Since its beginnings, the NFT space has been absolutely dominated by Ethereum. In short order, NFT’s became fixtures on alternate chains like Solana, Polygon and Terra Luna (RIP). Many NFT enthusiasts may not be aware that there is a thriving ecosystem on the granddaddy of all of the blockchains, Bitcoin. Let’s take a look at what a Bitcoin NFT is, what makes them unique and their advantages over tokens on other blockchains.
A Brief Introduction to NFT’s
NFT is short for Non-Fungible Token. In words we can all understand, an NFT is a fundamentally unique digital asset that is truly one of a kind and irreplaceable. Ownership of a non-fungible token can be absolutely verified through the underlying blockchain which serves as a digital ledger.
Currently, NFT use cases encompass digital art, music, film media and online gaming. In the future, NFT’s will likely be used to verify ownership of real world assets, such as a real estate or vehicle title. While the Stacks ecosystem is developing innovative applications in municipal finance (CityCoins) and the real estate industry (Theopetra), our focus today will be on Bitcoin digital art NFT’s on the Stacks blockchain.
What is a Bitcoin NFT?
“There is something beautiful about owning a little piece of internet culture. With Bitcoin NFTs, I can now own a little piece of Bitcoin culture. NFTs makes my connection to this community stronger and our shared stories and symbols more meaningful.”
– Muneeb Ali, Founder of Stacks
A Bitcoin NFT is a non-fungible token built on the Stacks blockchain, where all transactions are secured on Bitcoin. It’s common knowledge in the cryptospace that Bitcoin lacks native smart contract capability. Without the ability to process smart contracts, there can be no NFT’s, no decentralized apps (d’Apps), no decentralized finance (DeFi). Ethereum built a massive head start in these arenas with Bitcoin unable to establish any presence.
This is where Stacks comes in. Stacks makes NFT’s, d’Apps and DeFi possible on the blue-chip crypto by handling the smart contract capabilities on their blockchain. All transactions are rolled up and then settled on Bitcoin. Stacks allows for a space for anyone to create a smart contract on their framework. But don’t believe me, here’s a handy definition from the Stacks website: Stacks connects to Bitcoin, enabling you to build apps, smart contracts, and digital assets that are integrated with Bitcoin’s security, capital, and network.
What Makes a Bitcoin NFT Unique?
Even with the multitude of blockchain options out there, the security Bitcoin provides is simply unmatched. Additionally, transactions are considerably cheaper through Stacks in comparison to Ethereum. Oftentimes, it is a fraction of the price of moving an asset on the Ethereum Network. That means NFT enthusiasts can side-step those gas fees that can range from painful to mind-bendingly ludicrous.
Interested in Bitcoin NFT’s? Well, you’re gonna need some Stacks. You can buy STX on OKCoin, the preferred exchange of the Stacks ecosystem. Sign up with this link and get $50 of Bitcoin free as a bonus by using this link. And what’s better than free money?
Free Bitcoin!
What does a Bitcoin NFT Look Like?
Bitcoin NFT’s are widely varied in appearance. They can be pixelated (Megapont Ape Club, Bitcoin Birds, Stacks Parrots) or detailed drawn images (Satoshibles, Crash Punks). The subjects range from animals (Bitcoin Monkeys, MadStar Hback Whale Club), humans (Phases of Satoshi), plants (Stacculents) or donuts (Funky Donuts). In each case they reflect the creativity of some of the most talented artists in the entire NFT space.
What are Some Examples of a Bitcoin NFT?
Bitcoin Birds
These pixelated birds come with several potential accessories and a variety of plumage colors. Early investors have done extremely well and Bitcoin Birds is still one of the most highly sought-after Bitcoin NFT projects on Stacks. For more about Bitcoin Birds, click here.
Satoshibles
Satoshibles are a collection of hand-illustrated images featuring Satoshi Nakamoto re-imagined with a multitude of variants. This Bitcoin NFT collection was originally released on Ethereum. The development team wanted to link the collection to Bitcoin, the blockchain designed by Satoshi Nakamoto himself. To do so, they constructed a cross-chain bridge between Ethereum and Stacks, Stacksbridge, allowing holders to efficiently move the tokens between blockchains. For more about Satoshibles, click here.
Crash Punks
This collection is on the groundbreaking science-fiction novel, Snow Crash, which contains the first use of the term, “metaverse.” These Bitcoin NFT’s will give holders access to Moonray, an open world metaverse game built on the Ethereum blockchain. To learn more about Crash Punks, click here.
The phrase “Not your keys, not your coins” has never been more true. Keeping your crypto tokens on an exchange exposes your assets to potential loss and theft. A hardware wallet is absolutely essential. Ledger makes accessing your NFT’s and your crypto safe and easy.
Find our how easy it is to make sure your coins are kept safe.
Megapont Ape Club
Megapont Ape Club is by far the most popular NFT project on Stacks, judging by volume on the exchanges. Like Satoshibles, this Bitcoin NFT set uses their “Banana Bridge” to shift assets from Stacks to Ethereum and back. Megapont Apes have a pixelated presentation on Stacks, while appearing as animated images on Ethereum.
Holders will have access to Megapont Metropolis, which is currently being built in The Sandbox. To learn more about Megapont Ape Club, click here.
The Explorer Guild
The Explorer Guild is an entire Bitcoin NFT collection inspired by science fiction pioneer, Jules Verne. Through these NFT’s, Verne has been reimagined with a multitude of different traits and attributes that make each token unique. These owners will also enjoy utility in the form of free access to the innovative Sigle.io paid writing platform. For more about The Explorer Guild, click here.
