Ordinals represents a major breakthrough in the Bitcoin ecosystem. This protocol, designed by Casey Rodarmor, enables digital artifacts to be registered directly on the blockchain. How does it work? assigns a unique identifier to each satoshi (the smallest unit of Bitcoin). This makes it possible not only to track them through transactions, but also to associate them with specific content. This is how the concept of inscription was born: content (image, text, video, etc.) permanently engraved on a satoshi, transforming these units into digital artifacts. Unlike traditional NFTs, inscriptions are stored entirely on the Bitcoin blockchain. This process paves the way for the creation of NFTs and other digital assets directly on the Bitcoin network.
Numbering entries and upgrading early entries
The Ordinals entries are numbered sequentially. Each entry receives a unique number according to the order in which it is registered on the Bitcoin blockchain. This simple but effective system makes it possible to identify each entry regardless of the complex number of the satoshi identifier with which it is associated.
Entries with the smallest numbers, commonly known as “low inscriptions”.are of particular importance in Bitcoin’s Ordinals ecosystem. Indeed, the first inscriptions created are now perceived as rare digital artifacts. They have a potentially high value due to their historical character.
Growth in the number of registrations
Since the introduction of registrations in January 2023, their number has grown exponentially. At the time of writing, the total number of registrations has exceeded 76 million. In the face of this explosion, low-inscriptions increasingly stand out for their limited and pioneering character. Indeed, as listings continue to increment, low-listings are becoming a historic part of the Ordinals protocol and Bitcoin.
The “Low Inscriptions” Clubs: Sub1K, Sub10K, and Sub100K
In the world of web3Exclusive clubs and communities are often formed around concepts of scarcity or possession of distinctive assets. The phenomenon is similar with entries Ordinals. Three main clubs have formed around low-number entries.
Sub1K: entries under 1000
This club is reserved for the very first registrations, those made in the early days of the protocol. Belonging to this group means owning one of the very first works registered on the Bitcoin blockchain. These registrations have exceptional historical and symbolic value. Visit Sub1K is undoubtedly the most exclusive group, containing just 1,000 inscriptions. They are considered digital treasures. On Magiceden, these first 1,000 listings represent a total sales volume of 262 BTC! And it costs a minimum of $20,000 to acquire one. These listings include the already legendary Bitcoin Shrooms, Punks on Bitcoin and Bitcoin Rocks collections.
Sub10K: Entries under 10,000
The Sub10K extends this rarity to the first 10,000 entries. Although less exclusive than Sub1K, these listings remain highly sought-after. Indeed, the listings in this group remain pioneering. They reflect a period when the Ordinals protocol was still being discovered by Bitcoin and web3 insiders. It’s also worth noting that the number 10,000 is magical in the web3 universe: the most popular collections and clubs in the crypto world are made up of 10,000 items. So the sub10k listings can be considered the first 10K collection on Bitcoin Ordinals.
Sub100K: Entries under $100,000
With over 76 million of inscriptions today, the sub100K inscriptions are seen as the first true waves of mass inscriptions. However, they retain a strong historical and collector’s value. Indeed, they mark the beginning of the wider adoption of the Ordinals protocol. These registrations bear witness to the first experiments and the rise of Ordinals on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Sub100k registrations are held by 56,000 different owners. At the time of writing, they have generated a sales volume of over 3,300 bitcoins, or nearly 215 million euros. It’s worth noting that part of this sales volume is attributable to the Nodemonkes collection, part of which is registered in the sub100K club.
The historical value and rarity of early inscriptions
The first inscriptions have historical value. With the number of sub1K, sub10K and sub100K listings limited in a space where listings will grow ad infinitum, the value of these artifacts should continue to rise over time. The appeal of low-inscriptions to web3 collectors and investors therefore has a bright future.
Their historical importance is further amplified by the evolution of the Ordinals protocol. As new functionalities and use cases emerge around Ordinals, (notably with the introduction of BRC-20 and other metaprotocols such as Runes), these early entries take on added value, both as pioneering pieces of technology and as symbols of the start of NFTs on Bitcoin.
For collectors and investors, these early listings represent not only a rare digital asset, but also an integral part of Bitcoin’s history. Indeed, these early listings are heavily influenced by crypto culture. There are numerous references to web3 culture. Notably the 10,000 cryptopunks, all listed in the first 40,000 listings, in the Bitcoin Punk collection.
Opportunities and prospects
Investing in sub100K listings is the opportunity to own a piece of digital history on the world’s most secure blockchain. As Art is on the cusp of its digital revolution, the Ordinals protocol continues to grow in popularity and new projects emerge every day, demand for these early listings can only increase.
The sub100K listings on Ordinals represent much more than mere digital artifacts: they embody the innovation, rarity and history of a rapidly expanding ecosystem on Bitcoin. For collectors and investors looking to commit to this new era of Bitcoin NFTs, these early listings could prove to be valuable digital treasures in the long term. Especially at a time when prices are low and the start of a new bull cycle is approaching.
Contact us to acquire a low-inscirpiton sub1K, sub10k, sub100k or any other digital work registered on Bitcoin. We can also help you build your collection on Ordinals.