FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ordinal Punks?
Ordinal Punks are a pioneering collection of 100 pixel art profile pictures (PFPs) permanently inscribed on the Bitcoin blockchain. Created by anonymous developer FlowStay, this collection holds the distinction of being the first PFP collection ever inscribed on Bitcoin, marking a significant milestone in Bitcoin's evolution beyond just a currency.
The artwork draws inspiration from the iconic CryptoPunks by LarvaLabs, featuring similar pixelated character designs that have become synonymous with the NFT movement. Each Ordinal Punk exists as an inscription on the Bitcoin blockchain, with inscription numbers ranging from #407 to #642, placing them among the earliest inscriptions ever created.
Unlike traditional NFTs that typically live on Ethereum or other smart contract platforms, Ordinal Punks leverage Bitcoin's Ordinals protocol to store the actual image data directly on the Bitcoin blockchain itself. This means each punk is permanently and immutably preserved on the most secure and decentralized blockchain in existence.How much did Ordinal Punks cost?
Ordinal Punks launched with a fair mint model in the early days of the Ordinals protocol (January 2023), when the technology was still in its infancy. Each Ordinal Punk was priced at 0.01 BTC ($230 at the time) during the initial mint, making them accessible to early adopters who believed in the potential of Bitcoin inscriptions.
The minting process was completely random and fair - users couldn't choose which punk they would receive. Instead, each Ordinal Punk was randomly generated using an algorithm called “PunksNotDead,” ensuring that every minter had an equal chance at receiving rare traits. This approach prevented any preferential treatment or insider advantages during the distribution.
After all 100 Ordinal Punks were minted, the collection was permanently closed. Today, the only way to acquire an Ordinal Punk is through secondary marketplaces like MagicEden.
Is there an Ordinal Punks community?
Yes, Ordinal Punks has a active community, mostly in the official Ordinal Punks Discord and users can also stay updated through the official Ordinal Punks X account. These can be found at the top navbar on this website.
What are the benefits of owning Ordinal Punks?
Owning an Ordinal Punk doesn't come with traditional utility or physical benefits - and that's by design. These are pure digital artifacts, meant to be collected and appreciated for what they represent rather than what they provide.
The primary benefit of owning an Ordinal Punk is holding a piece of Bitcoin and digital art history. As the first PFP collection ever inscribed on Bitcoin, Ordinal Punks represent a pivotal moment when Bitcoin evolved beyond just being digital money. Your punk serves as permanent proof that you own part of this historic milestone.