Top Bitcoin Layer-2 Projects to Know in 2024

Bitcoin Layer-2 networks are secondary protocols built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain to enhance its scalability and transaction efficiency. They enable faster, cheaper transactions by handling them off the main blockchain, thereby reducing congestion and fees on the Bitcoin network.

Bitcoin, the first and most prominent cryptocurrency, revolutionized the financial world with its underlying blockchain technology. However, as its popularity surged, so did the challenges related to scalability and transaction efficiency. Let’s explore the world of Bitcoin Layer-2 solutions and crucial innovations that address these challenges of the Bitcoin blockchain.

Layer-2 networks are secondary frameworks built atop the main blockchain (Layer-1) to enhance its scalability and transaction speed. These networks handle transactions off the main chain, reducing the load and increasing efficiency. They are pivotal in solving the trilemma of scalability, security, and decentralization in blockchain technology.

Here’s a deep dive into L2 networks and how they work.

Layer-2 solutions significantly contribute to the Bitcoin ecosystem by addressing scalability and transaction speed issues. They expand Bitcoin's utility beyond a store of value to a more versatile, functional cryptocurrency capable of supporting complex applications and systems.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular Layer-2 solutions for Bitcoin, which are helping optimize the blockchain for faster throughput, lower transaction fees, and bolstering adoption:

Lightning Network

Year of Launch: The concept was first proposed in a white paper in 2015, and the network started becoming operational around 2018.

Lightning Network TVL: $234 million+

The Lightning Network (LN) is a pivotal "layer 2" payment protocol designed to facilitate fast and low-cost transactions by operating on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. It aims to resolve the scalability issues associated with Bitcoin's main network by allowing transactions to occur off the main blockchain, thus increasing speed and reducing costs. The LN achieves this by creating payment channels between users, enabling them to conduct an unlimited number of transactions without needing each one to be recorded on the blockchain. Only the opening and closing balances of these channels are recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain, significantly enhancing transaction efficiency.

Since its inception, the Lightning Network has seen significant developments and growth. Notable advancements include introducing features such as Keysend and Wumbo Channels in 2020, which have increased the transaction size capabilities of the network. The LN ecosystem now encompasses a wide range of products, projects, and solutions, extending across various verticals like gaming, wallets, payments, node management, and infrastructure.

The support from prominent figures such as Jack Dorsey and the integration into platforms like Twitter for Bitcoin tips underscores its growing relevance and potential for mainstream adoption. Furthermore, the network's ability to handle up to 1 million transactions per second (TPS) theoretically, compared to Bitcoin's main blockchain, which has a throughput of around 7-10 TPS, showcases its substantial growth potential and its role in enabling Bitcoin to function more effectively as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.

Find out more about the Bitcoin Lightning Network and how it works.

Stacks

Year of Launch: Originally known as Blockstack, the project rebranded to Stacks in 2020.

Stacks TVL: $118 million+

STX Market Cap: $3.62 billion+

STX Price Performance (1Y): 231%+

Stacks, initially known as Blockstack, is a comprehensive blockchain platform designed to extend Bitcoin's functionality by introducing smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized applications (dApps). It operates as a layer for Bitcoin, akin to the Lightning Network, to preserve internet privacy and security and mitigate data breaches. The Stacks blockchain utilizes its native cryptocurrency, the STX token, for executing smart contracts and processing transactions. Stacks' innovative approach includes using Microblocks for independent validation, maintaining security tethered to the Bitcoin blockchain, and the Clarity programming language designed to enhance smart contract security and transparency. STX tokenomics are closely linked with Bitcoin, facilitating network consensus and security through token locking mechanisms, yielding Bitcoin rewards for participants.

Since its launch, Stacks has seen significant developments, such as the Nakamoto release, aimed at deepening the integration with Bitcoin by enabling the Stacks network to write directly to the Bitcoin blockchain. This development introduces sBTC, a bitcoin-pegged asset facilitating decentralized asset exchange and enhancing network utility. Stacks' ecosystem is robust, hosting various applications ranging from decentralized finance platforms like Alex and Arkadiko to NFT platforms and decentralized blogging with Sigle.

These advancements underscore Stacks' commitment to expanding the Bitcoin economy by enabling more complex functionalities, including smart contracts and apps, all secured by Bitcoin's foundational layer. The project's innovative solutions, such as the Proof of Transfer consensus mechanism and its potential for facilitating Bitcoin-based DeFi, NFTs, and other dApps, highlight its substantial growth potential within the blockchain industry.

