1. Definition & Key Vision
Bitlayer is a Bitcoin-based Layer 2 solution that delivers the native security of Bitcoin (Layer 1), while also supporting advanced smart contract computation. With the BitVM paradigm, Bitlayer enables Turing-complete capabilities and full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), paving the way for DeFi applications on the Bitcoin network.
The vision of Bitlayer is to align Bitcoin's security with modern scalability and productivity capabilities, through infrastructure that is censorship-resistant and developer-friendly.
2. Development Path (Roadmap)
Stage 1: Bitlayer PoS (Mainnet V1) – Launched in April 2024. Combining Proof of Stake (PoS) + multisig, with full support for EVM. Providing cross-chain interoperability (Bitcoin, EVM, etc.) with low and efficient transaction costs.
Stage 2: Bitlayer Rollup (Mainnet V2) – Targeting the first/mid-quarter of 2025. Implementation of BitVM and a rollup architecture that fully relies on Bitcoin's security. Introducing a trust-minimized BTC bridge, enabling asset bridging without multisig dependency.
Stage 3: “Supercharged Rollup” (Q4 2025) – Targeting a capacity of 20,000 transactions per second (TPS) plus fast confirmations (~3 seconds). Bringing Bitlayer to an enterprise-grade level in Bitcoin scalability.
3. Technical Architecture: Key Components
a. Layered Virtual Machine (LVM)
LVM is the Bitlayer computation engine that supports various VMs—EVM, CairoVM, MoveVM, SolVM, to BitVM. Designed to separate smart contract execution from Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proof processes.
b. Sequencer, Prover & Challenger
Sequencer: Arranging transactions in layer 2 in batches for execution and verification.
Prover & Challenger: Hybrid optimism-ZK mechanism. Transactions are assumed valid by the Prover, then the Challenger can submit fraud proofs. If proven, the Prover loses their stake; if not, the Prover is safe and the batch is valid.
c. BitVM Bridge & Trust-Minimized Asset Transfers
This bridge is not traditional (custodial/multisig), but rather trust-minimized via BitVM and OP-DLC (Optimistic Discreet Log Contracts). When BTC is locked, a token called YBTC is issued 1:1 on Bitlayer, facilitating its use in DeFi with Bitcoin's security.
Additionally, this bridge is designed to expand to other chains like Avalanche, Polygon, Solana, and other EVMs.
4. Key Advantages of Bitlayer
Bitcoin-Level Security: All verifications are conducted through the BitVM and OP-DLC mechanisms without altering the underlying Bitcoin protocol.
Turing-Complete: Now developers can run complex smart contracts like Ethereum directly on Bitcoin.
Low Cost & High Speed: Utilizing transaction batching and off-chain verification, plus an efficient and fast optimistic rollup model (~3 seconds block time).
Multi-Chain & Integrated Ecosystem: The presence of the YBTC bridge and Expandable Bridge architecture simplifies BTC liquidity across other DeFi ecosystems.
Ecosystem & Active Adoption: There are already many dApps (DeFi, NFT, gaming, launchpad), the $BTR token for governance and incentives, and collaborations with major platforms such as Base, Arbitrum, Starknet, OKX, and others.
5. Conclusion
By combining Bitcoin's unmatched security with Ethereum-like programming ease and scalable transaction intensity, Bitlayer has the potential to become pioneering infrastructure for DeFi-native on the Bitcoin network. Through the BitVM + rollup + trust-minimized bridge architecture, Bitlayer not only expands the utility dimension of Bitcoin but also maintains the integrity and philosophy of decentralization at the highest level.
