@Hemi — a Layer-2 network designed to connect two of the most powerful forces in blockchain: Bitcoin and Ethereum. Hemi isn’t just another scaling solution; it’s a bold rethinking of what interoperability can mean for the future of decentralized computing.
At its core, Hemi gives developers the power to build across both worlds — the security and stability of Bitcoin, and the rich programmability of Ethereum. It creates a shared environment where assets, data, and smart contracts can flow freely between the two chains. Whether you’re an experienced Web3 developer or someone curious about how Bitcoin and Ethereum can finally talk to each other, Hemi is where that future begins.
This guide will walk you through what Hemi is, why it matters, and how you can start building on it. You’ll discover how its architecture works, what tools are available, and how its incentive programs reward those who help the ecosystem grow. Think of this as your first step into a world where Bitcoin and Ethereum no longer live in separate universes — but evolve together.
A New Layer for True Interoperability
Hemi is a Layer-2 blockchain that sits above both Bitcoin and Ethereum. While most Layer-2 solutions are tied to a single base chain, Hemi is designed to work with both. Its mission is to solve three key problems that have limited blockchain innovation for years:
1. Scalability — The ability to process thousands of transactions quickly without sacrificing decentralization.
2. Interoperability — Seamless communication between Bitcoin, Ethereum, and future blockchains.
3. Security — A foundation rooted in the immutability and trust of Bitcoin itself.
At the heart of Hemi’s design is the Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM) — a modular engine that runs Ethereum-compatible smart contracts but has native awareness of Bitcoin. This means developers can write contracts in familiar languages, deploy them using familiar tools, and still access Bitcoin’s data and transaction history directly inside the EVM.
It’s a powerful idea: every dApp built on Hemi has access to two entire blockchains without needing risky wrapped tokens, custodial bridges, or centralized relayers. Everything stays decentralized — just faster, smarter, and more connected.
How Hemi Works
To understand Hemi, it helps to think of it as a set of layers working in harmony.
The hVM (Hemi Virtual Machine): This is where smart contracts live and execute. It’s EVM-compatible but upgraded with Bitcoin-awareness — a feature that allows developers to call Bitcoin data directly from within contracts.
Tunneling: Hemi uses a process called tunneling to move assets and messages between Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the hVM. Tunnels are designed to be transparent and secure, ensuring that every transfer is cryptographically verified across chains.
Consensus & Finality: Instead of relying on traditional proof-of-stake or proof-of-work alone, Hemi introduces Proof of Proof (PoP) — a hybrid model that anchors Hemi’s state into Bitcoin’s blockchain. This means that every block finalized on Hemi ultimately inherits Bitcoin’s immutability. Once it’s anchored, it’s as permanent as a Bitcoin block.
This design gives Hemi something few other networks can claim — Bitcoin-level finality with Ethereum-level flexibility.
Navigating the Hemi Ecosystem
Hemi’s documentation is structured to help both beginners and experts find what they need quickly. Each section builds on the previous one, taking you from curiosity to confidence.
⚡ Quickstart
If you’re eager to get started, the Quickstart section covers the basics — setting up your wallet, connecting to the network, and deploying your first smart contract. It’s a practical entry point that gives you hands-on experience with Hemi.
⚡ Foundational Topics
Here you’ll find detailed explanations of Hemi’s architecture — how the sequencer works, how PoP consensus ensures Bitcoin finality, and how tunneling bridges assets between ecosystems. This section helps you understand the logic behind Hemi’s design choices.
⚡ How-To Tutorials
The tutorials are written for action-takers. They guide you through wallet setup, bridging assets, running miners, and deploying tokens. Even if you’ve never developed on a blockchain before, these guides will make the process straightforward.
⚡ Tooling
Building on Hemi means having access to a powerful developer toolkit. From SDKs and APIs to CLI tools and testing environments, the tooling section introduces everything you’ll need to create, debug, and scale your projects.
⚡ Incentives
Hemi believes innovation should be rewarded. Developers, miners, and community members can earn points, grants, and retroactive rewards for meaningful contributions — whether that’s deploying a useful app, improving documentation, or helping secure the network.
⚡ Resources & Feedback
Finally, the documentation includes resources to help you connect with the Hemi team, partners, and broader community. Found a bug? Planning a hackathon? The Hemi ecosystem is open and responsive — your voice helps shape its evolution.
Step 1: Explore the Hemi Network
The best way to understand Hemi is to explore what makes it unique.
Hemi was built on a simple truth: Bitcoin is secure, Ethereum is programmable, and the world needs both.
Instead of forcing developers to choose between the two, Hemi makes it possible to use them together. Its hybrid architecture lets developers anchor transactions to Bitcoin for maximum security, while running smart contracts on the hVM for speed and flexibility.
