Today, bitcoin mining pool Via btc has officially mined block 840,000, which not only marks the beginning of bitcoin's fourth halving, but also includes what the Ordinals numbering system has deemed an “epic sat,” which is the first satoshi (largest unit). small of one bitcoin) of each halving epoch. .
Ordinals, satoshis numbering schemes, have generated controversy but have also created an emerging market since their launch. These satoshis can also be classified by rarity, with “epic satoshis” being among the rarest, because they only occur in each halving epoch, which is every 210,000 blocks or approximately every four years. This scarcity has made these satoshis more valuable among those participating in the Ordinals market.
Ordinal rarity has been labeled with six different ranges, as described below.
Ordinal rarity levels:
+common: Any sat that is not the first sat in its block
+ uncommon: the first sat of each block
+rare: the first sat of each difficulty adjustment period
+ epic: the first sat of each halving epoch
+ legendary: The first sat of each cycle.
+ mythical: The first sat of the genesis block.
The value of an epic satoshi is significant enough to attract the attention of miners, developers, investors, and collectors. bitcoin block 840,000, which coincides with the halving, includes an epic satoshi, intensifying interest in the first block of the halving.
Marketplaces for Ordinals lists rare satoshi at prices higher than what 1 normal satoshi is usually worth at any given time. These markets include high-end auction houses such as Sotheby's, indicating widespread interest and attention.
As ordinal and related markets continue to grow, questions arise about their impact on the bitcoin ecosystem. The introduction of new protocols like Runes adds complexity, attracting miners and investors looking for opportunities in this evolving landscape, as incentives linked to “rare satoshis” and Ordinals could introduce new strategies among bitcoin miners.
