Due to the introduction of the non-fungible token (NFT) Ordinals protocol in January 2023, the average size of a Bitcoin block has surpassed 2.5 megabytes (MB) for the first time since the cryptocurrency’s founding in 2009. This marks a new historical record. for the cryptocurrency.

According to statistics obtained from Blockchain.com, the size of Bitcoin blocks increased by more than 2MB in the weeks after the Ordinals Protocol debuted. This increase in block size dates back to early February 2023.

Software developer Casey Rodarmor introduced the Ordinals protocol in January. This protocol makes it possible for users of the Bitcoin network to create “digital artifacts.” These can include JPEG photos, PDF documents, as well as audio and video files.

In the Ordinals documentation, Rodarmor explains that each of these digital objects can be enrolled in a single satoshi, which is one of the component parts of a Bitcoin. The value of one bitcoin is equal to 100,000,000 satoshis.

Individual satoshis have the ability to be printed with any type of data, allowing for the creation of unique digital artifacts that are original to Bitcoin. These artifacts can be stored in bitcoin wallets and moved through bitcoin transactions. The permanence, immutability, security, and decentralization of enrollments are on par with Bitcoin itself.

The Bitcoin community is divided on the question of whether or not it should be possible to record digital items on the block chain, and the reasons both for and against the proposal provide plenty of food for thought. The increased use of block space for the inscription of various ordinals has become one of the main topics of discussion.

From July 2021 to February 2023, the typical size of a Bitcoin block has ranged from 0.7 to 1.5 megabytes. The average size of a Bitcoin block topped 2 megabytes for the first time on February 5, and is now hovering around 2.2 megabytes at the time of writing.

According to statistics obtained by Glassnode, the introduction of Bitcoin Ordinals has also resulted in the network reaching a new high of 44 million non-zero addresses.

The most recent issue of the Glassnode newsletter mentions that ordinals are competing for block space demand even though they have yet to materially influence network pricing.

Glassnode referred to the introduction of Ordinals as a “new and unique point in the history of Bitcoin.” This is because innovation can promote network activity even without the “classic transfer of currency volume for monetary purposes.”