9 Bitcoin Ordinals Collections to Keep an Eye on in 2024

Bitcoin Ordinals collections are emerging as a new breed of digital asset, blending scarcity, immutability, and the bedrock security of the Bitcoin blockchain.

Collectors are scrambling to secure pieces from the most sought-after collections, recognizing not only their artistic value but also their potential as historical relics of Bitcoin's evolution.

Imagine owning a piece of Bitcoin history — not just another fungible token, but a single satoshi (the smallest unit of Bitcoin) inscribed with a unique piece of art, a cultural artifact.

This article will explore the top Ordinals colleciton that have supposedly made a mark in crypto history.

Taproot Wizards

 

Launched in May 2023, Taproot Wizards is a collection of 2,121 unique characters inspired by the popular "magic internet money" meme – a playful nod to Bitcoin's early days.

More than just art, Taproot Wizards offers a gamified onboarding experience called "Wizard School." Through this platform, users delve into the wonders of Bitcoin's Lightning Network, deepening their understanding and involvement in the ecosystem while acquiring their magical NFT wizards.

This innovative project also pays homage to Bitcoin's Taproot upgrade, which unlocked the potential for smart contracts on the network. The Taproot upgrade, activated in November 2021, revolutionized Bitcoin transactions. It tackled two key issues: speed and privacy.

Previously, verifying transactions was slow. Each digital signature, used for authorization, required individual validation. This became sluggish for complex multi-signature transactions (requiring multiple approvals).

The Taproot Wizards project was created by developers Udi Wertheimer, Eric Wall, and OxFAR, who have become vocal critics of a perceived overly-conservative culture that permeates some parts of the Bitcoin community.

OnChainMonkey

 

OnChainMonkey (OCM) pushes the boundaries of NFTs with its collection of 10,000 unique monkey avatars. Each boasts distinct traits and accessories, making them highly collectible. Originally residing on the Ethereum blockchain, OCM made a bold move in September 2023, migrating to Bitcoin prioritizing decentralization and security tapping into the untapped potential of Bitcoin.

The shift to Bitcoin Ordinals ensures that each OnChainMonkey NFT has a direct, verifiable link to its corresponding original Ethereum NFT. OCM holders who wish to participate in the migration can claim their Bitcoin-based Ordinal. The inscription process upholds efficiency, minimizing block space usage for environmental consciousness.

Through their OCM Dimensions collection, OCM became a frontrunner in showcasing the potential of Bitcoin's Ordinals protocol. They utilized recursive inscriptions, a novel technique that allows for the inscription of high-quality 3D art onto the Bitcoin blockchain. This innovation overcomes limitations posed by the traditional 4MB block size limit, paving the way for richer NFT experiences on Bitcoin.

Bitcoin Miladys

 

Bitcoin Miladys is a project shaking up the NFT landscape by offering a migration solution for Ethereum NFTs. Their innovative approach leverages the BRC-721E token to bridge both data and artwork from Ethereum to Bitcoin's Ordinals protocol.

Bitcoin Miladys emerged in a collaborative effort between Remilia, the founder of Milady Maker, and Pseudohumanism, a developer within the Bitcoin community.

This bridge unlocks exciting possibilities for collectors and creators. Collectors can now transfer their prized Ethereum NFTs to the secure and established Bitcoin blockchain, potentially benefiting from its unique characteristics.

Also, the BRC-721E token standard's flexibility extends beyond Miladys. It allows the migration of any compatible Ethereum NFT to Bitcoin, opening doors for a wider range of collections.

The migration process utilizes a "burn-and-mint" method. Original Ethereum NFTs are sent to a designated "burn" address, essentially removing them from circulation. This ensures only one version of the NFT exists.  Simultaneously, a replica is recreated as an Ordinal on the Bitcoin blockchain, preserving the NFT's value and ownership.

However, unlike other cross-chain bridges that rely on escrow wallets for NFT retrieval, the BRC-721E standard offers a one-way journey.

 

Twelvefold

 

Launched in early 2024, Twelvefold by Yuga Labs (creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club) is a unique NFT project featuring 300 pieces of generative art. Each artwork showcases a captivating geometric pattern based on twelvefold symmetry.

TwelveFold revolves around the concept of the 12x12 grid, which symbolizes the base-12 cartography of data on the Bitcoin blockchain. The collection is visually diverse, combining 3D elements with hand-drawn features. The inscription process itself is considered part of the art, reflecting the manual inscription practices of the early Ordinals movement.

To generate excitement, Yuga Labs launched the "Twelvefold Ordinals" puzzle series, rewarding participants with NFTs and Bitcoin (BTC) for solving the puzzles. By adding this gamefi element and pairing it with rewards, this NFT collection has piqued the interest of many NFT enthusiasts and collectors who are seeking utility more than bragging rights.

Quantum Cats

 

Quantum Cats is a collection of 3,333 unique felines that leverages the innovative Ordinals protocol on Bitcoin, unlocking exciting possibilities for NFT art.

This NFT Collection leverages "evolving Inscriptions," a mysterious technique that hints at these digital cats morphing over time.

 

 

Each cat exists in multiple evolutionary stages, yet only the initial form is visible upon inscription. The subsequent forms are pre-programmed and encrypted on-chain. Their evolution is guided by the ongoing development of a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) known as OP_CAT.

Inscribing these multiple stages was a resource-intensive process for the creators. Each Quantum Cat inscription exceeds 10MB, pushing the limits of Bitcoin's block size. But this technical hurdle showcases the project's pioneering spirit, venturing into uncharted territory within Bitcoin NFTs.

