Bitcoin's BRC-20 Tokens Spark Controversy and Congestion

The recent surge in popularity of BRC-20 tokens, which are fungible tokens created using the non-fungible Ordinals protocol, has led to soaring costs for users on the Bitcoin network. Fees to send coins are skyrocketing, transactions are taking longer, and some users and exchanges are considering alternatives like the Lightning Network. The surge in fees has caused frustration and distress in certain parts of Africa and Latin America where some residents rely on bitcoin for everyday payments. The ability to mint enormous token supplies out of thin air is what's behind the hysteria and angst, with some suggesting without evidence that the BRC-20 phenomenon is actually a coordinated attack on the world's dominant blockchain.