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BRC-721E: A Bridge or a Burner for Ethereum NFTs?

BRC-721E: A Bridge or a Burner for Ethereum NFTs?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets that represent various forms of art, collectibles, games, and more. Most of the NFT activity has been happening on the Ethereum network, which supports the ERC-721 standard for creating and trading NFTs. However, Ethereum is not the only blockchain that can host NFTs.

In fact, Bitcoin, the oldest and largest cryptocurrency, has also developed its own way of storing and transferring digital art on its network. This is done through a protocol called Ordinals, which allows users to embed data, such as images or text, onto a single satoshi, the smallest unit of Bitcoin. Ordinals are essentially the closest thing that Bitcoin has to NFTs, and they have been gaining traction in the past few months, with over 10 million inscriptions created as of May 2023.

According to book author Anndy Lian, at one point in November 2023, BRC-20 NFTs have also surpassed Ethereum NFTs in terms of sales volume, with $35,563,933 worth of transactions in the past 24 hours, compared to $12,142,132 for Ethereum NFTs.

But what if you want to move your NFTs from Ethereum to Bitcoin or vice versa? Is there a way to bridge the two networks and preserve the value and uniqueness of your digital assets? This is where BRC-721E comes in. BRC-721E is a new token standard that was introduced in May 2023 by Ordinals Market, a Bitcoin-based NFT marketplace, and Bitcoin Miladys, a Bitcoin-based derivative of the popular Miladys NFT collection on Ethereum. It claims to be a bridge between the Ethereum and Bitcoin networks, allowing users to convert their ERC-721 NFTs to BRC-721E tokens on Bitcoin. But how does it work, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of using it? In this article, we will explore the features, advantages, and challenges of BRC-721E and how it affects the NFT markets on both Ethereum and Bitcoin.

How BRC-721E works

The process of converting an ERC-721 NFT to a BRC-721E token on Bitcoin involves the following steps:

  • The user burns their ERC-721 NFT on Ethereum by sending it to a special address that has no withdrawal function. This means that the NFT is permanently destroyed and cannot be recovered. The user also specifies a Bitcoin address that will receive the BRC-721E token.
  • The user inscribes valid BRC-721E data onto a satoshi on the Bitcoin network. The data must include a reference to the Ethereum burn transaction and the Bitcoin address that matches the one specified in the previous step.
  • The BRC-721E token is created and transferred to the user’s Bitcoin address. The token will automatically appear on a custom Ordinals Market collection page with complete metadata, such as the name, description, and image of the original NFT.

The BRC-721E token is said to be immutable and verifiable, meaning that it cannot be altered or duplicated and that it can be traced back to the original NFT on Ethereum. However, there are some limitations and risks involved in using BRC-721E. First of all, the conversion is irreversible, meaning that once the user burns their ERC-721 NFT on Ethereum, they cannot get it back or send it back to Ethereum. Secondly, the metadata of the BRC-721E token is not stored on-chain but off-chain on the Ordinals Market website. This means that the token relies on a third-party service to display its full information and that it may not be compatible with other Bitcoin wallets or marketplaces. Thirdly, the user has to pay fees for both the Ethereum and Bitcoin transactions, which may be high depending on the network congestion and demand. Finally, the user has to trust that the Ordinals Market website and the BRC-721E protocol are secure and reliable and that they will not be hacked, shut down, or compromised in any way.

What are the benefits of BRC-721E?

Despite the challenges and risks, BRC-721E offers some potential benefits for users who want to migrate their NFTs from Ethereum to Bitcoin. Here are some of them:

