#HEMI is a new blockchain project that tries to make Bitcoin programmable.... meaning developers can build apps and smart contracts that use real Bitcoin, not just wrapped versions of it. At the same time, it connects with Ethereum’s ecosystem, so developers can use the tools and apps they already know.
Think of it like this: Hemi sits between Bitcoin and Ethereum and lets them talk to each other smoothly. It combines Bitcoin’s security with Ethereum’s flexibility.
The idea behind Hemi
Right now, if someone wants to use Bitcoin in smart contracts, they usually have to “wrap” it — basically turning BTC into a token that represents Bitcoin instead of using the real thing. That process adds extra steps and trust issues, because you rely on someone else to hold your real Bitcoin.
Hemi’s approach is different. Instead of creating copies of Bitcoin, Hemi wants to make Bitcoin’s real data directly available inside smart contracts. This way, apps can interact with real Bitcoin transactions safely and directly, without needing middlemen or wrappers.
How it works
Hemi runs a special version of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) the system that executes smart contracts... called the hVM (Hemi Virtual Machine). This hVM can “see” Bitcoin data inside Ethereum-based contracts. So, when you write a contract, it can check Bitcoin blocks, transactions, and balances directly, like it’s reading both systems at once.
For developers, it still feels familiar.... they can code in Solidity (the usual Ethereum language), but now they can access Bitcoin data through easy-to-use tools called the Hemi Bitcoin Kit (hBK).
To store data, Hemi uses Ethereum because it’s cheap and well-tested. But to secure that data, Hemi uses Bitcoin. It does this through a method called Proof-of-Proof (PoP) where special participants, known as PoP miners, take snapshots of Hemi’s data and write them onto the Bitcoin blockchain. Once that happens, the data becomes almost impossible to change, because it’s protected by Bitcoin’s security.
This process takes about 90 minutes, which is how long it usually takes for a few Bitcoin blocks to confirm.
Tunnels instead of bridges
In most crypto systems, when people move tokens between blockchains, they use “bridges.” Bridges rely on third parties or validators to confirm that deposits and withdrawals are real which can be risky. Hemi replaces this idea with Tunnels, which don’t depend on trust. Instead, the Hemi system itself understands what’s happening on both Bitcoin and Ethereum.
So when someone locks BTC on the Bitcoin network, Hemi knows about it directly without relying on an outside watcher. Later, the user can redeem that BTC, and the system can verify that the original Bitcoin transaction actually happened. This makes moving BTC in and out of Hemi much safer.
What this allows developers to build
Because Hemi makes Bitcoin readable to smart contracts, developers can now create apps that were previously impossible, like:
Lending platforms that use real Bitcoin instead of wrapped versions.
Automation tools that react to Bitcoin activity, like vaults that unlock when a Bitcoin transaction happens.
New DeFi products that combine Bitcoin’s security with Ethereum’s liquidity.
Basically, it opens a door to a whole new category of Bitcoin-based DeFi.
What’s live now
Hemi’s mainnet launched on March 12, 2025. It’s still early, but adoption is growing fast. There are some impressive numbers being shared, though it’s important to know the difference between TVL (Total Value Locked) which shows how much crypto is deposited and TVS (Total Value Secured) which shows how much value is actually protected by Hemi’s system. Both are valid, but they measure different things.
Risks and maturity
Like most new blockchain projects, Hemi is still partly centralised. The team currently controls some functions, and the automated fault-checking system (called fault proofs) isn’t live yet. That means users still need to trust the team to some degree.
The Proof-of-Proof system is also new. It’s a smart way to use Bitcoin’s security, but it depends on people actually running the PoP process correctly and consistently.
So while the idea is powerful, there are still technical risks and things to be tested.
The token and economy
Hemi has its own token, HEMI, used for network fees, rewarding PoP miners, and governance. Later, other projects might even pay in HEMI to use Hemi’s “security-as-a-service,” anchoring their own apps to Bitcoin through Hemi’s system.
Three main groups make Hemi work:
The sequencers, who manage transaction order.
The hVM layer, which runs the apps.
The PoP miners, who anchor the data to Bitcoin.
All of them are part of the same ecosystem, using incentives to keep things aligned and running smoothly.
Team and investors
Hemi was co-founded by Jeff Garzik, one of Bitcoin’s early developers, and Maxwell Sanchez, the creator of Proof-of-Proof. In August 2025, Hemi raised $15 million from investors including YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) and HyperChain Capital a sign of serious industry confidence.
Still, as with any early blockchain project, having big names doesn’t eliminate risks it just means more people are watching closely.
Hemi’s mission is big: make Bitcoin programmable like Ethereum, secure it with Bitcoin’s strength, and tap into Ethereum’s tools and apps. If the team delivers on its decentralisation and safety roadmap, Hemi could become one of the main systems for Bitcoin-based DeFi.
For now, it’s still early-stage full of potential but also early risks. If you’re a developer, it’s worth experimenting with. If you’re an investor or observer, keep an eye on it as one of the most interesting experiments in uniting the Bitcoin and Ethereum worlds.
