{"version":1,"id":"bitlayer","title":"Bitlayer","summary":"Bitlayer is a projects-and-protocols that builds a Bitcoin-native Layer 2 and tooling (BitVM/rollup, bridge, and wrapped-BTC products) to enable EVM-compatible smart contracts and Bitcoin DeFi.","content":"**Bitlayer** is a Bitcoin Layer 2 network designed to extend Bitcoin’s scalability and programmability while retaining its security properties. Its infrastructure includes a proof-of-stake-based V1, the Bitcoin-native Bitlayer Rollup (V2), BitVM-based smart contracts, and the BitVM Bridge for trust-minimized BTC transfers. [\\[10\\]](#cite-id-MOJHuqrx9cygqHrB) \n\n## Overview\n\nBitlayer is a Bitcoin Layer 2 network designed to address limitations of the Bitcoin base layer, including transaction throughput, transaction costs, limited programmability, and the lack of a trustless BTC bridge. Its architecture is intended to combine Bitcoin’s security and decentralization with higher transaction capacity and Turing-complete smart contracts, while supporting Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, enabling developers to deploy Ethereum-based applications and tooling with minimal modifications. Bitlayer’s architecture has evolved through multiple versions. Bitlayer PoS (V1) launched its mainnet in April 2024, while Bitlayer Rollup (V2) is designed as a subsequent architecture based on rollups and the BitVM paradigm. The project also includes the BitVM Bridge, a trust-minimized mechanism for transferring BTC assets, as well as research on Bitcoin scaling, interoperability, and programmable infrastructure. The broader objective is to provide infrastructure for Bitcoin-based financial applications while retaining a connection to Bitcoin’s base-layer security model. V2 is intended to expand these capabilities through a rollup architecture and a more trust-minimized approach to BTC interoperability. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-wi6sppl0tl) \n\n## Features\n\n### BitVM\n\nBitVM is a framework for implementing smart-contract-like functionality on Bitcoin, which does not natively support general-purpose smart contracts. It represents contract logic through predefined graphs of Bitcoin transactions that are constructed and pre-signed by participating parties, with mechanisms such as connector outputs, timelocks, and cryptographic commitments used to control state transitions and handle dynamic transaction data. BitVM1 focused on generic computation using a two-party challenge mechanism, while BitVM2 introduced permissionless challenges and was developed through work by the broader BitVM developer and research community, including Bitlayer.\n\nBitVM contracts can support applications including verifiable computation, cross-chain bridges, and Bitcoin Layer 2 systems. Because Bitcoin transactions are largely static once signed, BitVM uses techniques such as commit-and-reveal for unknown witness data and flexible sighash flags or application-level mechanisms for unknown recipient addresses. A contract is generally created by defining its transaction graph, having an attesting committee review and pre-sign the transactions, and publishing the finalized graph; the security model depends on the implementation and can range from trusted or honest-majority assumptions to an “honest one” model in which security requires at least one honest participant. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-e9pi10swcx) \n\n### Bitlayer Rollup\n\nBitlayer Rollup (V2) is a planned upgrade to Bitlayer’s existing Layer 2 infrastructure, replacing its sidechain architecture with a Bitcoin-native rollup. It aggregates Layer 2 transactions and state transitions before submitting updated state roots and cryptographic proofs to Bitcoin Layer 1, with finality tied to Bitcoin confirmations. V2 is designed to increase transaction throughput and reduce costs while supporting Turing-complete smart contracts and maintaining EVM compatibility with applications developed for Bitlayer V1 and Ethereum.\n\nBitlayer Rollup uses a hybrid proving system based on BitVM2 that combines zero-knowledge validity proofs with optimistic fraud proofs. State roots are treated as valid unless challenged during a seven-day dispute period, during which participants can post a deposit to dispute an invalid state root or proof; the losing party’s deposit is awarded to the winner. The architecture also incorporates the BitVM Bridge for trust-minimized BTC transfers, Bitcoin Layer 1 verification of EVM state transitions, and flexible data-availability options that can use Bitcoin-native or third-party infrastructure. Security depends on at least one honest and active participant monitoring the rollup and initiating challenges when fraudulent activity is detected.  [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-ai7cp0i7rz) \n\n![](https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmZueHTEioT76yc8F54SA2oeMWXEfsWhdfkxBzk1v4owAp)\n\n### BitVM Bridge\n\nBitVM Bridge is a BTC bridging system developed by Bitlayer that uses BitVM smart contracts and fraud proofs to transfer Bitcoin into the Bitlayer ecosystem and other supported networks. It is designed as a trust-minimized alternative to bridges that rely on centralized or distributed custodians, with a security model that requires at least one honest participant rather than an honest majority. The bridge initially supports Bitlayer Rollup and Ethereum, with the architecture intended to extend to additional EVM and non-EVM networks.\n\nThe bridge issues YBTC as a representation of Bitcoin on supported networks. Users receive YBTC by locking BTC in a BitVM smart contract, with the token designed to maintain a 1:1 backing by the locked Bitcoin. YBTC is not a liquid staking token because the underlying BTC remains locked and is not used elsewhere, with the bridge’s security instead relying on the BitVM contract and its associated verification and dispute mechanisms. [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-gt2ubvrjdy) \n\n### YBTC\n\nYBTC is a Bitcoin-pegged token designed to represent BTC across multiple blockchain networks using the Bitlayer BitVM Bridge. It can only be minted through the official bridge, which uses the BitVM2 paradigm and a pre-signed transaction graph to control the movement of the underlying Bitcoin. The BTC backing YBTC is held in a BitVM-style smart contract on Bitcoin, with an attester-based security model that requires at least one honest attester to prevent unauthorized withdrawals. YBTC is designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with BTC, with BTC withdrawals requiring the corresponding YBTC to be burned on the relevant chain.\n\nYBTC is an ERC-20 token that can be used in DeFi applications, including lending, decentralized exchanges, and staking protocols. It is designed as a multi-chain asset, with initial support for Ethereum and Bitlayer and planned expansion to additional Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. For applications, YBTC provides access to BTC liquidity across multiple chains without relying on a centralized custodian, allowing protocols to integrate a common BTC-backed asset across different blockchain environments. [\\[11\\]](#cite-id-wTt4DQS7Px0ipd7p) \n\n![](https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmWcTTa4NSt6jT211oYxpgySBNLBZ539rP7mZf99MTiyJz)\n\n#### YBTC.B\n\nYBTC.B is a wrapped version of Bitlayer Native BTC designed to provide a standardized representation of Bitcoin across EVM and non-EVM blockchain networks. It is intended to make BTC usable within DeFi applications such as lending markets, automated market makers, staking systems, and yield-generating vaults, while maintaining a 1:1 value relationship with Bitlayer Native BTC. YBTC.B originates on Bitlayer and can be bridged to other networks, with deployed versions on external chains primarily using Chainlink CCIP for cross-chain transfers.\n\nYBTC.B is backed 1:1 by Bitlayer Native BTC and can be minted through verified smart contracts by depositing the underlying asset. Its V2 contract implements the ERC-4626 standard, supports deposits of Bitlayer Native BTC or Bitlayer WBTC, and provides functions to query the underlying assets and total supply. YBTC.B uses eight decimals compared with 18 for Bitlayer Native BTC, with a fixed conversion ratio of 1e10 units; deposits are restricted to multiples of 1e10 to prevent precision loss. Users can acquire YBTC.B by bridging BTC via Bitlayer’s infrastructure, purchasing it via supported DEX liquidity pools, or using it as collateral or as a borrowable asset on compatible lending platforms. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-rr0bvgus7s) \n\n## BTR\n\nBTR is the governance token of the Bitlayer ecosystem, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens. It is primarily used for ecosystem incentives and governance, with tokens distributed to participants such as developers, users, and partners as part of the ecosystem’s incentive mechanisms. BTR also provides holders with governance rights, allowing them to participate in decisions that affect the Bitlayer ecosystem, including voting on proposals and on adjustments to protocol or ecosystem parameters. [\\[8\\]](#cite-id-r7v26loru4)  [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-irkgeci0oy) \n\n## Partnerships\n\n* Sui\n* Ethereum\n* Transporter\n* BNB Chain\n* Plume Network\n* PancakeSwap\n* Cetus\n* Pell\n* Wormhole\n* Momentum Finance\n* LFJ\n* GitBook\n","categories":[{"id":"projects-and-protocols","title":"projects-and-protocols"}],"tags":[{"id":"Layer2"},{"id":"Infrastructure"},{"id":"Bridge"},{"id":"DeFi"},{"id":"Bitcoin"}],"images":[{"id":"QmWGZENtxFeZHZ6AhQT7ThrNdYqHJc5bzGA1ekewaWx8rq","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"media":[{"id":"QmWcTTa4NSt6jT211oYxpgySBNLBZ539rP7mZf99MTiyJz","name":"YBTC.png","source":"IPFS_IMG","thumbnail":"QmWcTTa4NSt6jT211oYxpgySBNLBZ539rP7mZf99MTiyJz","caption":""},{"id":"QmZueHTEioT76yc8F54SA2oeMWXEfsWhdfkxBzk1v4owAp","name":"HkUdt6kIzUgzNX38.jpeg","source":"IPFS_IMG","thumbnail":"QmZueHTEioT76yc8F54SA2oeMWXEfsWhdfkxBzk1v4owAp","caption":""}],"metadata":[{"id":"rootdata_profile","value":"https://www.rootdata.com/Projects/detail/Bitlayer?k=MTEwMjQ="},{"id":"website","value":"https://bitlayer.org/"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://twitter.com/BitLayerLabs"},{"id":"github_profile","value":"https://github.com/bitlayer-org/bitlayer-materials"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitlayerlabs/"},{"id":"medium_profile","value":"https://medium.com/@Bitlayer"},{"id":"coingecko_profile","value":"https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/bitlayer-bitvm"},{"id":"telegram_profile","value":"https://t.me/bitlayerofficial"},{"id":"discord_profile","value":"https://discord.gg/bitlayer"},{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"wi6sppl0tl\",\"url\":\"https://docs.bitlayer.org/docs/Learn/Introduction\",\"description\":\"Bitlayer documentation introduction\",\"timestamp\":1788184029717},{\"id\":\"qdifub7vns\",\"url\":\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitlayer/\",\"description\":\"CoinMarketCap founders and mainnet\",\"timestamp\":1788184029717},{\"id\":\"hwr6a8ryci\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/BitlayerLabs\",\"description\":\"Bitlayer profile backers\",\"timestamp\":1788184029717},{\"id\":\"e9pi10swcx\",\"url\":\"https://docs.bitlayer.org/docs/Learn/Technologies/bitvm-smart-contract\",\"description\":\"BitVM alliance membership\",\"timestamp\":1788184029718},{\"id\":\"ai7cp0i7rz\",\"url\":\"https://docs.bitlayer.org/docs/Learn/Bitlayer%20Rollup/overview\",\"description\":\"Bitlayer V2 overview\",\"timestamp\":1788184029718},{\"id\":\"gt2ubvrjdy\",\"url\":\"https://docs.bitlayer.org/docs/BitVMBridge/Concepts/overview/\",\"description\":\"BitVM Bridge overview\",\"timestamp\":1788184029718},{\"id\":\"rr0bvgus7s\",\"url\":\"https://docs.bitlayer.org/docs/YBTCFamily/YBTC.B/introduction\",\"description\":\"YBTC.B purpose and backing\",\"timestamp\":1788184029718},{\"id\":\"r7v26loru4\",\"url\":\"https://docs.bitlayer.org/docs/Learn/Introduction/BTRToken/en\",\"description\":\"BTR role and supply\",\"timestamp\":1788184029718},{\"id\":\"irkgeci0oy\",\"url\":\"https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/bitlayer\",\"description\":\"CoinGecko BTR ticker and chains\",\"timestamp\":1788184029718},{\"id\":\"MOJHuqrx9cygqHrB\",\"description\":\"Bitlayer\",\"timestamp\":1788184356349,\"url\":\"https://www.bitlayer.org/\"},{\"id\":\"wTt4DQS7Px0ipd7p\",\"description\":\"YBTC | Bitlayer Docs\",\"timestamp\":1788184536247,\"url\":\"https://docs.bitlayer.org/docs/YBTCFamily/YBTC/introducing-ybtc\"}]"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"Create Bitlayer wiki"}],"events":[{"type":"DEFAULT","title":"All-time high price reported by CoinGecko","date":"2026-02-01","description":"CoinGecko reported Bitlayer's all-time high price.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"647ff927-7a51-4fc1-a53e-275e7b8cc9ff"},{"type":"DEFAULT","title":"All-time low price reported","date":"2026-07-01","description":"All-time low price reported for Bitlayer.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"bb3476b9-4663-4178-90e0-efd5d3fe795c"}],"linkedWikis":{"founders":["charlie-yechuan-hu"],"blockchains":["ethereum","binance-smart-chain","avalanche","solana","starknet","sui"],"speakers":[]},"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0xacb6c5AD52b8f605299B0d774CE97F26e3DB80c2"},"language":"en","operator":{"id":"0xacb6c5AD52b8f605299B0d774CE97F26e3DB80c2"}}