  • BRC-721E allows users to access the growing Ordinals ecosystem on Bitcoin, which has been attracting more attention and activity in the past few months. According to CryptoSlam, a data platform for NFTs, Bitcoin ranked second in terms of NFT trading volume by network in May 2023, surpassing Solana and trailing only behind Ethereum4. Some of the popular Ordinals collections include Bitcoin Miladys, Pixel Pepes, Bitcoin Punks, and BTC DeGods.
  • BRC-721E enables users to leverage the security and stability of the Bitcoin network, which is widely regarded as the most robust and decentralized blockchain in the world. Bitcoin has a higher hash rate, a longer history, and a larger network effect than Ethereum, making it more resistant to attacks, censorship, and manipulation. By converting their NFTs to BRC-721E tokens on Bitcoin, users may feel more confident and comfortable about the safety and longevity of their digital assets.
  • BRC-721E provides users with an opportunity to diversify their NFT portfolio and exposure to different blockchain platforms. By holding both ERC-721 NFTs on Ethereum and BRC-721E tokens on Bitcoin, users can benefit from the different features, advantages, and innovations of each network. For example, Ethereum offers more functionality, interoperability, and variety for NFTs, while Bitcoin offers more simplicity, security, and scarcity for Ordinals. Users can also hedge against the volatility and uncertainty of each network by having a balanced mix of NFTs on both chains.

What are the drawbacks of BRC-721E?

On the other hand, BRC-721E also has some drawbacks and limitations that users should be aware of before using it. Here are some of them:

  • BRC-721E destroys the original NFT on Ethereum, which may result in a loss of value, utility, and community for the user. By burning their ERC-721 NFT, the user gives up ownership and access to the original asset, which may have more demand, liquidity, and functionality on the Ethereum network. For example, some NFTs on Ethereum can be used in games, platforms, or metaverses, which may not be possible or compatible with BRC-721E tokens on Bitcoin. Moreover, the user may lose the connection and interaction with the original NFT community, which may have more members, events, and updates than the Ordinals ecosystem on Bitcoin.
  • BRC-721E depends on the Ordinals Market website and the BRC-721E protocol, which may not be reliable, secure, or trustworthy. As mentioned earlier, the metadata of the BRC-721E token is not stored on-chain but off-chain on the Ordinals Market website. This means that the token is not fully decentralized or transparent and that it relies on a third-party service to display its full information. If the Ordinals Market website is hacked, shut down, or compromised in any way, the user may lose access to their BRC-721E token or its metadata. Furthermore, the BRC-721E protocol is relatively new and untested, and it may have bugs, errors, or vulnerabilities that could affect the conversion process or the token itself.
  • BRC-721E incurs fees for both the Ethereum and Bitcoin transactions, which may be high or unpredictable depending on the network conditions and demand. The user has to pay gas fees for burning their ERC-721 NFT on Ethereum and transaction fees for inscribing their BRC-721E token on Bitcoin. Both fees are determined by network congestion and market forces, and they may vary significantly over time. For example, in 2023, the average gas fee on Ethereum was around $20, while the average transaction fee on Bitcoin was around $10. These fees may add up to a significant cost for the user, especially if they want to convert multiple NFTs or if the fees increase in the future.

Summing up

In the ever-evolving landscape of NFTs, the emergence of BRC-721E poses intriguing possibilities and complexities for digital asset holders. It stands at the nexus of a pivotal choice: whether to bridge the Ethereum and Bitcoin networks or risk burning the bridge altogether.

It embodies both promise and peril, offering a conduit for migrating NFTs between Ethereum and Bitcoin yet demanding sacrifices and presenting hurdles in the process. It opens the door to the Ordinals ecosystem on Bitcoin, a realm swiftly gaining momentum in the NFT sphere, showcasing the potential for diversification and security. Yet, its mechanisms paint a canvas of irreversible actions, forcing users to bid farewell to their original ERC-721 NFTs on Ethereum, severing ties with established communities and ecosystems.

While the allure of Bitcoin’s robust network security and stability stands as a beacon, the reliance on a third-party service for metadata storage raises questions about decentralization and trust. The vulnerability to website vulnerabilities or shutdowns threatens the integrity and accessibility of BRC-721E tokens, introducing uncertainties in an already complex digital landscape.

Moreover, the financial implications of transitioning through BRC-721E cast shadows of unpredictability. High fees across both Ethereum and Bitcoin networks present a substantial financial burden, amplifying the cost of conversions and potentially deterring users from engaging in multiple transitions.

