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Blockchain General

BitVM

A computing paradigm proposed by Robin Linus in October 2023 that enables verification of arbitrary computations on Bitcoin without consensus rule changes, using an optimistic model similar to optimistic rollups. A prover claims a computation result, and any verifier can execute a fraud proof on-chain to penalize false claims. BitVM2 (2024) reduced dispute resolution to three on-chain transactions and enabled permissionless verification.

IDbitvmAliasBitcoin Virtual Machine
Plain meaning

Plain meaning

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A computing paradigm proposed by Robin Linus in October 2023 that enables verification of arbitrary computations on Bitcoin without consensus rule changes, using an optimistic model similar to optimistic rollups. A prover claims a computation result, and any verifier can execute a fraud proof on-chain to penalize false claims. BitVM2 (2024) reduced dispute resolution to three on-chain transactions and enabled permissionless verification.

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Shared crypto concepts that frame the broader ecosystem.

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BitVM (bitvm)
Category: Blockchain General
Definition: A computing paradigm proposed by Robin Linus in October 2023 that enables verification of arbitrary computations on Bitcoin without consensus rule changes, using an optimistic model similar to optimistic rollups. A prover claims a computation result, and any verifier can execute a fraud proof on-chain to penalize false claims. BitVM2 (2024) reduced dispute resolution to three on-chain transactions and enabled permissionless verification.
Aliases: Bitcoin Virtual Machine
Related: Bitcoin, Bitcoin Layer 2, Rollup
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Branch

Bitcoin

The first decentralized cryptocurrency network, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, using a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism and a UTXO-based transaction model. Bitcoin's protocol enforces a fixed supply cap of 21 million BTC, with new coins issued through mining block rewards that halve approximately every four years. It serves as both a peer-to-peer electronic cash system and a store of value, with its scripting language enabling basic programmability such as multisig and timelocks.

Proof of Work (PoW)UTXO Model
Open term
Branch

Bitcoin Layer 2

Scaling and programmability solutions built on top of Bitcoin's base layer that extend its functionality while inheriting some degree of Bitcoin's security. Major approaches include the Lightning Network (payment channels), Stacks (smart contracts via Proof of Transfer), Liquid Network (Blockstream's federated sidechain), and ZK-rollups like Citrea (using BitVM for settlement). These solutions address Bitcoin's limited throughput (~7 TPS) and restricted scripting.

Lightning NetworkLayer 2 (L2)
Open term
Branch

Rollup

A Layer 2 scaling technique that executes transactions off-chain, bundles them, and posts compressed data back to L1. Optimistic rollups assume transactions are valid and use fraud proofs for disputes (7-day challenge period). ZK rollups generate cryptographic validity proofs for every batch. Rollups inherit L1 security while providing 10-100x throughput improvement.

Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP)
Open term
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Blockchain General

Bitcoin

The first decentralized cryptocurrency network, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, using a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism and a UTXO-based transaction model. Bitcoin's protocol enforces a fixed supply cap of 21 million BTC, with new coins issued through mining block rewards that halve approximately every four years. It serves as both a peer-to-peer electronic cash system and a store of value, with its scripting language enabling basic programmability such as multisig and timelocks.

Open term
Blockchain General

Bitcoin Layer 2

Scaling and programmability solutions built on top of Bitcoin's base layer that extend its functionality while inheriting some degree of Bitcoin's security. Major approaches include the Lightning Network (payment channels), Stacks (smart contracts via Proof of Transfer), Liquid Network (Blockstream's federated sidechain), and ZK-rollups like Citrea (using BitVM for settlement). These solutions address Bitcoin's limited throughput (~7 TPS) and restricted scripting.

Open term
Blockchain General

Rollup

A Layer 2 scaling technique that executes transactions off-chain, bundles them, and posts compressed data back to L1. Optimistic rollups assume transactions are valid and use fraud proofs for disputes (7-day challenge period). ZK rollups generate cryptographic validity proofs for every batch. Rollups inherit L1 security while providing 10-100x throughput improvement.

