BTC
by BSCN
October 10, 2023
The approach allows Bitcoin to execute complex computations off-chain while verifying them on-chain, similar to Ethereum's optimistic rollup model.
A Bitcoin developer unveiled a whitepaper on Oct. 9 that could potentially usher in a new era of expressive off-chain smart contracts for Bitcoin, all without the need for a contentious soft fork.
The ambitious vision unveiled in the white paper titled "BitVM: Compute Anything on Bitcoin" promises to push the boundaries of what Bitcoin can achieve.
Spearheaded by Robin Linus, the lead of the ZeroSync project, BitVM aims to introduce Turing-complete Bitcoin contracts without making any alterations to Bitcoin's sacred consensus rules.
BitVM's architecture revolves around the execution of Bitcoin contract "logic" off-chain while anchoring the final verification on the Bitcoin blockchain itself. In essence, this approach mirrors Ethereum's optimistic rollup model, bringing a new level of versatility to Bitcoin's functionality.
At the core of BitVM lies a system built on fraud proofs and a challenge-response model. Here, a "prover" has the capacity to make claims, and a "verifier" can step in to execute a fraud proof if false claims are suspected, thereby penalizing dishonest actors. This approach ensures security while enabling more complex computations on the Bitcoin network.
Currently, Bitcoin primarily handles basic operations like signatures, timelocks, and hashlocks. However, BitVM's arrival opens the door to a realm of possibilities. Robin Linus envisions a future where BitVM facilitates a wide array of applications, including bridging Bitcoin to foreign chains, establishing prediction markets, or emulating novel opcodes.
While BitVM presents a quantum leap for Bitcoin's capabilities, it's not without its challenges. Considering that the model demands two parties - a provider and a verifier - significant off-chain communications and computation are required.
Nevertheless, the potential for Bitcoin to execute programs, host games like Chess or Poker, and verify the validity of proofs in Bitcoin contracts is a fascinating prospect.
Robin Linus's BitVM has garnered attention from notable figures in the cryptocurrency space, including Peter McCormack and Bitcoin Core contributor Adam Back.
While the excitement is evident, Back advises caution and restraint, reminding enthusiasts that the concept's full realization is a journey in progress. However, Linus believes BitVM will be "strictly superior" to Maxwell's ZKCP, where the solution must be known in advance.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of BSCN. The information provided in this article is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, or advice of any kind. BSCN assumes no responsibility for any investment decisions made based on the information provided in this article. If you believe that the article should be amended, please reach out to the BSCN team by emailing [email protected].
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