As users weigh the scales of opportunity and risk, the decision to embrace BRC-721E hinges on individual priorities. It prompts contemplation on the trade-offs between accessibility, security, and community allegiance. The quest for seamless interoperability between disparate blockchain ecosystems demands consideration of the irreversible nature of actions and the inherent risks woven into the process.

The advent of BRC-721E epitomizes the expanding frontier of blockchain innovation, offering a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of NFT migration. It beckons users to navigate a labyrinth of choices, challenging preconceptions and inviting exploration into the boundaries of digital ownership.

In this intricate dance between Ethereum and Bitcoin, BRC-721E casts a spotlight on the juncture where innovation meets consequence. Its significance lies not only in its technical prowess but in the philosophical conundrum it presents—a choice between preserving the familiarity of one’s digital assets or embarking on a new frontier, lured by the promises and uncertainties it holds. As the NFT narrative continues to unfold, the saga of BRC-721E will stand as a testament to the nuanced decisions inherent in the evolution of digital ownership and blockchain interconnectivity.

 

Source: https://hackernoon.com/brc-721e-a-bridge-or-a-burner-for-ethereum-nfts

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Why Are BRC-20 NFTs Suddenly Soaring in Value?

Why Are BRC-20 NFTs Suddenly Soaring in Value?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets that represent various forms of art, collectibles, games, music, and more, and have been one of the hottest trends in the crypto space in 2023, attracting millions of dollars in sales and generating a lot of buzz and excitement among creators and collectors.

However, not all NFTs are created equal. There are different standards and platforms that enable the creation and trading of NFTs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. One of the most popular and widely used standards is ERC-20, based on the Ethereum blockchain. ERC-20 NFTs have been dominating the market for a long time, thanks to the network effects, liquidity, and diversity of the Ethereum ecosystem.

But there is a new challenger in town: BRC-20. BRC-20 is an experimental token standard that enables the minting and transferring of fungible tokens via the Ordinals protocol on the Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain. Taking a cue from Ethereum’s ERC-20 tokens, BRC-20 tokens feature different mechanisms and functions, such as proof-of-history, proof-of-stake, and optional royalty. BRC-20 tokens are also compatible with the Bitcoin network, which means they can leverage the security, decentralization, and immutability of the most established and valuable cryptocurrency.

BRC-20 NFTs have been gaining a lot of traction and popularity in 2023, especially among Bitcoin enthusiasts and supporters. According to Coingecko, the TRAC (Ordinals) market cap has soared by around 230% over the last seven days to a $67 million market cap.

BRC-20s Beginning to Outpace Ethereum NFTs

BRC-20 NFTs have also surpassed Ethereum NFTs in terms of sales volume, with $35,563,933 worth of transactions in the past 24 hours, compared to $12,142,132 for Ethereum NFTs. Solana, another contender in the NFT space, is lagging with only $1,990,810 in sales volume.

Compared to when I first talked about it last year, and again this year, the difference is huge. So, what is driving this surge in BRC-20 NFTs? Several factors contribute to this phenomenon, such as:

  • Innovation and experimentation: BRC-20 NFTs are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with NFTs, introducing new features and functionalities that appeal to both creators and collectors. For example, they can have optional royalty, which means that the original creator can receive a percentage of the future sales of their NFTs, creating a passive income stream and incentivizing quality and originality. They can also have stake-weighted transaction processing, which means that the more stake a user has in the network, the faster and cheaper their transactions will be, creating a more efficient and fair system.BRC-20 NFTs can also have fee-based execution priority, meaning users can pay higher fees to confirm their transactions faster, creating a more flexible and dynamic market.
  • Scalability and performance: BRC-20 NFTs are designed to overcome the scalability and performance issues that plague Ethereum NFTs, such as high gas fees, slow transaction speed, and network congestion. Their NFTs use the proof-of-history mechanism, which allows the network to achieve a high throughput of transactions without compromising security or decentralization. Proof-of-history encodes time as data on the blockchain, creating a verifiable and chronological record of events. This eliminates the need for complex and costly consensus algorithms, such as proof-of-work or proof-of-stake, and enables the network to process thousands of transactions per second with low latency and low cost.
  • Diversity and creativity: BRC-20 NFTs are attracting a diverse and creative community of artists, developers, and collectors who are exploring new possibilities and opportunities with NFTs. They are not limited to digital art but can also represent various forms of media, such as music, videos, podcasts, games, and more. They can also be integrated with other platforms and applications, such as social media, e-commerce, gaming, and more, creating new use cases and experiences for NFTs. BRC-20 NFTs can also be combined with other NFTs, creating complex and rich digital assets with multiple layers and dimensions.
  • Strong community and builders: The Bitcoin community and builders are very strong and dedicated to improving the network and creating more user value. BRC-20 NFTs are one of the results of their hard work and vision. They have been working on the Ordinals protocol and the BRC-20 token standard for years before they launched them in early 2023. Since then, they have been attracting more and more creators and collectors to join the BRC-20 NFT space, creating a vibrant and diverse ecosystem.BRC-20 NFTs are not only a way of expressing and owning digital art but also a way of supporting and participating in the Bitcoin network and are a testament to the innovation and creativity of the Bitcoin community and builders.

