08/03/2024 Bitcoin NFT NodeMonkes Sells for $1M as BTC Inches Toward $69K

Bitcoin-based collections traded more volume than Ethereum collections in the past 24 hours, which shows network adoption as bitcoin prices inch closer to highs.

Digital pictures of pixellated comic monkeys on the Bitcoin blockchain became the most-traded Ordinals collection in the past 24 hours as a bitcoin(BTC)rally shows no signs of slowing.

Called NodeMonkes, the collection crossed over $11 million in sales volumes, Cryptoslamdata shows, setting an all-time high on Monday. The project went live in December 2023 at an initial listing price of nearly $9,000.

The collection claims to be the first 10,000-count profile picture collection on Ordinals, a way to inscribe text, data and art on individual fragments of bitcoin.

While NodeMonkes launched in December 2023, the actual artwork was imprinted on Bitcoin in February last year, before other early collections such as Bitcoin Frogs and Space Pepes. Such an aspect gives the collection a sense of exclusivity and rarity in the eyes of investors.

One such “monke” sold for over $1 million worth of bitcoin earlier Monday. The floor price – or the minimum price of a certain piece – is at least $52,000, while owners of monkes deemed to be rarer have set a listing price ofas high as $65 million.

SOLD: Alien Hoodie (#2769) for 17 btc ($1,080,000) on M.E.

The first million dollar monke sale.

Congratulations to buyer & seller.

—— SEND NODES ——pic.twitter.com/9DrvZBJH2X

— NodeMonkes ◉ (@nodemonkes)March 4, 2024

As such, Bitcoin-based collections traded the most volumes in the past 24 hours at $35 million compared to the usual leader, Ethereum (at $22 million) – indicating a surge in demand for Bitcoin-based assets.

Bitcoin NFT sales surpassed those of Ethereum. (Cryptoslam)Bitcoin NFT sales surpassed those of Ethereum. (Cryptoslam)

Some observers expect such Ordinals activity to continue in March.

“Ordinal inscriptions have been heating up immensely and should be a major focal point of March,” shared Mark Wilson, a representative at meme coin project Dogelon Mars, in a Telegram message. “The Runes protocol will also be highly anticipated as we approach April and the halving.”

Bitcoin crossed the $65,000 mark earlier Monday, adding nearly 5.4% in the past 24 hours. TheCD20, a broad-based liquid index of various tokens, jumped nearly 5.8%.

Arts

bitcoin-nft-nodemonkes-sells-for-1m-as-btc-inches-toward-69k

Interesting NFTs
Yoshida on the Tokaido Highway, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) Yoshida on the Tokaido Highway, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji 1831 - Japan
No Future #3/15
None.
Another Day In Paradise
Just as the book speaks to intelligence, the image in all its muteness speaks to the heart.
Genesis
José Delbo sent me his striking pencil sketch and powerful inked work, which I then interpreted in oil on canvas. I wanted to create a very painterly piece with obvious brush marks etc, but I was also aiming for a nostalgic feel, a kind of 1980’s superhero comic book look, the kind I grew up with. My goal with this animation was to try to recreate, in part, the creative process that both artists went through with the visual information I had. I was able to showcase my painting process more accurately as I could take photographs of my progress throughout. Consecutive images could then be layered like brush strokes over José’s drawing to create the impression that this was one continuous artwork from pencil, to ink, to completed painting. The representation of the line sketch at the beginning, then pencil/ink and lastly the paint layers being applied demonstrate both artists’ struggle for the right lines, tone, form, and colour until the work is finally completed. As the oil was still wet with each photograph the glare of my studio lights can be seen in the brush strokes. Eventually, the figure emerges and as it does, our hero comes to life, looking directly at the viewer -- but is he grimacing in approval or disgust? We will never know for sure as just before he can say anything, white paint is brushed across the canvas entirely and the process begins again. Only the bat is quick enough to escape.
Sad Chewie #1
In December 2015, inspired by the most infamous movie patricide in cinema history, I wondered how Han’s co-pilot might fare on his first New Year’s Eve without his closest friend. The first Sad Chewie cartoon was a viral sensation, spawning a series that took social media by storm, as the woeful wookie navigated his solo path through life. Those first dozen panels of pathos are now available as a series of NFTs guaranteed to make you smile as they break your heart. 1/1, Dimensions: 2074 × 2592