Ordinals Protocol is an exciting new development in the world of cryptocurrency, enabling the creation and direct addition of unique, non-fungible tokens to the Bitcoin network. While some in the crypto community may be wary of this technology, blockchain enthusiasts have seized the opportunity to explore NFTs on a whole new level.
We've previously spoken about Bitcoin Ordinals NFT, but now let's take a closer look at some of the best early collections created using this exciting blockchain protocol.
Ordinal Punks
Ordinal Punks is a nod to one of the most well-known and valuable NFT collections, CryptoPunks. The project consists of hundreds of avatars, each with its own inscription on the blockchain (a registration number). This serves as a unique identifier that distinguishes each Ordinal NFT on the Bitcoin network.
The Ordinal Punks were created by a user under the pseudonym FlowStay, who used a decentralized algorithm to generate PFP NFTs. A list of non-fungible tokens for Ordinal Punks available for purchase can be found in a Google spreadsheet, while the collection's founder secures conditional deposits (safe payment) through Discord. At the time of writing, the cheapest Ordinal Punk available from the author's list was selling for 4.75 BTC, while the most expensive was going for a whopping 1000 BTC.
The Ordinal Punks NFT collection. Source: ordinalpunks.com
Taproot Wizards
The hand-drawn NFT collection has two thousand wizards. The project was created by developer Udi Wertheimer in collaboration with mining company Luxor and refers to a meme from 2013. It features a rough digital poster with an image of a wizard and the inscriptions 'Bitcoin Wizards', 'Magic Internet money,' and 'Join us.' Additionally, the collection's name references the first type of Bitcoin address (taproot).
Within a short period of time, a community of admirers formed around it. To obtain the NFT, one must join the school of wizards (register on the website through Twitter) and perform further acquisition-related manipulations. As of the end of February, Bitcoin NFT sales totaled $150,000. The funds were transferred to the meme artist.
The collection is remembered for its first NFT with the inscription 652. Adding this digital artifact to the blockchain resulted in the mining of the largest block in Bitcoin's history (4MB).
Taproot Wizards’ Ordinals NFT collection. Source: taprootwizards.com
Bitcoin rocks
The NFT collection, inspired by a similar project called Ether Rocks on the Ethereum network, consists of 100 rock images. It was founded by a Twitter user known as @ordrocks. The first Bitcoin Rocks NFT was recorded on the blockchain with the number 71.
The creator of the collection did not create a website, so all the necessary information can be found on their Twitter account. Transactions and trade discussions take place in a Discord group.
Bitcoin Rocks, Ordinals NFT collection. Source: twitter.com/ordrocks
Timechain Collectibles
The Timechain Collectible is an NFT collection created using artificial intelligence. It features 21 images of clocks with the Bitcoin logo. The collection was registered on January 30th, with all elements added to a single block. The inscriptions are numbered from 356 to 377.
Bitcoin NFT sales take place on Discord. It is known that an NFT token with the inscription 364 was purchased for 3 BTC.
Timechain Collectible Ordinals NFT collection. Source: ordynals.com
Bitcoin Shrooms
Bitcoin Shrooms is the first NFT collection recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain. It features pixelated images of mushrooms, with caps that take various unrealistic shapes. The first character was added to the network under the label "19".
The project creators remain anonymous. Additionally, they have closed their Discord page and do not conduct auctions related to sales, instead communicating solely through Twitter.
Bitcoin Shrooms Ordinals NFT collection. Source: bitcoinshrooms.com
Ordinal Loops
Ordinal Loops is a multi-series collection of animated images made up of a set of symbols that simulate computer code.
The first series in the collection is called "Do Not Fiat," which reflects digital currency's struggle against fiat currency. The second series, called "Roots of Immutability," features each NFT as an animation of a Bitcoin block that contains one of seven popular hashes that have influenced blockchain changes.
Ordinal Loops auctions take place in a Discord group. One of the most expensive ordinals in this collection was sold for 4 BTC.
Ordinal Loops collection Logo. Source: ordinalloops.xyz
Ordinals — the evolution of NFT
Dune Analytics reports over 317,000 Ordinals NFTs recorded on Bitcoin from January to March 2023. Since the launch of OpenOrdex, which is a marketplace for a new type of digital certificate, the number of added non-fungible tokens may increase rapidly. OpenOrdex, introduced in March, enables buying and selling of tokens.
It should be noted that only those who run a Bitcoin node can attach Ordinals NFTs to the blockchain. Therefore, for many users, the ability to add unique tokens to the BTC network is limited, at least until a convenient platform with this feature appears.
