How to Create an NFT Collection on the Bitcoin Blockchain Using the Ordinals Protocol? A Comprehensive Tutorial

Robert John
CryptoStars
Published in
9 min readMar 2, 2023

--

NFTs have taken the world by storm in recent years. They are unique digital assets that can be used to represent anything from digital art to collectibles, and their popularity has skyrocketed due to their ability to prove ownership and scarcity. One of the most popular blockchain networks for creating NFTs is the Bitcoin blockchain, and one of the most popular protocols for creating them is the Ordinals Protocol. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of creating an NFT collection on the Bitcoin blockchain using the Ordinals Protocol.

Step 1: Set up a Bitcoin wallet

The first step to creating an NFT collection on the Bitcoin blockchain is to set up a Bitcoin wallet. A Bitcoin wallet is a digital wallet that allows you to store, send, and receive Bitcoin. There are several types of Bitcoin wallets available, including software wallets, hardware wallets, and paper wallets. For the purposes of this guide, we will be using a software wallet.

One of the most popular Bitcoin wallets is Electrum. You can download it from the official Electrum website and follow the instructions to set it up. Once you have set up your Bitcoin wallet, you will need to fund it with Bitcoin. You can do this by purchasing Bitcoin from a cryptocurrency exchange or by receiving it from another Bitcoin wallet.

Step 2: Set up a MetaMask wallet

The next step is to set up a MetaMask wallet. MetaMask is a browser extension that allows you to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. Even though we are creating an NFT collection on the Bitcoin blockchain, we will be using MetaMask to connect to the Ordinals Protocol, which is built on the Ethereum blockchain.

To set up a MetaMask wallet, you will need to download the MetaMask extension for your browser and follow the instructions to set it up. Once you have set up your MetaMask wallet, you will need to fund it with Ethereum. You can do this by purchasing Ethereum from a cryptocurrency exchange or by receiving it from another Ethereum wallet.

Step 3: Connect to the Ordinals Protocol

The next step is to connect to the Ordinals Protocol using your MetaMask wallet. To do this, you will need to navigate to the Ordinals Protocol website and click on the “Connect Wallet” button. This will open up a MetaMask pop-up window asking for permission to connect to the Ordinals Protocol. Click “Connect” to grant permission.

Step 4: Create your NFT collection

Once you have connected your MetaMask wallet to the Ordinals Protocol, you can start creating your NFT collection. Click on the “Create Collection” button, and you will be taken to a page where you can enter the details of your collection, such as the name, description, and image.

You will also need to set the parameters for your collection, such as the number of NFTs in the collection, the price of each NFT, and the royalty percentage that you will receive for each secondary sale of an NFT in your collection. Once you have entered all the necessary details, click on the “Create Collection” button.

Step 5: Mint your NFTs

The next step is to mint your NFTs. Minting an NFT means creating a unique token on the blockchain that represents your digital asset. To mint your NFTs, go to your collection page and click on the “Mint” button. This will open up a MetaMask pop-up window asking you to confirm the transaction. Click on “Confirm” to mint your NFT.

Step 6: Sell your NFTs

The final step is to sell your NFTs. To do this, you can either sell them directly from your collection page or list them on a cryptocurrency marketplace for others to purchase. To sell them directly from your collection page, click on the “Sell” button next to the NFT that you want to sell. This will open up a MetaMask pop-up window asking you to confirm the transaction. Click on “Confirm” to sell your NFT.

If you want to list your NFTs on a cryptocurrency marketplace, you will need to create a listing for each NFT that you want to sell. To do this, go to the marketplace that you want to list your NFTs on and follow the instructions to create a listing. Make sure to include all the necessary information, such as the name, description, image, price, and royalty percentage.

What is an Ordinal Inscription?

An Ordinal Inscription is a unique identifier used in the Ordinals Protocol for NFTs. It is a numerical value that represents the position of an NFT within a collection or series. For example, if an NFT collection contains 100 unique assets, each asset would be assigned a different Ordinal Inscription ranging from 1 to 100.

The Ordinal Inscription is used to create a unique identifier for each NFT, which is stored on the Bitcoin blockchain. This identifier ensures that each NFT is unique and cannot be duplicated or replicated. It also helps to establish the order or sequence of NFTs within a collection or series.

The Ordinals Protocol uses a specific algorithm to generate Ordinal Inscriptions, which ensures that they are both unique and unpredictable. This algorithm takes into account factors such as the timestamp, the transaction inputs and outputs, and the previous block hash, among others.

By using Ordinal Inscriptions, the Ordinals Protocol provides a reliable and secure way to create and manage NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain. It ensures that each NFT is unique, immutable, and can be easily tracked and verified.

Pros and Cons of Using Ordinals Protocol

The Ordinals Protocol is one of the most popular choices for creating NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain. While it has many advantages, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks as well. In this section, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of using the Ordinals Protocol for creating NFTs.

