Key Takeaways:
CKB is doubling down on BTCFi with a long-term, tech-first strategy.
RGB++, Fiber Network, and UTXO Stack form an integrated stack to expand Bitcoin’s application layer.
The team prioritizes decentralization, modular architecture, and user sovereignty through Web5.
CKB’s early adoption of RISC-V is gaining validation as Ethereum explores similar directions.
USDI stablecoin and micropayments hint at real-world utility and cross-border relevance.
The BTCFi Question: Short-Term Hype or Long-Term Opportunity?
As some EVM-based BTCFi projects struggle post-launch, a recurring question is surfacing: Is BTCFi dead? Yet, Bitcoin’s market price is on the rise—hinting at a deeper disconnect between market momentum and narrative strength.
To explore the long-term outlook for BTCFi, Binance News sat down with the team behind CKB (Common Knowledge Base), a project known for pioneering Bitcoin-native programmability using the UTXO model. The conversation focused on architecture, innovation, and where CKB sees Bitcoin’s true potential beyond speculative cycles.
Evolving with Purpose: CKB's Architectural Journey
CKB’s development has transitioned through multiple stages—asset platform, gaming experimentation, and now a laser focus on Bitcoin integration via Web5. These shifts, the team explained, represent an evolution of its founding vision, not detours from it.
“Our choice of PoW consensus and the UTXO model is grounded in our commitment to decentralization and security,” the team emphasized.
Today, CKB is positioning itself as a programmable execution layer for Bitcoin through a three-part stack: RGB++, Fiber Network, and UTXO Stack—each serving a distinct but coordinated role in scaling Bitcoin’s application layer.
RGB++: Unlocking Turing-Complete Programmability for Bitcoin
Launched in early 2024, RGB++ enhances the original RGB protocol by introducing homomorphic binding—a method for securely linking Bitcoin transactions to CKB Cells. This enables Ethereum-like programmability without compromising Bitcoin’s security guarantees.
Key technical features include:
BTC_TIME_lock: Prevents state finalization on CKB until Bitcoin transactions are sufficiently confirmed.
Transaction Folding & Chaining: Boosts throughput and UX by aggregating CKB transactions.
Non-interactive Transfers: Users need only an address to receive tokens.
Intent Cells: Avoid global state conflicts by batching user intents before execution.
These innovations collectively solve long-standing UX and concurrency issues associated with UTXO-based programmability.
Fiber Network: A Lightning-Compatible Payment Engine
The Fiber Network launched its mainnet in early 2025, enabling instant, fee-less payments for RGB++ assets via off-chain channels. It uses Point Time-Locked Contracts (PTLCs) to enhance privacy and supports multi-hop routing compatible with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network.
Highlights:
Settlement-free transfers for Bitcoin-native assets.
Watchtower services for fraud prevention.
USDI Stablecoin: A USD-pegged asset integrated into Fiber, solving a major BTCFi pain point.
Fiber Network is gaining developer traction, especially among teams building multi-asset payments and AI-driven micropayment use cases.
UTXO Stack: Liquidity Infrastructure for a BTCFi Future
Released in late 2024, UTXO Stack builds on Fiber to solve three core Bitcoin L2 challenges:
Liquidity shortages in Lightning channels.
High entry barriers for users.
Lack of stablecoin support.
Using a Decentralized Liquidity Staking Pool (DLSP), UTXO Stack bridges on-chain liquidity with off-chain routing. It also plays a pivotal role in USDI distribution and machine-to-machine micropayments, enhancing real-world utility.
While adoption is still early, the team stresses that infrastructure needs strategic positioning—especially in high-inflation or cross-border payment contexts where demand is quietly growing.
RISC-V: A Bet That’s Now Paying Off
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s recent proposal to adopt RISC-V has sparked new attention on open instruction set architectures. But for CKB, this isn’t news—it adopted RISC-V back in 2018.
“We chose RISC-V because it allows deep customization, aligns with decentralization, and avoids vendor lock-in.”
CKB now offers two smart contract options:
ckb-script-templates (Rust-based)
ckb-js-vm (TypeScript support)
And for dApp builders: a full suite of SDKs, developer tools, and the OffCKB environment, plus scaffolding templates for React/Next.js/TypeScript—all tailored to reduce onboarding friction.
Developer & Community Strategy: Build, Educate, Scale
CKB sees infrastructure as only half the equation. The other half is education and ecosystem growth. In 2025, the team will:
Launch structured tutorials and workshops.
Expand hackathons and developer grants.
Grow the CKB Tea Hour, developer AMAs, and “CCC SDK” ecosystem.
Transition to “Community Governance 2.0” for decentralized decision-making.
BTCFi, Reframed: Respecting Bitcoin’s Ethos
CKB’s BTCFi approach isn’t about mimicking Ethereum. Instead, it’s about building a native Bitcoin usability layer that aligns with its core principles: security, minimalism, decentralization.
“Bitcoin doesn’t need a new EVM. It needs native infrastructure designed for its rhythm.”
The project has already seen promising traction—over 400 dApps and 662,000 addresses in the RGB++ ecosystem, with real usage in payment, DeFi, and stablecoin sectors.
Web5: The Long-Term Vision for User Sovereignty
For CKB, Web5 isn’t a buzzword—it’s a roadmap. The goal: fuse verifiable Web2 protocols (e.g., Nostr, AT Protocol) with Web3-style ownership and Bitcoin’s security.
Core to this is CKB’s Cell model, which acts as a programmable, composable data layer for:
Decentralized identity (DID)
Creator monetization
Community-led platforms
The team is especially focused on enabling small businesses and underserved communities to access value exchange and self-sovereignty—without the friction of current blockchain platforms.
What’s Next: 2025 Strategic Focus
CKB’s 2025 roadmap is clear:
Empower developers with better tooling and education.
Expand Web5 with real applications and DID integration.
Strengthen Bitcoin integration via USDI and Lightning.
Decentralize governance and amplify community participation.
Bridge traditional institutions via research and financial infrastructure partnerships.
Building Bitcoin’s Usability Layer
CKB’s vision stands in contrast to fast-moving but fragile EVM-layer hype. It’s opting for secure, modular, and verifiable infrastructure—designed to scale with Bitcoin, not against it.
Whether through RGB++, Fiber Network, or UTXO Stack, the goal remains the same: to build a Bitcoin-native internet where users, developers, and communities all retain control, identity, and value.
Disclaimer: This article reflects third-party views and is not financial advice. Content does not represent the official position of Binance.
