NFTs

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets verified using blockchain technology, primarily on platforms like Ethereum. Unlike cryptocurrencies, NFTs are indivisible and cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis, ensuring each NFT is distinct and irreplaceable, much like a physical collectible. They have gained prominence in digital art, music, gaming, and other online communities for enabling proof of ownership and authenticity of digital creations. NFTs can represent anything from artwork and music to videos and tweets.


Tech

Satoshi-Era Bitcoin Function 'OP_CAT' Dusted Off as Development Fervor Grows

Developers Ethan Heilman and Armin Sabouri view OP_CAT as a simple opcode that offers some of the general purpose functionality currently missing in Bitcoin

Armin Sabouri (left), one of the co-authors of the OP_CAT proposal; with Dan Gould, a Bitcoin developer; and co-author Ethan Heilman, in October at Chaincode Labs' Bitcoin Research Day, in New York. (Neha Narula)

Markets

Sandbox’s SAND Slides, ApeCoin Steady Ahead of $125M in Unlocks

Token unlocks refer to the release of previously locked or restricted tokens into the market.

Token unlocks are usually bearish events, increasing a token's supply.(FLY:D/Unsplash)

Opinion

As EtherRocks Hit Sotheby’s, Who Is Laughing Hardest?

Literally clipart of rocks, the NFTs are a popular joke on digital art. Now the storied auction house is selling them, they may become even more collectible, says Daniel Kuhn.

(EtherRocks)

Opinion

Ethereum Has Gatekeepers (for Good Reason)

A new, non-standard token standard called ERC-404 circumvented the usual governance process and is capitalizing on a term with an actual definition.

(Thomas Vogel/Unsplash)

Tech

Taproot Wizards' New Bitcoin NFTs Already Trading at Twice the Initial Sale Price

Even after a weeklong minting process marred by technical issues, the Quantum Cats digital images were going for more than $10,000 each on the NFT marketplace Magic Eden, on their first day of secondary trading.

Quantum Cats for sale on Magic Eden NFT Marketplace (Magic Eden)

Tech

Bitcoin NFT Project Taproot Wizards Sells Out First Collection, Raking in $13M

All 3,000 of the "Quantum Cats" digital images were claimed by the end of Monday's public mint, selling for a fixed price of 0.1 BTC ($4,265) each – despite severe technical issues that had delayed the process by a full week.

Screenshot of "Quantum Cats" collection from the project's website. (Quantum Cats/Taproot Wizards)

Tech

Taproot Wizards Delays 'Quantum Cats' for 3rd Time as Mint Site Gets Fixed, Tested

Taproot Wizards struggled with technical issues during Monday's initial attempt to sell about 3,000 of the "NFTs on Bitcoin." The team says they underestimated demand, and says the minting site is now fixed but needs more time for testing.

Screenshot of "Quantum Cats" collection from the project's website. (Quantum Cats/Taproot Wizards)

Tech

The Protocol: Bitcoin NFT Debacle, Vitalik's 30th, Farcaster Frames, 'Private Mempools'

In this week's issue of The Protocol newsletter, our Sam Kessler writes about the "private mempools" that Ethereum users are increasingly relying on to avoid front-running MEV bots. PLUS: Margaux Nijkerk explores the growing use of "councils" to oversee adolescent networks.

Founder of Ethereum Vitalik Buterin during TechCrunch Disrupt London 2015 (John Phillips/Creative Commons/CC2.0, modified by CoinDesk)

Tech

Taproot Wizards Delays 'Quantum Cats' Sale for 2nd Time, After Messy Bitcoin NFT Debut

"We had big plans for mint day and we didn’t live up to your expectations of us and to our expectations of ourselves," Taproot Wizards co-founder Udi Wertheimer posted on X.

Screenshot of "Quantum Cats" collection from the project's website. (Quantum Cats/Taproot Wizards)

Tech

Taproot Wizards Debut Sale of Bitcoin NFTs 'Quantum Cats' Marred by Tech Issues

The collection was on sale for 0.1 BTC ($4,300) each, meaning upwards of 300 BTC ($13 million) could have been raised if the full series of 3,000 had been placed.

Screenshot of "Quantum Cats" collection from the project's website. (Quantum Cats/Taproot Wizards)