Some of the most popular and successful BRC-20 NFT projects in 2023 include:

  • ORDI: ORDI is a collection of 20,000 unique and generative NFTs representing the ordinal numbers from 1 to 20,000. ORDI is a minimalist and elegant project that celebrates the beauty and simplicity of numbers. ORDI also has a social and charitable aspect, where each NFT holder can choose a social media handle to display on their NFT, and a portion of the sales proceeds are donated to various charities. ORDI is currently the largest BRC-20 NFT project by total sales, with over $208 million and over 2,440 transactions.
  • $RATS: RATS is a collection of 461,194 unique and generative NFTs representing different types of rats. They are one of the most popular and successful BRC-20 NFT projects in 2023. $RATS BRC-20 NFTs are not only collectibles but also playable characters in a metaverse game that is being developed by the team. The NFTs have different attributes, such as color, size, fur, eyes, ears, tail, and accessories, affecting their game performance and value. They also have a royalty system, creating a passive income stream and incentivizing quality and originality.

 

The Bottom Line

BRC-20 NFTs are soaring because they offer a new and exciting way of creating and collecting digital assets on the Bitcoin blockchain. They are innovative, scalable, diverse, and creative, with a loyal and passionate community behind them.

BRC-20 NFTs are not a fad but a force to be reckoned with in the NFT space — and they are only just getting started.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.techopedia.com/why-are-brc-20-nfts-suddenly-soaring-in-value

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

What Investors Need to Know About BRC-20 Tokens

What Investors Need to Know About BRC-20 Tokens

Previously, I have talked about Ordinal inscriptions and what it means for the future of Bitcoin. Here’s an update on the BRC-20 token.

BRC-20 is a new experimental fungible token standard designed for the Bitcoin blockchain, inspired by Ethereum’s ERC-20 token. In the last few weeks, you may have heard this term from your friends or seen posts on social media about BRC-20 memes and NFTs.

As of May 2, the combined market capitalization of over 8,800 BRC-20 tokens was $137 million, a remarkable 682% increase from $17.5 million just a week ago. But a week after, as of May 9, the market capitalization of BRC-20 Bitcoin tokens had exceeded $1 billion, and within the previous 24 hours, there was a total trading volume of $207.7 million. These tokens can be tracked on brc-20.io or traded on Ordswap. Some of them are also available on Gate. As more wallet providers and more centralized exchanges integrate, I believe there will be more movements within their ecosystem.

What is BRC-20?

This standard was created for the Bitcoin blockchain by an anonymous on-chain analyst called Domo. It is being used to issue and transfer fungible tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain. BRC-20 is similar to the ERC-20 token standard used on the Ethereum blockchain but specifically designed for Bitcoin. BRC-20 uses Ordinal inscriptions of JavaScript Object Notation to deploy token contracts and mint and transfer tokens.

BRC-20 tokens are stored on the Bitcoin base chain and built with the help of Ordinals and Inscriptions. An Inscription or Ordinal is a unique number attached to a specific piece of digital content, such as an image, video, or text, stored on the Bitcoin blockchain. Inscriptions are generated using a special protocol that ensures their uniqueness and immutability, making them valuable digital assets that can be bought, sold, and traded just like NFTs. These tokens can be attributed to satoshis and then traded or swapped with others, just like other tokens.

