Ordinals have gained traction in the Bitcoin ecosystem, provoking debates, moving the network, and generating opportunities for artists, collectors, and miners. This innovation allows data — such as images, texts, or videos — to be inscribed directly in satoshis (the smallest units of BTC), creating a unique form of on-chain NFTs on Bitcoin's original blockchain.
For those used to associating NFTs exclusively with blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, or Polygon, the idea of digital collectibles existing natively on the Bitcoin network may sound surprising. But this change is underway and has already been causing practical and conceptual impacts on the oldest network in the crypto market.