Maria Irene
Casey Rodarmor recently posted about shifting gears to focus on a new project: Runestone. In the tweet, Rodarmor emphasized that Runestone would not recognize runes below a future block height, effectively pushing the pause button on the frenetic pace of development. He cited the need for a more thoughtful approach to the subtle details of the protocol as his rationale for the pivot. This move is surprising, to say the least, especially given that various market players had already started announcing, and in some cases releasing, their versions of Runes.
The message is a stark contrast to Ordinals Wallet’s recent tweet, which was far less accommodating: “Fuck what anyone says, we’re going to build the best Runes implementation the world has ever seen.” Clearly, Ordinals Wallet has no intention of slowing down. They’re sticking to their guns, betting that their interpretation of Runes will be the one that eventually becomes the standard, come hell or high water.
Runestone represents a significant departure, if not a full-scale pivot, from the original concept of Runes. The protocol’s new direction adds an extra layer of complexity to the already challenging landscape. While some may argue that this could be a prudent move aimed at refining the protocol and preventing potential issues, it does open the door to criticism that Runes — once hailed as an elegantly simple solution — is at risk of becoming as convoluted as the very protocols it sought to replace.
Rodarmor’s emphasis on not rushing the implementation and considering the subtle nuances of the protocol deserves attention and consideration. However, the crypto world isn’t known for its patience. Market players are naturally competitive, and the first-to-market advantage can often lead to becoming the de facto standard. That’s why Ordinals Wallet’s determination to press on with their version of Runes could either be seen as a bold move that cements them as leaders in this space or a high-stakes gamble that might leave them isolated.
In the midst of all this uncertainty, Trac also threw its hat in the ring with the recent announcement of the PIPE protocol. Their approach aims to fill the gaps where RUNES and BRC-20 fall short, particularly in allowing for fair mints and centralized distribution mechanisms. The team behind Trac seems to be taking a more measured approach, opting for a blend of features from both RUNES and BRC-20, perhaps a nod to the risks of being too disruptive in an already chaotic environment.
It’s a convoluted picture, to say the least, and there’s no telling how it will resolve. Will the community rally behind Rodarmor’s slower, more methodical approach with Runestone? Or will the mavericks at Ordinals Wallet set the pace, leaving everyone else to play catch-up? Or perhaps Trac’s PIPE will emerge as the balance between innovation and caution. Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: the chapter on Bitcoin-based fungible tokens is far from closed, and the next few pages are likely to be as unpredictable as they are crucial.
