Casey Rodarmor's Runes protocol, introduced in September 2023, revolutionizes token creation and management on the Bitcoin network.

Runes utilizes the OP_RETURN function to simplify transactions with new assets, reducing blockchain congestion.

Compared to BRC-20, Runes offers direct support for UTXO Bitcoin, Lightning Network compatibility, and various transaction types like etching, minting, transferring, and burning through standardized code templates known as 'runestones.'

Runes provides responsible UTXO management and less I/O, attracting NFT and meme coin communities with its flexibility and additional features.

The ecosystem has over 8,000 projects launched, including Bitcoin Rune and tokens like Runestone, thriving despite scalability and regulatory challenges.

Runes incentivize miners, offer a secure platform, and drive innovation within the Bitcoin network, potentially transforming fungible tokens and enhancing usability.