Using the template construction tool of its mine pool, the core contributors of Bitcoin embed the company's logo into the Bitcoin block, showing an innovative data visualization form in the blockchain api space.
The craft of building block art
The concept of block art includes carefully arranging transactions in Bitcoin blocks to form visual patterns or images.
On March 26th, when Marathon Digital announced the successful mining of Block 836361 (affectionately known as "Block M"), this art form was exposed.
Visualization visible on the blockchain api index website uses a combination of square blocks and color gradients to depict the marathon logo based on transaction scale and rate.
This morning, we excavated the M block on #Bitcoin, which is a visual demonstration of marathon template construction ability and vertical technology stack. https://t.co/cXSHnobzPg pic.twitter.com/zwwUbXWHRY
—— Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ: MARA) (@MarathonDH), March 26th, 2024.
Explore new creative ways.
Although Marathon Digital has not put forward the idea of block art creation as a commercial service, this move highlights a novel artistic exploration in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
The company pointed out that having a mining pool can carefully sequence transactions, which opens up the possibility of creative expression that has not been explored in this field before.
Technical complexity and network considerations
The creation of block art makes use of the OP_RETURN transaction, which allows arbitrary data to be included in Bitcoin transactions. By carefully making and sequencing these transactions, a predetermined image or pattern appears in the block visualization.
This complicated process involves a considerable degree of trial and error and the modification of mining software to give priority to the transactions needed by works of art rather than those that maximize profits.
Marathon also emphasized the importance of excluding these art blocks from the complete FPPS calculation to maintain an accurate estimation of miners' fees and reduce the potential impact on network fees.
Community participation and response
The block art project has aroused concern and curiosity in the Bitcoin community. Data like Bitcoin Gandalf show that the total cost paid for the expected output is $122,524, which is paid by the marathon itself.
Why did MARA Pool of Marathon Digital Holdings only dig a block with the company logo?
I'll talk about it, but first, there are some things I haven't seen anyone talk about.
Each colored square represents a transaction in the box.
2. To achieve this visual effect, building blocks, pic.twitter.com/LFIqSfsiSf
-Other IT Coin Gandalf (@ BTC Gandalf) March 26, 2024
This effort not only demonstrates the technical strength of the marathon but also contributes to the continuous dialogue between the versatility of blockchain api technology and potential applications.
With the continuous innovation of marathon numbers in the mining field, including the recently launched direct Bitcoin transaction submission service, the exploration of block art emphasizes the integration of creativity and technology, which is characteristic of the continuous development of cryptocurrency.