BitcoinOS reports that it has successfully executed the first cross-chain bitcoin transfer without bridges, moving 1 BTC between the Bitcoin and Cardano blockchains without relying on traditional intermediaries.
The bridge-less era begins: BitcoinOS transfers $BTC to Cardano using zero-knowledge proofs.
The demonstration, conducted on the mainnet, marks a fundamental advancement in blockchain interoperability. By encapsulating 1 $BTC in xBTC (a programmable token secured by BitcoinOS's BitSNARK zero-knowledge proofs), the transaction bypassed custodial bridges, reducing risks and latency.
BitcoinOS claims that the xBTC was transferred to Cardano and back to Bitcoin, demonstrating seamless cross-chain functionality. BitcoinOS collaborated with Sundial Protocol, a hybrid layer two (L2) solution between Bitcoin and Cardano, and Handle, Cardano's identity platform, to execute the transfer.
Source: BitcoinOS
The process essentially involved encapsulating BTC in xBTC on Bitcoin, transferring it without a bridge to Sundial's Cardano wallet, transferring it to Handle's wallet, and returning it to Bitcoin before decapsulating it back to native BTC. Edan Yago, a lead contributor at BitcoinOS, stated that the demonstration shows that Bitcoin can gain smart contract capabilities without losing its connection to its blockchain.
The capabilities of the demonstration turn Cardano into an integrated DeFi layer for Bitcoin, he added, highlighting the implications for other UTXO-based chains. Sheldon Hunt, founder of Sundial Protocol, claimed that the achievement marked a turning point for decentralized interoperability. "It's a turning point for the entire blockchain ecosystem," he stated. Jonah Peralta from Handle emphasized the importance of this advancement for Bitcoin's utility, stating that it facilitates smart contracts and scalability while maintaining Bitcoin's security.