Bitcoin Ecosystem: Dark Horse Keeps Galloping
Bitcoin, as an on-chain ecosystem rather than just a trusted store of value, often gets overshadowed by the constant developments in and around EVM and SVM*.
But occasionally, something shakes things up, making Bitcoin feel much more ‘daily drivable,’ and taking Bitcoin excitement to a new level.
After sifting through Bitcoin’s landscape—from Layer 1 to side chains—we’ve rounded up the narratives and projects that stood out to us the most this year, whether they’re already dominating or patiently gearing up to make a splash.
Trust us, you won’t want to miss where $BTC is headed as an ecosystem.
The most prominent Bitcoin one is the Lightning Network widely used for microtransactions by merchants.
State Channels
Notable examples include Liquid Network, Stacks, Rootstock.
The latter, launched way back in 2018 and supporting EVM, has over 14.5 million transactions and 30 dApps to date.
Bitcoin's Layer 2 networks aim to address its core limitations similar to those the Ethereum blockchain faced a couple of years ago before the advent of Polygon and all the OP (Optimistic) + ZK (zero-knowledge) rollups—like slow transaction speeds and poor scalability—by processing transactions off the main chain.
L2s boost throughput, cut fees, and add programmability through smart contracts, all while preserving Bitcoin’s supreme security.
*Ethereum and Solana Virtual Machines, respectively - the programmable environment enabling DeFi (decentralized finance) via self-executing smart contracts.
BitVM Computing Paradigm
They’re temporary off-chain ledgers (not standalone blockchains) between two parties, cutting BTC transaction costs by only recording final balances on the Bitcoin network.
Rollups are also separate blockchains, but unlike sidechains, they don’t have their own consensus mechanism and instead rely on the main chain’s security. They process transactions within their own chain, compress the data, and periodically anchor cryptographic proofs to Bitcoin. Like other Layer 2 solutions, rollups boost the scalability and speed of the mainnet.
Rollups are the latest Layer 2 tech Bitcoin has gained. With developers eager to build best implementation of ‘Bitcoin on EVM,’ many rollup layers have already entered the space.
This reflects both the strong belief that Bitcoin should play a role in DeFi and the genuine demand for Bitcoin by institutions and big investors as a hedge asset that should also be able to generate passive yield, instead of just sitting idle.
Just like on Ethereum, rollup tech on Bitcoin can come in several forms:
BitVM2 and Official Bridge Touted By Creators
Assume transactions are valid unless challenged, relying on a dispute mechanism with fraud proofs.
Use cryptographic zero-knowledge proofs to verify transactions upfront, without needing disputes.
Are independent of smart contracts and settlement layers, using the base chain only for DA (data availability), which makes them potentially more secure and free from smart contract bugs.
A concept where two or more rollups are linked to share data, security, or state between them. This reduces the need for individual rollups to rely on their L1 blockchain for every verification or settlement, potentially lowering costs and speeding up ops.
DA layers like Nubit are poised be the backbone of scalable Bitcoin Layer 2s, empowering a new wave of Bitcoin-powered consumer apps.
More on it later in the article.
Besides the long-standing and quite well-known layers and players like Lightning, Liquid, and Rootstock who we mentioned above, let’s uncover some of those innovation-driven protocols that entered the game more recently and are all trying to leverage EVM, smart contracts, and wrapped BTC to seamlessly connect Bitcoin to the vast DeFi landscape.
Bitlayer’s BitVM-Powered Bridge
Recently, Bitlayer raised $11 million in a Series A funding round, backed by Franklin Templeton (institution-lead funding, baby!) and ABCDE, to scale Bitcoin’s transaction capabilities and grow its ecosystem.
Citrea: ZK Rollup with BitVM2
BitcoinOS: ‘Superlayer’ of Multiple Rollups
Babylon Chain: Bitcoin Staking Sidechain
While most blockchains have embraced Proof-of-Stake (PoS) for its efficiency, Bitcoin continues to rely on its traditional Proof-of-Work (PoW) system, which comes with challenges like slower transaction speeds.