Hemi’s tunnels allow assets to move safely between blockchains. Think of them as bridges, but without the centralization risks. Every transfer is verified on both sides, ensuring full transparency and auditability.
The PoP consensus is equally innovative. Rather than replacing Bitcoin’s security model, Hemi extends it — embedding proofs of its state into Bitcoin transactions. This means that every finalized block on Hemi gains the same level of security as Bitcoin itself.
When you explore Hemi’s architecture, you’ll begin to see the potential for cross-chain applications that simply weren’t possible before — decentralized finance powered by Bitcoin, NFT ecosystems verified by Ethereum, and new systems of trust that merge both worlds.
Step 2: Set Up Your Environment
Before you start building, you’ll need to set up a development environment. This ensures everything runs smoothly when you begin deploying or testing your applications.
1. Connect an EVM-Compatible Wallet — Set up a wallet that supports custom networks, and connect it to Hemi’s RPC endpoint. This will allow you to interact with contracts, send transactions, and view balances on Hemi.
2. Configure a Bitcoin Wallet — To use tunneling or PoP mining features, you’ll need a Bitcoin wallet. This allows your BTC to interact with Hemi’s cross-chain systems.
3. Join the Community — Hemi’s community is filled with developers, miners, and researchers who are passionate about interoperability. It’s where ideas are shared, bugs are fixed, and projects are born. Collaboration is a huge part of what makes Hemi thrive.
Once your environment is ready, you’re officially part of the Hemi ecosystem — ready to build, test, and experiment.
Step 3: Interact With Hemi
With your setup complete, it’s time to experience the network firsthand.
You can start by interacting with the base layers — sending small transactions, observing block confirmations, and testing tunneling between chains. This will help you understand how Hemi processes data and maintains synchronization between Ethereum and Bitcoin states.
You can also try participating in PoP mining. In this process, miners help secure the network by embedding Hemi’s data into Bitcoin blocks. It’s one of the most unique aspects of Hemi’s design — a decentralized link between two of the largest blockchains ever created.
The more you experiment, the more you’ll understand how Hemi seamlessly blends both ecosystems into one cohesive experience. Transactions are fast, fees are low, and finality is backed by Bitcoin itself.
Step 4: Build on Hemi
Now comes the exciting part — creating your own decentralized applications.
Developing on Hemi feels natural for anyone familiar with Ethereum. The Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM) supports the same programming patterns, allowing you to deploy Solidity contracts, mint tokens, and interact with other dApps. But unlike traditional EVMs, the hVM can also access Bitcoin-related data.
Imagine building a decentralized marketplace that accepts BTC payments but uses Ethereum-based logic for smart contract automation. Or designing a lending protocol that anchors its proofs to Bitcoin for security. These are the kinds of applications Hemi makes possible.
The Hemi Bitcoin Kit (hBK) helps simplify this process, offering libraries and frameworks that make it easier to integrate Bitcoin functionality directly into your projects.
All code, examples, and SDKs are open-source and available through Hemi’s repositories — so you can learn by studying live examples and collaborating with other developers around the world.
Step 5: Grow With the Ecosystem
Once you’ve deployed your first contract or application, there are countless ways to continue your journey as a Hemi developer.
Earn through Incentives: Every meaningful contribution to Hemi — from deploying new contracts to improving network tools — can earn rewards through points, grants, or retroactive funding.
Collaborate on Open Source Projects: Help improve libraries, write documentation, or build new modules for the community.
Join Hackathons & Grants: Participate in events and initiatives that support innovative ideas built on Hemi’s technology.
Stay Connected: Engage with the developer network, attend AMAs, and share insights. Every conversation helps shape the next phase of interoperability.
The more you build, the more you help expand the ecosystem — and the more Hemi rewards you for it.
Why Hemi Matters
The blockchain world has come a long way, but it’s still fragmented. Bitcoin and Ethereum each dominate their domains — one as the ultimate store of value, the other as the foundation for decentralized applications. Yet, they’ve remained isolated for too long.
Hemi changes that. By bridging these two giants, it unlocks a future where liquidity, data, and computation can move freely across networks. It’s a step toward a more unified Web3 — one that’s not defined by which chain you’re on, but by what you can build.
Developers no longer have to choose between Bitcoin’s security or Ethereum’s flexibility. With Hemi, they get both.
Conclusion: The Future Starts Here
Hemi is more than a blockchain. It’s a movement toward a more open, efficient, and interconnected Web3.
By blending the best of Bitcoin and Ethereum, Hemi gives developers the tools to build faster, safer, and more interoperable applications. It’s an environment where every line of code has the power to connect worlds that were once divided.
Whether you’re writing your first smart contract, designing cross-chain infrastructure, or exploring how Bitcoin can power new decentralized economies — Hemi is the place to begin.
Welcome to the future of blockchain.
Welcome to Hemi — where Bitcoin meets Ethereum, and the next era of innovation begins.