Open term
Blockchain General

Blob Transaction (EIP-4844)

An Ethereum transaction type introduced in the Dencun upgrade (March 2024) that carries binary large objects (blobs) of temporary off-chain data. Each blob is 128 KB, committed via KZG polynomial commitments, and stored for ~18 days before pruning. Blob transactions created a separate fee market and reduced Layer 2 rollup fees by 10-100x by providing cheap, temporary data availability.

Open term
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Blockchain Generalbitcoin

Bitcoin

The first decentralized cryptocurrency network, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, using a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism and a UTXO-based transaction model. Bitcoin's protocol enforces a fixed supply cap of 21 million BTC, with new coins issued through mining block rewards that halve approximately every four years. It serves as both a peer-to-peer electronic cash system and a store of value, with its scripting language enabling basic programmability such as multisig and timelocks.

AliasBTC
Open term
Blockchain Generalbitcoin-layer-2

Bitcoin Layer 2

Scaling and programmability solutions built on top of Bitcoin's base layer that extend its functionality while inheriting some degree of Bitcoin's security. Major approaches include the Lightning Network (payment channels), Stacks (smart contracts via Proof of Transfer), Liquid Network (Blockstream's federated sidechain), and ZK-rollups like Citrea (using BitVM for settlement). These solutions address Bitcoin's limited throughput (~7 TPS) and restricted scripting.

AliasBitcoin L2
Open term
Blockchain Generalblockchain

Blockchain

A distributed, append-only ledger that records transactions in cryptographically linked blocks. Each block contains a hash of the previous block, forming an immutable chain. Nodes in the network maintain copies of the ledger and reach agreement through consensus mechanisms. Blockchains enable trustless, decentralized record-keeping without a central authority.

Open term
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Blockchain Generalbitcoin

Bitcoin

The first decentralized cryptocurrency network, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, using a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism and a UTXO-based transaction model. Bitcoin's protocol enforces a fixed supply cap of 21 million BTC, with new coins issued through mining block rewards that halve approximately every four years. It serves as both a peer-to-peer electronic cash system and a store of value, with its scripting language enabling basic programmability such as multisig and timelocks.

Open term
Blockchain Generalbitcoin-layer-2

Bitcoin Layer 2

Scaling and programmability solutions built on top of Bitcoin's base layer that extend its functionality while inheriting some degree of Bitcoin's security. Major approaches include the Lightning Network (payment channels), Stacks (smart contracts via Proof of Transfer), Liquid Network (Blockstream's federated sidechain), and ZK-rollups like Citrea (using BitVM for settlement). These solutions address Bitcoin's limited throughput (~7 TPS) and restricted scripting.

Open term
Blockchain Generalrollup

Rollup

A Layer 2 scaling technique that executes transactions off-chain, bundles them, and posts compressed data back to L1. Optimistic rollups assume transactions are valid and use fraud proofs for disputes (7-day challenge period). ZK rollups generate cryptographic validity proofs for every batch. Rollups inherit L1 security while providing 10-100x throughput improvement.

Open term
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Blockchain General

Blockchain

A distributed, append-only ledger that records transactions in cryptographically linked blocks. Each block contains a hash of the previous block, forming an immutable chain. Nodes in the network maintain copies of the ledger and reach agreement through consensus mechanisms. Blockchains enable trustless, decentralized record-keeping without a central authority.

Open term
Blockchain General

Consensus Mechanism

The protocol by which nodes in a distributed network agree on the current state of the ledger. Common mechanisms include Proof of Work (Bitcoin), Proof of Stake (Ethereum, Solana), and BFT variants. Consensus ensures all honest nodes converge on the same transaction history despite potential network delays or malicious actors.

Open term
Blockchain General

Proof of Stake (PoS)

A consensus mechanism where validators are selected to produce blocks based on the amount of cryptocurrency they have staked (locked) as collateral. PoS is energy-efficient compared to Proof of Work. Misbehaving validators risk losing their stake (slashing). Solana, Ethereum (post-Merge), Cosmos, and Cardano use PoS variants.

Open term
Blockchain General

Proof of Work (PoW)

A consensus mechanism where miners compete to solve computationally expensive puzzles to produce blocks and earn rewards. PoW provides strong security (51% attack resistance) but is energy-intensive. Bitcoin and pre-Merge Ethereum use PoW. The difficulty adjusts to maintain target block times regardless of total network hash power.

Open term