Bitcoin Developer Robin Linus Unveils Enhanced BitVM2, Promising Major Efficiency Gains Without Core Code Changes

Robin Linus, a Bitcoin developer, has made waves in the crypto world. Last year, he introduced a method to make the original blockchain more programmable. Now, he’s back with a new version called "BitVM2." This update includes significant improvements that could help bring the concept to real-world use.

The basic idea is pretty straightforward. Linus and five co-authors published a white paper explaining how they use cryptography to break programs into smaller parts. These parts can be executed within Bitcoin transactions. After that, they verify the programs with just three on-chain transactions. In the earlier version, this process took over 70 transactions, which was quite a hassle.

Alexei Zamyatin, one of the co-founders, shared, “This design gives us these major improvements.” He added that they now have a complete write-up of the BitVM paradigm.

Linus is a core contributor at the ZeroSync Association, a non-profit based in Switzerland. Alongside Zamyatin, the team includes Lukas Aumayr, Andrea Pelosi, Zeta Avarikioti, and Matteo Maffei. What’s exciting about Linus’s project is that it doesn’t require any changes to Bitcoin’s core code. This is crucial because Bitcoin is fully decentralized. Unlike Ethereum or Solana, there’s no single governing body or lead developer calling the shots.

Even small proposals, like the often-discussed OP_CAT, have struggled to gain traction among Bitcoin code maintainers. The standard for updates has become nearly total consensus. The first application of BitVM2 aims to create a “rollup.” This is essentially an auxiliary network on top of Bitcoin that can handle faster and cheaper transactions while ensuring security.

Linus’s original design sparked a lot of interest in building projects on Bitcoin. As of July, CoinDesk reported at least 83 Bitcoin layer-2 projects in the works. These include various setups, from rollups to sidechains. The new paradigm could also help create a blockchain “bridge.” This bridge would securely transfer Bitcoin to the rollup and then safely bring it back for withdrawals.

Bitcoin’s proof-of-work consensus mechanism has faced criticism for its environmental impact. This method involves data centers constantly solving cryptographic puzzles, consuming a lot of electricity. However, most blockchain experts agree that Bitcoin remains the most secure blockchain. Its security is highlighted by its $1.2 trillion market value, which is greater than all other cryptocurrencies combined.

Linus shared his thoughts on the new bridge design. He said, “Our new bridge design is simpler and more capital efficient.” He pointed out that the previous design led to liquidity issues regarding how much collateral bridge operators had to lock and for how long. Now, it requires less capital and is locked for a shorter duration.