Steve Carney 
Ordinals have introduced a new way to create Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) on the BTC network. Developed by Casey Rodarmor a software developer and Bitcoin enthusiast Ordinals utilize the Ordinal Theory to identify and label individual satoshis which are the smallest fractions of Bitcoin . By assigning ordinal numbers based on mining and transaction order satoshis can be tracked and distinguished. Inscriptions, the resulting NFTs, attach arbitrary data like videos, images and texts to these satoshis and create immutable and decentralized digital artifacts.
The Process of Creating Inscriptions and Rarity System
Bitcoin Inscriptions are created using the Taproot Upgrade specifically the pay-to-taproot (P2TR) output type . This allows the association of a satoshi with a script containing arbitrary content such as videos or images, stored directly on the blockchain. Inscriptions go through two transaction phases: transaction commit and reveal transaction. The commit phase creates a Taproot output with the inscription’s content while the reveal phase spends (destroys) the commit output and tells the inscription’s contents on the blockchain.
Comparing Inscriptions to Traditional NFTs and Future Outlook
Bitcoin Inscriptions differ from traditional NFTs, such as those on the Ethereum network in their creation process . While Ethereum NFTs utilize token standards and smart contracts Bitcoin Inscriptions maintain a simpler approach by attaching arbitrary data to Bitcoin fractions . This allows them to be fungible and non-fungible simultaneously which provides holders the option to enjoy the attached content or spend them as fractions of Bitcoin. However the limited block space in Bitcoin poses challenges for certain applications such as dynamic NFTs and blockchain games which require more robust smart contracts.
Despite these limitations Inscriptions have found their ideal use cases in creating small collections with reduced file sizes and preserving digital artifacts, particularly for digital artists seeking immutable works stored on a secure and decentralized blockchain. Ordinals technology has brought significant advancements to the Bitcoin network. While scalability constraints may lead to migration to Bitcoin’s layer 2 solutions the innovative potential of Ordinals is expected to endure.
