Interlay, the prominent player in the decentralized Bitcoin infrastructure arena, has unveiled the MVP of its BOB (Build on Bitcoin) platform. This novel Bitcoin layer 2 network introduces Rust smart contracts that are compatible with Bitcoin libraries like Lightning and Ordinals. Additionally, BOB supports the Ethereum Virtual Machine, making it an ideal hub for innovation and experimentation in crafting decentralized applications on the Bitcoin framework.
The inaugural MVP of BOB showcases a demonstration application that employs the Bitcoin standard BRC-21. This empowers trustless token bridging from alternate chains like Ethereum, ETH, DAI, and USDC onto the Bitcoin network. Notably, this launch follows the introduction of the Bitcoin DeFi platform, which emerged just a month ago.
Alexei Zamyatin, one of Interlay’s co-founders, expressed the significance of BOB by highlighting the ongoing revival of Bitcoin. The objective is to furnish developers with the means to establish genuinely decentralized applications and drive innovation on top of Bitcoin’s existing infrastructure, encompassing Lightning, Ordinals, and Nostr.
In this manner, BOB aims to facilitate creators from diverse ecosystems, including Ethereum, in swiftly introducing their DeFi, NFT, and other web3 products to Bitcoin’s substantial user base of 300 million.
Incorporating Rust and EVM smart contracts, the inaugural MVP introduces key features such as Interlay’s trustless BTC bridge and an embedded Bitcoin light client. This client undertakes cryptographic verification of the Bitcoin main chain, enabling teams to execute trustless BTC, Ordinals, and BRC swaps, along with other fundamental Bitcoin operations like hashrate markets.
The forthcoming full-release schedule outlines plans for Ethereum interoperability, a pioneering Bitcoin peg mechanism that enhances Interlay’s trustless BTC bridge, and innovative Bitcoin rollup mechanisms.
Dominik Harz, another co-founder and the CTO of the project, emphasizes the role of rollups in ensuring sustained value appreciation for Bitcoin, enhancing the economic viability of the protocol even post upcoming halving events.
While acknowledging that ZK rollups currently present a promising architecture, BOB is being developed to support any cryptographic primitives that may be integrated into Bitcoin in the future.
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