BitcoinOS verifies the first proof of ZK in Bitcoin history

BitcoinOS (BOS) developers made blockchain history on Tuesday by successfully verifying the first zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) on the Bitcoin mainchain.

This milestone opens the door to truly minified Bitcoin Layer 2 staking systems, which offer unlimited scalability and functionality for Bitcoin without the need for changes to its underlying consensus code.

Bitcoin now has ZK proof

According to the BitcoinOS team, the final verification of their first ZK test occurred at block 853626.

The cryptographic test allowed them to successfully emulate on-chain pacts – a type of conditional Bitcoin payments developers previously thought would require a base layer soft fork to run.

Specifically, the team demonstrated that they could create a UTXO controlled by a ZK smart contract and then move the UTXO once the proper proof was provided. No individual or federation had control over the funds, only a smart contract.

“This is the first permissionless upgrade to the Bitcoin system, removing the reliance on soft forks and improving Bitcoin’s ability to scale and innovate,” said Edan Yago, BitcoinOS Lead Contributor. “It opens the door for developers to build efficiently on top of Bitcoin, fostering true decentralization.”

Unlike existing Layer 2 (L2) solutions that require trust in a centralized entity, BitcoinOS will be an aggregated Bitcoin system that requires absolutely minimal trust.

The L2 system ensures decentralization by leveraging a set of dynamic operators that verify bridge transactions between Bitcoin L1 and L2. This approach enhances security against potential threats, including those from nation-state coalitions, through strong cryptographic safeguards.

Uniting all cryptography into Bitcoin

BitcoinOS aims to unify the security of Bitcoin with the versatility of L2 stacks, potentially luring the $1.1 trillion altcoin ecosystem home to Bitcoin. Its modular architecture enables seamless interoperability between multiple packages, simplifying asset transfers and improving user experience across the network.

“With the introduction of BitcoinOS, Bitcoin is reaching parity with all other systems,” Yago told CryptoPotato, referring to its ability to adopt Solana-level scale and functionality through stacks.

The contributor hypothesized that crypto in general will have to move from an era of “fragmentation” to “consolidation” as it matures, as other innovative industries have done over time.

Because of its size, network effects, security and branding, Yago believes that Bitcoin will be the network to which all cryptocurrencies converge, especially now that it can achieve the same functionality as its rivals.

“If the last fifteen years were about fragmentation, the next ten to fifteen years will be about consolidation,” he said, “with Bitcoin ultimately proving to be the big winner.”

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