That’s where Babylon steps in with two key innovations:
Narrative 1: Layer 2 Networks
Types of Layer 2s
Sidechains
Independent chains linked to Bitcoin via two-way pegs. Assets can be locked on the main chain and mirrored on the sidechain, where they can be transacted more efficiently. Good for running dApps (decentralized applications).
Rollups
BitVM is a system designed to bring smart contract capabilities to the Bitcoin blockchain, a feature that Bitcoin wasn’t initially built for.
Released in 2023 by dev Robin Linus, BitVM allows for more advanced computations on Bitcoin, but with key differences from EVM. While BitVM enables off-chain computations and uses a two-party system of provers and verifiers, it relies on fraud proofs similar to optimistic rollups.
However, unlike Ethereum’s EVM-based rollups, BitVM doesn’t fully integrate broader, decentralized applications and remains focused on individual interactions.
That said, BitVM is actively used to enable interoperability with EVM and other important virtual machines. Read on!
In August, the BitVM devs have already introduced BitVM2, a new ‘permissionless’ iteration.
Robin Linus has released a whitepaper outlining BitVM2 and the official BitVM Bridge, highlighting major advancements over the original BitVM model.
Robin Linus, one of the authors of BitVM | Source: Coindesk
Website.
Bitcoin Layer 2s: Our Comprehensive Look
Bitlayer: OP-Like Rollup with BitVM2 and ZK Proofs
Bitlayer is an L2 that employs BitVM tech to bring smart contract capabilities to the Bitcoin network.
Acting similarly to an optimistic rollup, Bitlayer processes transactions off-chain, reducing the load on Bitcoin’s Layer 1. It supports multiple virtual machines, including EVM, enabling compatibility with Ethereum-based dApps.
Bitlayer’s innovative features include the DLC (Discreet Log Contract) framework, which enhances secure and conditional transactions.
The Bitlayer bridge uses BitVM tech to facilitate seamless cross-chain operations between Bitcoin and EVM-compatible networks, minimizing trust assumptions.
It achieves this by harnessing BitVM’s optimistic computation model, where any user can challenge faulty operations, ensuring trustless and verifiable transactions.
Users link their BTC wallets, such as Unisat Wallet, to the Bitlayer network, and also connect an EVM-supported wallet like MetaMask.
Citrea is another Bitcoin L2 taking advantage of BitVM.
The network is designed to scale Bitcoin using zkEVM, an EVM-equivalent virtual machine that employs ZK rollups for transaction verification. It expands Bitcoin’s capabilities without altering the base layer’s consensus rules, allowing for the development of complex applications.
A week ago, Citrea’s BitVM-based bridge, Clementine, has been deployed on the Bitcoin testnet to facilitate more advanced smart contracts in the future.
Like Bitlayer, Citrea uses BitVM technology for secure cross-chain transactions, integrating fraud proofs and pre-signatures to mitigate trust risks.
Citrea raised $2.7 million in seed funding led by Galaxy.
A network of interoperable rollups, smart contracts, and near-trustless BTC payment rails, all reinforced by Bitcoin’s security. It should soon turn Bitcoin ‘into a global operating system’.
BitcoinOS says it has everything with minimal tradeoffs: scalability (able to handle large volumes of transactions while keeping the costs low), programmability (runs dApps), interoperability (communicates value with other blockchains), and a near-trustless security model (highly decentralized).
BitcoinOS Intriguing Partnerships
BitcoinOS has been partnering with some projects we’ve handpicked to feature in this read. It’s a promising sign.
For example, it’s collaborating with Nubit to solve Bitcoin’s data storage challenges, making the limitations of 4MB blocks a thing of the past.
Hemi Network: Supernetwork Ambitions
Hemi Network is a modular Layer-2 blockchain. Founded by Jeff Garzik, an early Bitcoin developer, and Max Sanchez, a blockchain security expert, Hemi employs a unique Proof-of-Proof (PoP) consensus protocol, achieving “superfinality” for faster and more secure transactions.
‘Superfinality’ simply means that transactions on the Hemi Network reach finality (the point at which they are considered irreversible) faster than on Bitcoin’s mainnet, without compromising security.
A key novelty of Hemi is its ‘Tunnels’ technology, which enables secure and trustless cross-chain transfers of assets without relying on traditional crypto bridges, significantly reducing risks associated with hacking and fraud.