Advantages of using the Ordinals Protocol

  1. Security: The Ordinals Protocol is built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain, which is known for its high level of security. This means that NFTs created using the Ordinals Protocol are resistant to fraud and hacking.
  2. Decentralization: The Ordinals Protocol is a decentralized platform, which means that it’s not controlled by any central authority. This makes it more resistant to censorship and ensures that ownership of NFTs is truly decentralized.
  3. Low fees: The Ordinals Protocol charges lower fees than some other NFT platforms, making it a cost-effective option for creators who want to mint and sell NFTs.
  4. Flexibility: The Ordinals Protocol is highly customizable, allowing creators to design NFTs that meet their specific needs. This flexibility extends to the type of content that can be minted as an NFT, allowing creators to experiment with different types of digital assets.

Disadvantages of using the Ordinals Protocol

  1. Limited visibility: While the Ordinals Protocol is a popular platform for creating NFTs, it doesn’t have the same level of visibility as some other platforms. This could make it more difficult to attract buyers and make sales.
  2. Limited functionality: While the Ordinals Protocol is flexible in terms of design and content, it has limited functionality when it comes to things like royalties and secondary sales. This could be a drawback for creators who want more control over how their NFTs are sold and resold.
  3. Technical knowledge required: The Ordinals Protocol is a relatively technical platform, and creators will need to have some knowledge of blockchain technology in order to use it effectively. This could be a barrier to entry for some creators.
  4. Lack of community support: While the Ordinals Protocol has a dedicated user base, it doesn’t have the same level of community support as some other NFT platforms. This could make it more difficult for creators to get help and support when they need it.

Ordinals Protocol offers a range of benefits for creators who want to mint and sell NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain. However, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks as well, and to determine whether the platform is the right choice for your specific needs. By weighing the pros and cons of the Ordinals Protocol, creators can make an informed decision about whether to use it to create and sell their own NFTs.

How the Ordinals Protocol Caused a Resurgence in Bitcoin Development?

The Ordinals Protocol, which enables the creation of NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain, has sparked a renewed interest in Bitcoin development. While Bitcoin has long been the most well-known and widely-used cryptocurrency, it has often been criticized for its limited functionality and lack of smart contract capabilities. However, with the rise of the Ordinals Protocol, developers have been able to build increasingly sophisticated applications on top of the Bitcoin blockchain.

One of the key advantages of the Ordinals Protocol is that it allows for the creation of NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain, which was previously not possible due to the limited scripting language used in Bitcoin transactions. The Ordinals Protocol uses a combination of Bitcoin’s transaction outputs and metadata to store unique information about each NFT, while still maintaining the security and immutability of the Bitcoin blockchain.

This innovation has sparked a renewed interest in Bitcoin development, as developers are now able to build more complex and feature-rich applications on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. In addition, the Ordinals Protocol has helped to expand the use cases for Bitcoin beyond just being a store of value or a means of exchange.

Moreover, the Ordinals Protocol has attracted a new generation of developers to the Bitcoin ecosystem, many of whom were previously focused on Ethereum or other blockchain networks with more advanced smart contract capabilities. This has led to a surge in Bitcoin-related development activity, with developers creating new tools, libraries, and frameworks to support the creation of NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain.

The Ordinals Protocol has played a significant role in the resurgence of Bitcoin development, by opening up new possibilities for the Bitcoin blockchain and attracting new developers to the ecosystem. As the NFT space continues to grow and evolve, it is likely that the Ordinals Protocol and other Bitcoin-based NFT platforms will continue to play an important role in the future of cryptocurrency development.

What’s next for Ordinals?

The Ordinals Protocol has already made significant strides in the world of NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain. However, there is always room for improvement and innovation, and the developers behind the protocol are constantly working to enhance its capabilities and features.

Here are a few potential directions for the future of Ordinals:

Increased functionality

As mentioned earlier, Ordinals has limited functionality when it comes to things like royalties and secondary sales. In the future, the developers may look to add more features and tools to give creators more control over their NFTs.

Community building

While Ordinals has a dedicated user base, it doesn’t have the same level of community support as some other NFT platforms. The developers may look to build a stronger community and support system around the protocol.

Interoperability

As the NFT space continues to grow and evolve, interoperability between different platforms will become increasingly important. The developers may look to make the Ordinals Protocol more compatible with other blockchain networks and NFT platforms.

User experience

The Ordinals Protocol is a relatively technical platform, and the developers may look to make it more user-friendly for creators who may not have a deep understanding of blockchain technology.

Overall, the future looks bright for the Ordinals Protocol. As NFTs continue to gain in popularity and become more mainstream, the need for secure, decentralized, and reliable platforms like Ordinals will only continue to grow. The protocol’s commitment to security, flexibility, and decentralization makes it a compelling choice for creators looking to mint and sell NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Conclusion

Creating an NFT collection on the Bitcoin blockchain using the Ordinals Protocol is a relatively straightforward process. The key steps involved are setting up a Bitcoin wallet, setting up a MetaMask wallet, connecting to the Ordinals Protocol, creating your NFT collection, minting your NFTs, and selling them. By following these steps, you can create and sell your own unique digital assets on the blockchain. With the popularity of NFTs continuing to grow, now is the perfect time to get started and take advantage of this exciting new technology.

--

--

Web3 professional experienced in blockchain development and skilled in writing engaging content on emerging technologies.