Taproot Wizards to Hold First-Ever Public Auction for Exclusive Bitcoin Ordinals Collection
Highly Anticipated ‘Wizards’ NFTs, Minted Two Years Ago, Set to Go on Sale This Month
Bitcoin Ordinals project Taproot Wizards is preparing to open its coveted Wizards NFT collection to the public for the first time, breaking the exclusivity of its whitelisted release. Announced on Tuesday, the long-awaited auction will kick off on March 25, marking the first time these NFTs—minted two years ago—will be available for purchase.
A Limited Collection Steeped in Bitcoin History
With only 2,121 Wizards in existence, these unique digital collectibles pay homage to Bitcoin’s past, drawing inspiration from an early MS Paint meme that became an unofficial mascot of the cryptocurrency in its early days. However, 13 honorary Wizards remain uninscribed and will not be included in this auction.
Each Wizard features a distinctive berobed figure, typically clad in a blue cloak and hat, reflecting the whimsy of Bitcoin’s cultural evolution. Throughout the collection, various references celebrate Bitcoin lore, with some Wizards designed to resemble well-known figures like Casa founder Jameson Lopp and crypto influencer Cobie. Other NFTs include nods to McDonald’s, The Bitcoin Standard, and even the infamous tulip bubble—a playful wink at historical financial speculation.
The Minds Behind Taproot Wizards and the Future of Bitcoin Ordinals
Taproot Wizards was co-founded by prominent Bitcoin commentators Udi Wertheimer and Eric Wall, the same team behind Quantum Cats, the most valuable Ordinals collection by market cap. Their mission? To push the boundaries of Bitcoin’s technical capabilities while reviving the playful essence of "magic internet money."
A major aspect of their work revolves around OP_CAT, a historical yet underutilized Bitcoin opcode that could unlock Ethereum-like programmability within Bitcoin. Originally included in Satoshi Nakamoto’s early Bitcoin code but later disabled, OP_CAT is now at the center of discussions on expanding Bitcoin’s scripting potential.
Wertheimer sees OP_CAT as an essential tool for Bitcoin’s evolution, predicting it will lead to a surge of new protocols, similar to the experimental frenzy seen on Ethereum and Solana in their early days. His enthusiasm is backed by significant financial support—Taproot Wizards secured $30 million in funding in February, led by Standard Crypto, to help grow the OP_CAT ecosystem.
How the Auction Will Work
The first wave of Wizards NFTs was exclusively available to members of Wizard School, a Discord community where participants completed interactive quests to earn whitelist spots. These challenges ranged from engaging with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network to submitting proof-of-shower photos dressed in wizard attire—resulting in over 1,000 submissions.
Now, these whitelisted Wizards will be sold at an initial price of 0.2 BTC. The remaining assets will be sold through a Dutch auction, a format where prices start high and gradually decrease until buyers step in. Additionally, holders of two "entangled" Quantum Cats tokens will be eligible for a discount, allowing them to purchase a Wizard for 0.1 BTC.
This isn’t Taproot Wizards’ first time making waves. Back in February 2023, the minting of Taproot Wizard #0001 resulted in a 4MB Bitcoin block, the largest at the time—a move that sparked debate over network congestion and the growing use of Bitcoin for NFTs.
As the March 25 auction date approaches, all eyes will be on Taproot Wizards to see just how much demand remains for Bitcoin-native digital collectibles—and whether their vision for a more experimental Bitcoin ecosystem will continue to gain traction.