In September, Hemi Labs raised $15 million in a funding round led by Binance Labs, Breyer Capital, and Big Brain Holdings, supporting its vision of combining the strengths of Bitcoin and Ethereum into a powerful ‘supernetwork’.
Bitcoin Staking
Bitcoin holders can securely lock their Bitcoin and choose which PoS chain(s) to stake for and earn yields from—without any third-party custody/bridge/wrapping.
Bitcoin Timestamping
Babylon uses Bitcoin’s blockchain to anchor concise, verifiable timestamps, allowing PoS chains to identify the canonical chain. This helps prevent long-range attacks.
BEVM: EVM-Compatible PoS Sidechain
BEVM is a Bitcoin Layer 2 sidechain that capitalized on Taproot technologies and a PoS consensus system to provide EVM compatibility, enabling dApps and smart contracts on the Bitcoin network.
It uses a cross-chain bridge powered by Bitcoin’s Musig2 and MAST protocols to manage BTC transactions and assets between Bitcoin and BEVM.
Through its architecture, BEVM facilitates using Bitcoin to pay gas fees and supports further Bitcoin-based DeFi applications.
GOAT Network: Entangled Rollup
Unlike some Bitcoin Layer 2s, whose network and revenue are controlled by project teams or foundations, GOAT Network said it will launch with a decentralized sequencer model.
There, sequencer node operators will be helping to secure the network while earning a yield on their Bitcoin and fees for activities including block production, transaction ordering and maximal extractable value (MEV) opportunities.
BOB: OP Rollup Evolving Into ZK + BitVM
BOB is a hybrid EVM-compatible Layer 2 solution built on the Optimism OP Stack. It integrates Bitcoin via Rust zkVM to enable cross-chain applications like Bitcoin-Ethereum bridges.
BOB plans to make use of BitVM for Bitcoin as its settlement layer, which, let us remind you, merges Bitcoin’s security with Ethereum’s flexibility.
Zulu Network: Utilizing ZK Proofs for DePIN L2
Zulu Network works to make Bitcoin habitable for DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks).
Zulu Network is EVM-compatible too. It tokenizes computing power, allowing users to monetize resources while staying on Bitcoin’s blockchain for secure transactions.
Moreover, Zulu is currently working on the first trust-minimized decentralized bridge implementation for BitVM.
BitVM is a recurring topic in this article, and for good reason.
Merlin Chain: New Multi-Featured Layer 2
Merlin Chain is one of the newly emerged L2s that integrates the ZK-rollup network, decentralized oracle network, DA and on-chain BTC fraud proof modules.
Noteworthy Mentions
Rollkit Framework
Rollkit was the first tool to let developers build their own rollups (sovereign type), using Bitcoin’s strong security for storing data.
With this feature, even running EVM applications on a rollup in the Bitcoin ecosystem eve n became possible.
This helped Bitcoin stay secure and created more ways for people to use it, made possible by updates like Taproot and Ordinals that make storing extra data on Bitcoin easier.
PWR Labs’ Bitcoin+: Part of Unique L0 Blockchain
Though a part of another L1, or even L0, blockchain, PWR Lab’s EVM-compatible Bitcoin+ sidechain deserves a bit of your attention today.
Bitcoin+ claims extremely low fees, near-instant finality, and exclusive use of BTC for transactions, eliminating the need for extra tokens, which keeps the ecosystem simple and efficient.
This makes Bitcoin+ ‘one of the cheapest and fastest Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions.’
Narrative 2: Liquidity Aggregation
Bitcoin’s evolution has focused on addressing its limitations in scalability, smart contracts, and liquidity. Layer 2 solutions like rollups help a lot but can fragment liquidity across networks, complicating interoperability. This placed liquidity aggregation on agenda of the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Several initiatives are working to enhance liquidity and streamline asset transfers across Bitcoin’s L1 and L2 networks.
exSat: Docking Layer for BTC Ecosystem
Powered EOS’ by Antelope, exSat is a pioneering protocol that enhances Bitcoin’s data consensus and interoperability.
