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Taproot Wizards Debut Sale of Bitcoin NFTs ‘Quantum Cats’ Marred by Tech Issues

31 January 2024
taproot wizards debut sale of bitcoin nfts quantum cats marred by tech issues

The debut sale of Taproot Wizards’ Bitcoin NFT collection, “Quantum Cats,” was plagued by technical issues, causing frustration among users and prompting a delay in the launch. The sale, which featured around 3,000 digital cats, began with a whitelist window but had to be postponed due to server capacity concerns. The collection was priced at 0.1 BTC ($4,300) each, potentially raising over 300 BTC ($13 million) if fully sold. Despite the setback, Taproot Wizards had previously secured $7.5 million in seed funding, reflecting the high expectations for NFT projects within the Ordinals protocol.

Taproot Wizards Debut Sale of Bitcoin NFTs ‘Quantum Cats’ Marred by Tech Issues

Background of Taproot Wizards’ ‘Quantum Cats’ Collection

Taproot Wizards, a project of the Ordinals protocol, recently launched their much-anticipated debut collection of “Quantum Cats” Bitcoin NFTs. The collection was designed to pay homage to a Bitcoin improvement proposal known as OP_CAT. The project gained significant attention due to its focus on inscriptions from the Ordinals protocol, which allows for the creation of NFTs on the Bitcoin network. The first item in the collection, called “Genesis Cat,” was sold via Sotheby’s auction house for an impressive $254,000.

Technical Issues Faced During Sale

Unfortunately, the debut sale of the “Quantum Cats” collection was marred by technical issues. The two-hour whitelist window, which was scheduled to take place on Monday, had to be postponed until Tuesday due to the encountered problems. Taproot Wizards cited overwhelming demand as the cause of the technical difficulties, stating that their servers were unable to handle the number of people attempting to participate in the sale.

Impact on Sales and Revenue

The technical issues had a significant impact on the overall sales and revenue for Taproot Wizards. The collection was priced at 0.1 BTC ($4,300) per NFT, and it was estimated that the project could have raised upwards of 300 BTC ($13 million) if the entire series of 3,000 cats had been sold. However, due to the delay caused by the technical issues, only around 30% of the cats were minted on the first day of the sale, equating to nearly 1,000 cats and approximately 100 BTC ($4.3 million).

Apologies from Taproot Wizards

In response to the technical issues and the frustrations experienced by users, Udi Wertheimer, one of the co-founders of Taproot Wizards, issued an apology during a live session on the social-media platform X. Wertheimer acknowledged the glitches and expressed his understanding that the experience fell short of expectations. The team at Taproot Wizards is working to address the technical issues and ensure a smoother experience for future sales.

Reactions and Complaints from Users

Many users expressed their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the technical issues during the sale of the “Quantum Cats” collection. The project’s Discord channel was filled with complaints, with one user describing the minting experience as one of the worst they had ever witnessed. The frustrations stemmed from the inability to participate in the sale and the overall inconvenience caused by the delay. Taproot Wizards is actively engaging with users to address their concerns and offer solutions.

Overview of Ordinals Protocol and NFTs on Bitcoin

The Ordinals protocol provides a means to create NFTs on the Bitcoin network by allowing the inscription of data into satoshis, the smallest units of Bitcoin. This functionality has sparked both interest and controversy within the Bitcoin community. Some users argue that these NFTs on Bitcoin congest the network and serve no real purpose, while others see the potential for new and innovative use cases for blockchain technology.

Controversies Surrounding the Protocol

The introduction of the Ordinals protocol and the concept of NFTs on Bitcoin has generated heated debates within the Bitcoin community. Critics argue that the protocol unnecessarily adds congestion to the network, potentially compromising its scalability and efficiency. However, proponents of the Ordinals protocol see it as a way to bring new possibilities to the Bitcoin ecosystem, allowing for the tokenization of unique digital assets on the most secure and established blockchain network.

Genesis Cat’s Sale on Sotheby’s

Prior to the debut sale of the “Quantum Cats” collection, the first item in the series, “Genesis Cat,” was sold through a Sotheby’s auction. The rare digital artwork fetched an impressive $254,000, demonstrating the market’s interest in NFTs and the potential value attributed to these unique creations. The successful sale of “Genesis Cat” further fueled anticipation for the Taproot Wizards’ debut sale and underscored the demand for Bitcoin-based NFTs.

Taproot Wizards’ Funding and Expectations

Taproot Wizards raised $7.5 million in a seed funding round in November, highlighting the high expectations and investor interest surrounding projects focused on Bitcoin NFTs. The successful fundraising round further validated the potential for growth and innovation within this niche market. The debut sale of the “Quantum Cats” collection was seen as an opportunity for Taproot Wizards to demonstrate its capabilities and generate revenue to fuel further development and expansion.

Future Developments and Improvements

In light of the technical issues faced during the debut sale, Taproot Wizards is actively working to address the shortcomings and improve the user experience for future sales. The team behind the project understands the importance of delivering a seamless and accessible platform for participants. It is expected that Taproot Wizards will implement measures to handle increased demand and mitigate potential technical difficulties in future sales. Additionally, the project will likely focus on expanding its collection and exploring new avenues for collaboration and innovation within the Bitcoin NFT space.

In conclusion, while the debut sale of Taproot Wizards’ “Quantum Cats” collection was marred by technical issues, it is important to recognize the underlying potential and interesting developments within the Bitcoin NFT market. The Ordinals protocol and the ability to create NFTs on Bitcoin have sparked both controversy and excitement within the community. With the right improvements and continued innovation, projects like Taproot Wizards have the potential to shape the future of NFTs on the Bitcoin network and offer unique opportunities for creators and collectors alike.


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