BitVM WG: Intro Thread

[kenrogers]

👋 Introduction:

BitVM was introduced by the ZeroSync team in October 2023. It offers major improvements to bridging designs on Bitcoin and creates a new design space of Bitcoin applications. This working group will contribute to BitVM core development and research applications to integrate it with the Stacks blockchain. Learn more about how the Stacks Foundation and broader ecosystem are supporting this effort in this announcement.

🎯 Objective & Scope:

The purpose of this WG is to explore how BitVM might be used to improve the trust assumptions of Bitcoin layers and projects. It will leverage Stacks as a robust case study.

BitVM is a computing paradigm that enables a wide range of use cases on Bitcoin, including Bitcoin rollups, trust-minimized bridges, and more. The core design of BitVM takes computation off-chain and implements a fraud-proving mechanism on the Bitcoin blockchain.

The WG will collaborate with BitVM core developers and contribute to the code base as applicable. Many in the Stacks ecosystem, including the Stacks Foundation, believe BitVM can be a key piece of infrastructure in a rapidly developing Bitcoin ecosystem. All of the data, research, reports, and code generated by the Working Group will be open-sourced and made available so that the entire Bitcoin ecosystem can benefit.

📦 Deliverables:

• A clear analysis of BitVM as means to improve the trust assumptions of the Stacks network, in particular, sBTC. This may include 3rd-party research reports or analysis as needed.
• Open-source code that can be used and abstracted by other Layer 2 solutions that hope to leverage BitVM
• If a viable path for Stacks + BitVM is found that improves the network, the WG will produce a SIP covering the integration path and any relevant tradeoffs or data the community will need to make a decision.
• Support for BitVM core developers as they progress on a production version of BitVM.

📅 Timeline

This is an unknown for the time being, but work to onboard contributors will begin immediately. We expect to share WG/project milestones in Q2 2024 as the WG coalesces and begins to map out the scope of work to be done and any related workstreams or dependencies. A live Stacks + BitVM integration would be a stretch in 2024 given where BitVM is currently as well as commitments to Nakamoto and sBTC launches on the Stacks side. However, it is crucial this work begins now and we hope that this WG will help to further accelerate BitVM’s incredible progress to date.

👑 Lead

Hey, I’m Kenny Rogers, Developer Advocate at the Stacks Foundation. The WG is in search of a permanent lead, but in the interim I will steward initial action items such as the building out of the group including the open position here at the Stacks Foundation, as well as gathering community feedback on milestones and plans.

🤝 Team

We’re actively looking for contributors! Please reach out to bitvm-wg@stacks.org if you’re interested in contributing and tell us more about what you can bring to the group. So far, we have received confirmation that the following individuals will contribute (with more hoping to join after major launches this year):

Diwaker Gupta, Hiro
Andre Serrano, sBTC Resident
Ashton Stephens, sBTC SIP Lead

🗣️ Meeting schedule and format:

This will be established in initial WG meetings based on the group that forms and their availability. Most work will be done asynchronously.

✍ Additional Context:

As some of the earliest proponents of extending Bitcoin’s functionality, we’re very excited about the potential for BitVM to improve the security and trust assumptions of the whole Bitcoin ecosystem. We are anxious to rally resources and talent from the Stacks ecosystem to support the continued development of BitVM as a critical piece of securing the future growth of the Bitcoin economy.

[yimingWOW]

Very promising work plan, I have sent an email and hope to be part of it