Adding on to the above points and to give some context, BRC-20 tokens were made possible by a loophole in Bitcoin’s 2021 Taproot upgrade, which allowed for the attachment of small amounts of arbitrary data to each transaction to limit the amount of data stored on the blockchain. BRC-20 tokens use this feature to add additional data to individual satoshis, which can then be used to create various types of assets and tokens.

How different are BRC-20 and ERC-20?

The BRC-20 token standard utilizes the proof of work (PoW) mechanism, while the ERC-20 uses the proof of stake (PoS) mechanism. PoW is a consensus mechanism in blockchain networks to validate transactions and add new blocks to the chain.

In PoW, miners compete against one another to solve complex mathematical problems using high-powered computational devices. PoS protocols are a class of consensus mechanisms for blockchains that work by selecting validators in proportion to their quantity of holdings in the associated cryptocurrency.

Unlike PoW, which relies on solving complex computational problems, PoS requires validators to stake a certain amount of cryptocurrency before participating in the consensus process. Validators are chosen based on the amount of cryptocurrency they have staked, with those who have staked more having a higher probability of being selected to validate transactions.

The significant difference between the two networks is EVM (Ethereum virtual machine) compatibility. The BRC-20 token standard does not support smart contracts, which limits the ability of developers to create different programmable tokens and financial products.

Understanding memecoins popularity

Due to the explosive growth of the BRC-20 token standard, particularly with the introduction of memecoins such as Pepe and Memetic, these coins are becoming increasingly popular on BRC-20. In just four days, the BRC-20 token market capitalization has soared from $95 million to $279 million, with over 13,530 tokens currently in circulation. The top five BRC-20 tokens, Ordi, Pepe, Piza, Memetic, and Moon, make up 86.55% of the total market capitalization.

Memecoins may be moving to BRC-20 due to the Ethereum network becoming congested by these coins. One notable meme token, Pepe, has contributed significantly to this congestion. BRC-20 tokens, which are an experimental token standard on the Bitcoin blockchain modeled after Ethereum’s ERC-20 tokens, enable developers to create and transmit fungible tokens through the Ordinals protocol. The rise of memecoins has made BRC-20 tokens more popular in the cryptocurrency community.

 

It’s important to note that the number of daily transactions on the Bitcoin network hit a new record of 682,000 recently, up from 250,000 daily transactions at the beginning of 2023. As a result, all BRC-20 transactions must take place on-chain, which has rapidly filled up the limited space in Bitcoin blocks. Due to memecoins and BRC-20s, Bitcoin and Ethereum fees have soared.

 

What to look out for on BRC-20

 

The surge in memecoins’ popularity on BRC-20 can be attributed to the explosive growth of the BRC-20 token standard and the congestion on the Ethereum network caused by memecoins. This is like teaser marketing in my point of view.

 

One of the primary use cases for BRC-20 tokens is in the area of decentralized finance (DeFi). BRC-20 tokens have found utility in decentralized finance applications like lending, borrowing, and yield farming. Unlike rigid Bitcoin, BRC-20 tokens are more flexible and can be used in various decentralized financial applications.

Another use case for BRC-20 tokens is peer-to-peer transfers. BRC-20 tokens utilize the Bitcoin network and can be moved between wallets on the network. The most basic thing one could do with a BRC-20 token is to transfer it to their peers as a representation of value. In the future, I would foresee that the demand for real asset tokenization on BRC-20 will continue to grow.

The development of BRC-20 tokens is continuing at a rapid pace, and it is likely that more use cases will emerge in the future. The impact of BRC-20 tokens has been significant, considering they began as an experiment. The tokens have exploded in popularity in the crypto community, and over 14,000 BRC-20 tokens are deployed on Bitcoin compared to an estimated 400 million on Ethereum. This means that there is still lots of room for growth.

 

Source: https://intpolicydigest.org/what-investors-need-to-know-about-brc-20-tokens/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j