Unpacking the Buzz: Christie’s New York’s Bitcoin Ordinals Debut
In an exciting development for the NFT and digital art world, Christie’s New York has announced its inaugural Bitcoin ordinals auction titled “Ordinal Maxi Biz (OMB).” Spearheaded by the visionary ZK Shark, this pioneering event showcases a curated selection of 5,141 unique one-of-one Profile Picture (PFP) NFTs. These NFTs stand out with their distinctive eye colors—Red, Blue, Green, and Orange—adding a layer of rarity and allure.
Art Meets Blockchain Innovation
What sets the OMB collection apart is its historical significance; it includes the first artworks ever inscribed on some of the oldest Bitcoin Satoshis, thanks to the artistic ingenuity of Tony Tafuro and berkin bags. This endeavor was made possible by the contributions of Nullish, a connoisseur of rare Satoshis. Highlighting the collection’s prestige, some pieces are inscribed on Satoshis from block 9, mined by none other than Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, and block 78, mined by the legendary Hal Finney.
Christie’s New York is thrilled to present for the first time, a Bitcoin ordinals online auction: Ordinal Maxi Biz (OMB) @OrdinalMaxiBiz. The sale features a grouping of works selected by creator @ZK_shark. We’re offering unique 1/1 PFPs of varying eye color traits consisting of…
— Christie’s (@ChristiesInc) April 9, 2024
A Charitable Twist
Adding a philanthropic angle to the auction, the proceeds from Lot 1 will be generously donated to a charity chosen by the seller. This gesture not only enhances the value of the collection but also underscores the community-driven ethos often seen in the NFT and crypto spaces.
Bidding Dynamics
The auction, which is set to run from April 9 to 16, offers participants the flexibility to place bids in both USD and BTC, catering to a global audience of art collectors and cryptocurrency enthusiasts alike.
Nicole Sales Giles: A Visionary in Digital Art
Behind this groundbreaking sale is Nicole Sales Giles, VP and Director of Digital Art Sales at Christie’s, who has been instrumental in integrating digital art and NFTs into the mainstream auction market. Since joining Christie’s in 2012, Giles has been at the forefront of the digital art revolution, leading the historic sale of Beeple’s “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” and launching Christie’s 3.0, an on-chain NFT platform.
TL;DR
Christie’s New York is making waves with its first Bitcoin ordinals auction, “Ordinal Maxi Biz,” featuring unique NFTs and artworks inscribed on ancient Bitcoin Satoshis. This sale not only highlights the fusion of art and blockchain technology but also showcases Christie’s commitment to innovation and philanthropy.