As a “docking layer,” it connects different Layer 2 solutions, helping to address liquidity fragmentation by enabling seamless transfers across Bitcoin’s extended ecosystem. Through its Data Consensus Extension Protocol, exSat incorporates mechanisms like PoW (Proof of Work), PoS (Proof of Stake), and DPoS (Delegated Proof of Stake) to synchronize block data between Bitcoin miners and the exSat network.
By supporting full EVM compatibility, exSat allows for the creation of scalable smart contracts with lower fees.
BITLiquidity
BITLiquidity aggregates diverse liquidity pools to maximize trading efficiency across both Bitcoin’s Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks.
By acting as a trading aggregator, bridge, earning platform, and lending/borrowing solution, BITLiquidity offers a comprehensive approach to solving liquidity fragmentation.
It sources liquidity from multiple on-chain and off-chain venues to ensure the best rates and trading conditions. This integrated approach enhances liquidity across the Bitcoin ecosystem, making asset transfers more efficient.
Bitflow
Bitflow is another DEX (decentralized exchange) aggregator making waves within Bitcoin’s DeFi space, particularly on the Stacks chain.
It combines liquidity from multiple DEXs, AMMs (Automated Market Makers), and order books to provide users with optimal trading routes and lower slippage.
By linking fragmented liquidity across Bitcoin layers, Bitflow enhances user experience and trade execution, ultimately contributing to a more liquid and efficient Bitcoin network.
Narrative 3: DeFi
Bitcoin’s ecosystem is moving pretty fast toward offering some serious DeFi opportunities and being more versatile within dApps and financial protocols.
$BTC, wrapped and not, is actively flowing into EVM and other environments’ liquidity platforms.
Traditionally viewed as a ‘store of value,’ Bitcoin’s role is improving as it finds new uses, unlocking yield opportunities and expanding liquidity across multiple blockchains.
Wrapped Bitcoin, cbBTC, and RBTC
Initially, one of the key developments enabling this shift was wrapped Bitcoin ($wBTC), which allowed $BTC to interact with Ethereum and other smart contract-based blockchains.
$wBTC and other versions of wrapped Bitcoin are ERC-20 tokens (or equivalent) backed 1:1 with mainnet $BTC, preserving Bitcoin’s value while making it usable in DeFi protocols.
Sushi Tastes Bitcoin DeFi
A DeFi platform SushiSwap integrated with Rootstock this Summer, allowing users to leverage $RTBC—$BTC on Rootstock—within DeFi ecosystems by providing liquidity and earning yields directly on BTC.
That’s a Wrap for Coinbase
Recently, Coinbase introduced its own version of wrapped Bitcoin, $cbBTC, allowing users to hold Bitcoin on both the Ethereum Layer 1 and Coinbase’s Base Layer 2.
Users can now take out loans, earn yield, and trade on decentralized exchanges without sacrificing their exposure to Bitcoin’s price appreciation. What makes Coinbase’s offering stand out compared to earlier versions of wrapped Bitcoin like $wBTC is its emphasis on trust and ease of use.
You see, when users wrap Bitcoin, they effectively send it to a custodian who holds the original Bitcoin while issuing an equivalent amount of wrapped tokens.
With Coinbase holding 10% of the total Bitcoin supply, it has established itself as one of the most trusted custodians in the crypto space, providing a level of security that many other services can’t match.
In terms of ease of use, Coinbase simplifies the conversion process, allowing users to send Bitcoin directly from their app to Ethereum or Base addresses and have it automatically converted to $cbBTC.
15-Day Stats
In just 15 days since the launch of $cbBTC on Base and Ethereum, its circulating supply has reached 3,887 cbBTC, with a market cap of $254M.
The total DEX volume for cbBTC has hit $850M, representing 49% of all wrapped Bitcoin volume.
Pendle’s Bitcoin Yield
On another front of Bitcoin DeFi, Pendle Finance offers a juicy route for Bitcoin holders to generate yield on their assets.
Pendle’s BTC Yield Pools allow users who hold Bitcoin on centralized exchanges like Binance or Bybit to earn high APYs by converting their Bitcoin into wBTC and depositing it into Pendle’s liquidity pools.
