Bitlayer is a Bitcoin Layer-2 that brings full Ethereum-style programmability to Bitcoin’s security model. Using the BitVM paradigm, it turns Bitcoin into a trust anchor and execution layer so you can write and deploy Solidity contracts while every transaction ultimately settles on Bitcoin. The team stresses 100% EVM and Ethereum toolchain compatibility—meaning Remix, Hardhat, Truffle, Foundry, etc., work out of the box and you can port Ethereum contracts to Bitlayer with no rewrites.
A standout is the BitVM Bridge: a trust-minimized, decentralized bridge that locks real BTC and mints a 1:1 pegged token (YBTC) on Bitlayer (and compatible EVM chains). Unlike custodial bridges, this one runs on BitVM proofs, enabling BTC to be used in swaps, lending, and yield strategies while keeping redemption to real BTC straightforward and secure.
Developer experience is native-Ethereum: public RPCs, optional nodes, testnets with faucets, explorers (BTRScan), Chainlist support, and documented setups for Hardhat, Remix, Brownie, etc. Solidity support is current up to v0.8.28, so existing dApps, tokens, and NFT contracts run as expected.
Architecturally, Bitlayer combines a fast PoS sequencing layer with an optimistic rollup anchored to Bitcoin via fraud proofs. That design yields sub-second confirmations, very low gas (median fees near ~$0.10), rotating sequencers, and an “escape hatch” for withdrawals if problems occur. Bitlayer V2 already ties state finality to Bitcoin; the roadmap targets V3 with sub-millisecond finality and broader horizontal scaling.
In short: Bitlayer aims to give developers Ethereum-grade tooling and speed while inheriting Bitcoin’s unmatched security—effectively “Ethereum on Bitcoin,” enabling BTC holders to access DeFi without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem.