What Are Bitcoin NFTs? A Reference Guide to All Three Protocols
Counterparty, Ordinals, and Bitcoin Stamps are the three protocols that handle non-fungible assets on Bitcoin in 2026. The reference starting point.
The Reference
Articles
Every reference piece in order, newest first. Each article is sourced to the protocol documentation, the people who built it, or the on-chain record itself.
Counterparty: Bitcoin's Original NFT Protocol (2014-Present)
A decade before Ordinals existed, Counterparty was already issuing non-fungible assets on Bitcoin. How it worked, why it still works, and why most NFT histories skip past it.
Ordinals and Inscriptions Explained
Casey Rodarmor's protocol, launched January 2023. How inscriptions actually work, what BRC-20 added, and why Bitcoin's chain size has been a contested topic since.
Bitcoin Stamps (SRC-20 / SRC-721): What They Are and How They Differ
Mike In Space's March 2023 protocol. UTXO-based, unprunable, 24x24 pixel hard limit. What it does that Ordinals doesn't.
A Timeline of Bitcoin NFTs: 2014 to Today
From the Counterparty launch in January 2014 to the Magic Eden exit in February 2026. The full timeline with dates verified against contemporaneous reporting.
Counterparty vs Ordinals vs Stamps: Honest Trade-offs
Side-by-side comparison of the three Bitcoin NFT protocols. Architecture, permanence, cost, community. No marketing, just the actual differences.
The Magic Eden Exit: What It Means for Bitcoin NFT Buyers
In February 2026, Magic Eden announced it was shutting down its Bitcoin NFT marketplace. What that means for the ecosystem, the alternatives, and the cycle this caps.
The Best Bitcoin NFT Wallets in 2026
Different protocols need different wallets. A practical breakdown of what works for Counterparty assets, Ordinals, and Stamps in 2026.
How to Buy Bitcoin NFTs Without Getting Burned
Where to buy, how to verify, common scams to avoid. A practical guide for anyone new to Bitcoin NFTs.
Why Bitcoin NFTs Are Structurally Different from Ethereum NFTs
UTXO model vs account model. On-chain content vs off-chain references. The architecture differences that make Bitcoin NFTs behave differently from anything on Ethereum.