'You see 56% APY for
$BTC on Pendle.’
The platform offers two main options for generating yield: providing liquidity and earning through fixed yield products.
Liquidity providers on Pendle can earn rewards with minimal risk of impermanent loss if they hold their positions to maturity, while fixed yield products offer a predictable return on investment by locking up Bitcoin and returning a higher amount at the end of the term.
This structure allows Bitcoin holders to increase their Bitcoin holdings over time without actively trading, adding another layer of value to Bitcoin’s utility in the DeFi space.
IP and RWA Vaults
IP (intellectual property) and RWAs (Real-World Assets) are crucial in expanding Bitcoin's ecosystem by enabling the tokenization of physical assets and IP rights on Bitcoin the world’s oldest and most trusted public crypto ledger.
This brings greater liquidity, transparency, and security, allowing assets like real estate or patents to be easily traded, owned, and verified.
COVAULT
COVALT is an emerging decentralized platform. It’s aimed at managing and investing in IPs (intellectual properties) and RWAs (real-world assets) through smart vaults on Bitcoin’s layer 1 blockchain.
And the platform offers a variety of them. Among others:
Structured Vaults
These allow users to bundle IPs or assets into customizable instruments with governance and profit-sharing capabilities. Investors can use Rune tokens for decision-making rights and profit shares.
Airdrop Vaults
These enable seamless token distribution.
Multisig Vaults
These facilitate secure group transactions that require multiple signatures.
Liquidity & Market Efficiency
Vault positions can be traded on a decentralized marketplace.
Transparency & Analytics
The platform offers blockchain-backed transparency and AI-driven pricing to ensure fair pricing and reduce transaction costs through smart contracts.
Narrative 4: Data Availability Layers
DA (data availability) is becoming a crucial aspect of Bitcoin’s progression, just like it has been for smart-contract-capable blockchains across the board too.
It’s crucial to enable efficient access to transaction data for Layer 2s, price oracles, Ordinals, and other solutions. Why?
Why Data Availability Matters
DA ensures blockchain transactions remain verifiable by all participants. Without it, the integrity of the system is compromised—similar to losing access to vital ownership documents.
Key Challenges
Missing data jeopardizes verification.
Balancing these factors remains an issue.
Current methods are often costly and inefficient.
How DALs Help
Data Availability Layers (DALs) like the multi-compatible Celestia nertwork enhance scalability by ensuring decentralized and reliable data storage using cutting-edge techniques like
erasure coding and
DASampling.
Nubit: DAL Secured by Bitcoin
One exciting development in this space is Nubit, a scalable and cost-efficient DAL designed specifically for Bitcoin.
Nubit builds on top of Bitcoin’s robust security to significantly expand the network’s data capabilities for applications like Ordinals, Layer 2 solutions, and price oracles to flourish.
Nubit is designed to align with Bitcoin’s native architecture:
- Security Inheritance from Bitcoin
Nubit relies on Bitcoin’s trusted consensus mechanism, boosting security data availability.
By securing data through Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure, Nubit minimizes the need for additional trust layers.
Nubit enhances Bitcoin’s data-handling capacity, supporting a wider range of use cases beyond simple transactions.
Bitcoin Is Getting Connected – You Ready to Be There?
As the Bitcoin ecosystem evolves from a simple store of value into a thriving DeFi hub, its growth potential becomes undeniable when you look beyond the surface and uncover the multitude of innovations developers are tirelessly building.
From Layer 2 scaling solutions to DeFi integrations and liquidity aggregation, Bitcoin is rewriting the rules of what’s possible within an ecosystem that’s no longer just a basic network with limited programmability.
The projects we’ve highlighted are actively laying the groundwork for Bitcoin’s future, cementing its new, prominent role in web3 and DeFi.
Build with Us, Grow with Bitcoin
We’re here to help you and your project leverage the dynamic Bitcoin landscape.
Are you building a Bitcoin rollup, a dApp poised to dominate BTC yields, or something else Bitcoin-related? Runes? Ordinals?
We’ve the expertise and tools to help you gain the buzz and connect with the community that your project deserves.
Syndicate Vaults
These provide a mechanism for investors to pool funds and share returns.