SUPERNEWS

Crypto

Bitcoin to Gain Ethereum-Like Features in 12 Months, Says Rootstock

Rootstock aims to bring Ethereum-like programmability to Bitcoin within 12 months through the BitVMX project.

By Max Weldon

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5/1, 13:46 EDT
Bitcoin / U.S. dollar
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Key Takeaway

  • Rootstock's "BitVMX" project aims to enhance Bitcoin's programmability within 12 months, leveraging the "BitVM" design for layer-2 networks.
  • The initiative seeks to enable faster, cheaper transactions without altering Bitcoin's core code, addressing decentralized governance challenges.
  • BitVMX focuses on running any CPU on Bitcoin, promising a broad range of applications through a fully-compliant RISC-V processor.

BitVMX: Enhancing Bitcoin's Programmability

At the recent Bitcoin++ conference in Austin, Texas, Sergio Demian Lerner, the founder of Bitcoin layer-2 protocol Rootstock, unveiled plans for a groundbreaking project named "BitVMX." This initiative aims to significantly enhance the programmability of Bitcoin by leveraging the design principles of Robin Linus's "BitVM," which was introduced last year and hailed as a pivotal development for the blockchain. Lerner, a prominent figure in the crypto space known for his contributions to both Bitcoin and Ethereum, announced a one-year timeline to complete the project, emphasizing the team's commitment to advancing at "full speed."

BitVM's Legacy and BitVMX's Promise

The introduction of BitVM by developer Robin Linus was met with enthusiasm within the Bitcoin community, as it presented a theoretical framework for enabling programmable layer-2 networks on Bitcoin. These networks could potentially mirror the functionalities seen in the Ethereum ecosystem, offering cheaper and faster transactions without necessitating any modifications to Bitcoin's core code. This aspect is particularly crucial given the decentralized nature of Bitcoin's governance, where achieving consensus among developers for major updates is often challenging. Lerner's BitVMX project seeks to build upon Linus's foundational work by introducing additional innovations aimed at creating a more robust development framework for executing programs on Bitcoin.

Rootstock Labs' Vision for BitVMX

In a recent blog post, Rootstock Labs shed light on the BitVMX project, emphasizing the distinction between theoretical concepts and practical implementation. The post outlines the team's ambition to extend Bitcoin's capabilities and expedite the development of next-generation sidechains and layer-2 solutions. A core team of contributors is reportedly working on a public roadmap detailing proposed enhancements to the network over the next 12 months. The BitVMX framework, as described in an accompanying whitepaper, is designed to support the operation of any CPU on Bitcoin, with a particular focus on running a fully-compliant RISC-V processor. This technical advancement is expected to unlock a wide array of use cases, further enriching Bitcoin's ecosystem.