Despite facing major technical issues and multiple mint delays, the project not only pulled off a successful sale but also set impressive records. This has ignited a buzz in the crypto community about the potential of NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain.

BTC DeGods

DeGods, initially a Solana NFT collection of 10,000 unique characters, made headlines in March 2024 for their innovative rebirth on Bitcoin. While not the first Ordinals project, DeGods achieved a feat no other had: purchasing an entire Bitcoin block for their Ordinal launch.

DeGods implemented a unique system where sellers faced a 33.3% penalty, called The Paperhands B*tch Tax (PHBT), if they listed their NFT below the floor price. This "tax" resulted in 535 DeGods being burned, seemingly lost forever.

In a surprising move, DeGods brought these "burned" DeGods back to life on Bitcoin in March 2024. This resurrection highlights the project's adaptability and the potential for NFTs to transcend blockchain boundaries.

The resurrected DeGods, now residing on the "mother chain" (Bitcoin), with a floor price of 1.2 BTC (at the time of writing), a significant increase from the original mint cost of 0.33 BTC.

Ordinal Maxi Biz (OMB)

 

Ordinal Maxi Biz (OMB) stormed the Ordinal NFT scene with a rebellious spirit. Founded by zk-Shark, a Wall Street escapee who embraced the anarchist ethos, OMB quickly grabbed everyone's attention.

The Collection with Three Eyes: OMB boasts three distinct collections - Blue Eyes, Red Eyes, and the recently launched Green Eyes. The originals reached a staggering peak of 4.2 BTC, while the Green Eyes collection kicked off minting at a more accessible 0.09 BTC.

OMB launched a brazen marketing campaign, urging other projects to embrace the anarchist spirit by purchasing and burning CryptoPunks – a move considered blasphemy by many in the NFT world.

Two projects, DeGods and Bitcoin Bandits, answered the call, each receiving 33 whitelist spots for the Green Eyes mint. Notably, most of these spots were raffled off, democratizing access and further amplifying the project's anti-establishment message.

The project recently shook hands with Christie’s, one of the largest American auction houses, to become the first Bitcoin Ordinals collection at an online auction at the house.

 

 

OMB didn't just make a splash; they rewrote the script. Through the punk burning, achieved entirely without spending their funds, OMB established itself as a pioneer within the Ordinal NFT space, and a project unafraid to challenge the status quo.

Ordinal Punks

 

The Ordinal Punks collection has carved out a distinct niche. Inspired by the iconic CryptoPunks, these 100 algorithmically generated characters bring a fresh twist to the Bitcoin blockchain.  Their early arrival, securing a place among the first 650 inscriptions, imbues them with potential historical significance.

Each Ordinal Punk boasts unique traits, ensuring both rarity and a broad appeal to NFT enthusiasts. Unlike traditional NFT marketplaces, Ordinal Punks foster a personal touch through direct community trading, primarily facilitated by the project's Discord channel.

The collection's value hinges on a trifecta: rarity, with only 100 Ordinal Punks in existence, unique features that distinguish each Punk, and their pioneering role within the Bitcoin Ordinals ecosystem. 

This is evident in sales figures — Punk 94 fetched a staggering 9.5 BTC — solidifying Ordinal Punks as pivotal players in the burgeoning world of Bitcoin-based digital art and collectibles, and sparking discussions within the Bitcoin community about the role and value of NFTs on the blockchain.

Bitcoin Frogs

 

Bitcoin Frogs hold the distinction of being the first 10,000-piece Ordinal project to sell out through a free mint on the Lightning Network. But their impact goes beyond the sale itself.

The Bitcoin Frogs team recognized the potential for a thriving Bitcoin NFT community and acted as catalysts. Their free mint opened the door for many who lacked the resources or knowledge to participate in Ordinals previously.

The Bitcoin Frogs community didn't just focus on onboarding existing Bitcoin users. They embarked on a mission to bring people from Ethereum and Solana into the Bitcoin Ordinals fold. Their approach? Pure grassroots effort.

Led by their founder, community members descended upon NFT NYC, a major industry event. But their target wasn't just the mainstream NFT crowd. They ventured to Pubkey, a bar known for its Bitcoin clientele. Here, they distributed hundreds of Bitcoin Frogs, even going the extra mile to personally set up Xverse wallets (a Bitcoin wallet compatible with Ordinals) for interested individuals.

The Bitcoin Frogs' story is one of community, inclusivity, and a dedication to fostering a vibrant NFT ecosystem on the Bitcoin blockchain. Their innovative free mint and hands-on approach played a pivotal role in bringing new users to Ordinals and expanding the horizons of Bitcoin NFTs.

Conclusion

Bitcoin Ordinals collections, initially met with skepticism, have quickly blossomed into a vibrant and innovative corner of the crypto world. These projects prove that the Bitcoin blockchain, with its emphasis on decentralization and security, can serve as a fertile ground for unique and valuable digital assets.

The artistic experimentation, technical exploration, and community-driven ethos exhibited by these collections are pushing the boundaries of NFTs. From game-like mechanics that engage participants to the migration of existing NFT projects, Bitcoin Ordinals are redefining what's possible on-chain.

Whether they prioritize historical significance, groundbreaking technical feats, or a rebellious spirit, these collections point toward a future where the Bitcoin blockchain is a foundation for a diverse and exciting digital art ecosystem.

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