-Based Pagination
   Always check if a cursor is returned in the response. If present, enable “Load More” functionality in your UI to improve user experience.
2. Cache Responses When Possible
   Since blockchain data doesn’t change frequently after confirmation, caching reduces redundant calls and improves load times.
3. Handle Errors Gracefully
   Monitor HTTP status codes (e.g., 400 for invalid inputs, 429 for rate limiting) and provide clear feedback in your application.
4. Validate Wallet Address Format
   Ensure addresses follow correct formats (e.g., P2TR for Taproot) before sending requests to avoid unnecessary errors.
5. Monitor for Schema Updates
   Stay updated with OKX’s API changelog to adapt quickly to new fields or deprecations.

Final Thoughts

As Bitcoin evolves beyond simple transactions into a platform for digital ownership and expression, tools like the OKX Ordinals API become indispensable. The ability to programmatically access valid inscription data empowers developers to build richer, more interactive experiences across wallets, marketplaces, and analytics platforms.

With clean parameterization, flexible sorting, and reliable responses, this API streamlines integration while maintaining scalability and accuracy.

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