Leonidas.og, the developer behind the Ordinals Protocol, has unleashed an exciting update, designated No. 2167, introducing a concept called “recursive inscriptions.”
This groundbreaking development aims to shatter the 4MB barrier that currently restricts Bitcoin inscriptions. Drawing inspiration from BRC721, the proposal suggests that while individual inscriptions must remain within the 4MB limit, combining them can surpass this threshold.
The enigmatic Leonidas.og, known for their active presence on Twitter, recently expressed their bewilderment regarding recursive inscriptions.
In response, they provided a comprehensive breakdown of this new feature. Previously, the Ordinals Protocol allowed users to independently inscribe files onto the Bitcoin blockchain, unaware of other inscriptions.
However, with recursive inscriptions, a simple “/-/content/:inscription_id” syntax can be employed to request the content of other inscriptions, transforming the landscape of possibilities.
This innovation unlocks a myriad of powerful applications. For instance, instead of individually inscribing 10,000 JPEG files for a collection, which would prove costly, one could inscribe the 200 traits from the collection and subsequently create 10,000 additional inscriptions.
Each inscription could utilize a small amount of code to request traits and generate images programmatically, resulting in the same outcome. By storing art on-chain more efficiently, this advancement has the potential to save millions of dollars in transaction fees, as exemplified by BitcoinApes.
Inscribing Code Packages On Bitcoin For Generative Art
Furthermore, developers like OnChainMonkey have taken this concept even further. They have fully inscribed the p5.js and Three.js npm packages on the Bitcoin blockchain and utilized recursion to invoke these packages in their upcoming Dimensions drop.
This novel approach allowed them to create visually stunning 3D art in under 1 KB. The beauty of this development lies in its accessibility, as these inscribed packages become public goods, enabling anyone to create inexpensive generative art using them.
The implications extend beyond individual projects. With many code packages uploaded to the blockchain, a vast repository emerges, empowering developers to build on top of existing resources.
It opens up unprecedented possibilities, including storing complex software, such as an entire 3D video game, directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. Essentially, Bitcoin is evolving into an internal internet, where files can seamlessly request data from one another.
Although the specific applications of recursive inscriptions are yet to be fully realized, this moment undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in the history of Bitcoin.
Soon, explorers like the official ordinals explorer and ord_io will support recursive inscriptions, effectively transforming them into Bitcoin web browsers.
The potential for innovation and exploration within this new paradigm is limitless, signifying a significant turning point for Bitcoin and its future.
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