Bitcoin Monkeys
Bitcoin Monkeys owners will have access to The Sandbox, where the development team is building out Monkey Island. These NFT’s are already being staked and generating the alpha token, $BANANA for use throughout their ecosystem.
To learn more about Bitcoin Monkeys, click here.
Phases of Satoshi
This collection projects Bitcoin founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, through the lens of a wide variety of ages and races from both genders, which display a range of possibilities of Nakamoto’s true appearance. Holders receive airdrops and were whitelisted for the recently released Clown World collection. To learn more about Phases of Satoshi, click here.
Stacculents
This collection of cherubic cacti contain some of the hap-hap-happiest plants you will find on the entire internet. With a low current price, Stacculents is an outstanding entry point for anyone into the Stacks NFT ecosystem. To learn more about Stacculents, click here.
Funky Donuts
These digital confections come with various facial expressions, headgear and even footwear. They have spawned another collection, the slightly edgier Punk Donuts and are building their ecosystem in a magical land called Donutville. To learn more about Funky Donuts, click here.
Ready to buy some Bitcoin NFT’s? Well, you’re gonna need some Stacks. You can buy STX on OKCoin, the preferred exchange of the Stacks ecosystem. Sign up with this link and get $50 of Bitcoin free as a bonus by using this link. And what’s better than free money?
Free Bitcoin!
Madstar: HBack Whales Club
This Bitcoin NFT collection of 2.500 animated whales come with an enormous amount of trait options.
The dev team behind HBack Whales Club are doing some real good in real life for real whales as well. For more about HBack Whales Club, click here.
Stacks Parrots
The tremendous initial success of these pixelated parrots spawned off two additional Bitcoin NFT collections on the Stacks blockchain, Macaws and Stacks Parrots 3D. To learn more about Stacks Parrots, click here.
The phrase “Not your keys, not your coins” has never been more true. Keeping your crypto tokens on an exchange exposes your assets to potential loss and theft. A hardware wallet is absolutely essential. Ledger makes accessing your NFT’s and your crypto safe and easy.
Find our how easy it is to make sure your coins are kept safe.
Marbling
This NFT collection is based on animated (and quite well-marbled looking) pigs. The development team is building a game and an entire ecosystem around these portly porkers. To learn more about Marbling, click here.
Tiger Force
Tiger Force was slated for release on the Solana blockchain before switching to Stacks to become a Bitcoin NFT collection instead. They are developing a fighting game with incredible graphics and the ability for other Stacks NFT characters to ‘get in the ring’ and fight in their Jungleverse.
To learn more about Tiger Force, click here.
Space Whales
One of the most visually compelling NFT’s in the entire Stacks ecosystem. It’s 3D Animation sets it apart from other NFT’s on Stacks. Also… it’s whales with frickin’ spaceships attached to them! To learn more about Space Whales, click here.
Where can I buy a Bitcoin NFT?
There are currently two exchanges where you can purchase Bitcoin NFT’s, Byzantion.xyz and Gamma.io. Purchasing a Bitcoin NFT on Stacks is simple. I have included instructions right here in How to Buy a Bitcoin NFT on Stacks (A Beginner’s Guide).
Can a Bitcoin NFT Have Any Metaverse Applications?
Absolutely. Megapont Metropolis and Monkey Island are currently being constructed in The Sandbox. Crash Punks have teamed with Moonray to allow Punk character “skins” in gameplay. Tiger Force is creating fighting games that integrate other Bitcoin NFT characters into their Jungleverse and several other collections are creating their own metaverse applications.
What’s the Best Bitcoin NFT Application IMHO?
For me, it’s the Sigle.io Web 3.0 writing platform, which is available for free by owning an Explorer Guild Bitcoin NFT. Sigle.io includes a programmable newsletter, custom domain and advanced analytics. This platform allows for writers to get paid in Bitcoin through a truly unique method. Since “Stacking“ Stacks allows for a Bitcoin yield, subscribers can share their Bitcoin yield with the author. Readers are able to lock up their Stacks and support their favorite writer with Bitcoin without ever giving up their initial principle.
What About the Artists Behind Bitcoin NFT’s?
Stacks boasts some of the premiere digital artists in all of crypto. Many have their own compelling stories. Stacculents artist Jessica Glaves created a 10,000 NFT collection while helping animals in veterinary critical care. Abraham Finlay, the teenager who designed Bitcoin Birds, was inspired by his work in wildlife conservation. And Grace Ng created Crash Punks NFT’s while receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Are Bitcoin NFT Collections making an impact IRL?
Several Bitcoin NFT collections are currently making an impact beyond the cryptosphere and in the real world. Satoshibles has teamed with the Built With Bitcoin Foundation to assist schools in Africa. Phases of Satoshi raised funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Miami. Crash Punks donated royalties for World Cancer Day and a portion of of the royalty proceeds from Bitcoin Birds goes toward bird rescue and wildlife conservation.
What Does the Future Look Like for Bitcoin NFT’s?
While none of this is to be construed as financial advice (please see the website disclaimer), anyone who reads this blog or follows my Twitter already knows that I am very bullish on the outlook for Stacks cryptocurrency, the underlying blockchain for Bitcoin NFT’s.
NFT’s on Stacks are absolutely exploding since their debut in 2021. In addition to their recent listing on Coinbase, the Stacks ecosystem is best represented on OKCoin, where you can get exposure to Stacks, Arkadiko Finance, and CityCoins like MiamiCoin and NYCCoin. Stacks is the protocol that brings d’Apps, NFT’s and Ethereum-like utility to Bitcoin. I am a believer that any exposure to Stacks comes with tremendous future upside potential. So, while everyone should do their own research before investing in any NFT or cryptocurrency, I think the future of most NFT projects on Stacks hold considerable promise.
-The Crypto Trend Analyst