Bitcoin L2 Rootstock: Bringing Smart Contracts to Bitcoin
Rootstock is a smart contract platform built on top of Bitcoin, allowing for the deployment of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible smart contracts while leveraging the security of the Bitcoin network. Its core architecture includes the Rootstock Virtual Machine (RVM), a two-way pegged Bitcoin sidechain, a merge-mining-based consensus protocol, and a low-latency block-propagation network. Rootstock is important for the Bitcoin ecosystem as it enables stable value of assets collateralized by Bitcoin, protects Bitcoin miners' investments post-halving, introduces innovative sidechain technology, and provides a low-cost Bitcoin payment network. For Ethereum developers and users, Rootstock offers EVM standardization, reduced persistent chain fork risks, enhanced security, and increased transaction throughput by porting decentralized applications (dApps) to RSK. Key benefits of building on Rootstock include being secured by Bitcoin's Proof-of-Work, interoperability with Ethereum, a 1:1 pegged RBTC token to Bitcoin, enabling DeFi on Bitcoin, and being future-proofed and decentralized.
