As an observer with a background in blockchain technology and development, I find this new development around rollups on Bitcoin incredibly intriguing. It’s fascinating to see how the Bitcoin community is exploring new ways to enhance the capabilities of the OG crypto network. The publication of the BitSNARK and Grail whitepaper marks an essential step towards enabling smart contract functionality and scaling on Bitcoin, which was once considered a foreign concept.


Bitcoin‘s blockchain developers are now a step nearer to deploying rollups, which could bring about “boundless smart contract capabilities” and scale, previously unattainable on this pioneering cryptocurrency network.

On Friday, BitcoinOS unveiled the whitepaper for “BitSNARK and Grail,” a design for connecting Bitcoin to second-layer rollups and other blockchains with minimal trust required.

Rollups On Bitcoin: Is It Possible?

The new rollup system evolved from BitVM, the computing concept based on Bitcoin that Robin Linus uncovered last year.

I’ve observed that one of BitVM’s standout features was its capability to authenticate “Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge” (SNARKs) on Bitcoin. Consequently, this paved the way for the development of Bitcoin Rollup Bridges and scaling solutions akin to Optimism or Arbitrum in Ethereum‘s ecosystem.

As a BitSNARK analyst, I can explain that our technology is an enhancement of BitVM. We achieve this by utilizing a custom-built software library, specifically designed for this application. This library facilitates the creation of bridges between different systems. These bridges are economical, efficient, and secure, making them suitable for practical usage.

I observed Edan Yago making a statement on Twitter last Thursday, sharing that their recently published paper presents a resolution to Bitcoin’s challenge of balancing scale, computational complexity, and decentralization without the need for soft forks, upgrades, or new operational codes.

The New Bitcoin Bridge Model

As a Bitcoin analyst, I’ve observed that its layer 2 scaling solutions have encountered notable compromises compared to those built on more versatile blockchains like Ethereum. For instance, managing channels in Bitcoin’s Lightning Network can become unwieldy for individual users due to the associated costs and complexity.

I’ve observed that Bitcoin sidechains such as Liquid and Rootstock rely on a group of intermediaries to oversee the connection between the main chain (L1) and the secondary chain (L2). This setup creates a potential vulnerability, as both networks depend on this federation for proper functioning.

That’s where Grail comes in: the new system uses BitSNARK to generate SNARK proofs for Bitcoin and rollup transactions and allows secure asset transfers between L1 and L2 rollups.

In contrast to various systems that ensure security through majority votes in threshold signature schemes, BitSNARK offers enhanced security by enabling a lone honest participant to impede misconduct from any or all other participants.

As a researcher studying the Grail bridge, I’ve come across the finding that a minimum of two individuals are necessary for the bridge to operate effectively. However, theoretically, the number of operators could be greater if needed. The creators have engineered mechanisms allowing for old members to exit the group, and new members to join, ensuring flexibility in the bridge’s operational dynamics.

Yago said that the BitcoinOS team is currently aiming to design a bridge with over 100 operators.

I’ve observed that the trust assumption holds true, provided none of the involved parties conspire against it. That’s what gives it its remarkable strength.

A whitepaper appeared not long after the introduction of Runes, a Bitcoin token protocol, which has significantly increased transaction activity and fees on Bitcoin’s primary network during the previous week.

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2024-04-26 02:11