Merlin Chain

Merlin Chain is a noteworthy Bitcoin Layer-2 project launched by Bitmap Tech, designed to enhance Bitcoin's scalability and efficiency through ZK-Rollup technology. This technology compresses transaction data significantly, enabling faster and cheaper transactions compared to Bitcoin's main chain. With its testnet launched in early 2024 and the mainnet expected soon, Merlin Chain also integrates a decentralized oracle network and on-chain BTC fraud-proof modules, bolstering both security and transparency.

The platform's native token, MERL, functions as a governance token and plays a critical role in the ecosystem. It uses the BRC-20 token standard, emphasizing its commitment to Bitcoin-native innovations. Merlin Chain stands out for its strong developer community and robust asset ecosystem, which has maintained stable or increasing asset prices even during market downturns. For potential investors, the project's integration of EVM compatibility allows seamless interaction with Ethereum-based dApps, increasing its appeal and utility within the broader crypto ecosystem.

Merlin Chain's token, MERL, was listed on KuCoin's Pre-market trading platform on April 16. You have the opportunity to buy and sell MERL at predetermined prices during this pre-market phase. The tokens will be delivered to your trading accounts once MERL is officially made available for spot trading.

Rootstock Infrastructure Framework (RIF)

Year of Launch: Rootstock (RSK) was launched in 2018.

Rootstock TVL: $152 million+

RIF Market Cap: $202 million+

RIF Price Performance (1Y): 51%+

The Rootstock Infrastructure Framework (RIF) is a comprehensive suite of open and decentralized infrastructure protocols designed to enable the rapid development of dApps on the Rootstock (RSK) blockchain, a smart contract platform secured by the Bitcoin network. RIF aims to provide developers and fintech innovators with the tools and resources necessary to create decentralized products for a more equitable financial system. It operates on top of Rootstock, offering a range of decentralized services, including payments, storage, and naming systems to simplify the user experience in interacting with blockchain technologies.

RIF's technical foundation is built on the RSK blockchain, leveraging the security and immutability of Bitcoin while providing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility for smart contracts. This unique combination allows for the deployment of decentralized applications with the robust security of Bitcoin and the flexibility of Ethereum's smart contract ecosystem. RIF's core components include the RIF Wallet for cryptocurrency transactions, RIF DeFi Gateways for accessing decentralized financial services, RIF Rollup for scalable payments, RIF Relay for simplifying gas fee payments, and RIF Flyover for seamless BTC transfers within the Rootstock ecosystem. The RIF token serves as the utility token within this ecosystem, facilitating access to and payment for these decentralized services.

Significant developments for RIF include a rebranding effort to better reflect its mission of fostering the development of scalable fintech products on the blockchain. Additionally, IOVLabs, the organization behind RIF, announced a $2.5 million grant program at Consensus 2023 to support startups and developers building DeFi applications on Rootstock. This initiative underscores RIF's commitment to expanding financial inclusion and supporting the growth of the decentralized financial ecosystem on the Bitcoin network.

Dovi

Year of Launch: The Dovi Bitcoin L2 network was introduced in 2023.

DOVI Market Cap: $8 million+

DOVI Price Performance (1Y): 61%+

Dovi is a community-driven Bitcoin Layer 2 solution that integrates with the EVM to provide a scalable, efficient, and secure smart contract platform. It aims to enhance Bitcoin's capabilities by offering features like efficient transaction processing, significantly reduced network fees, and a safer consensus mechanism. Dovi supports a diverse range of asset types, including BRC20 and ARC20 tokens, enabling fast and secure cross-chain asset transfers. It also allows for the deployment of Ethereum-designed smart contracts on the Bitcoin network, supporting a wide range of DeFi applications.

The integration of Schnorr Signatures helps enhance Bitcoin security through decentralized multi-signature transactions while optimizing block space for efficiency and privacy. Dovi's roadmap focuses on community building, ecosystem expansion, and technological innovation with a vision for long-term growth and adoption.

KuCoin Labs, the investment and incubation arm of the KuCoin ecosystem, has made a strategic investment in Dovi, signaling strong support for its development within the BTC ecosystem. It's a testament to Dovi's potential to optimize user experience and transaction efficiency within the BTC ecosystem.

CKB Public Chain

Year of Launch: CKB L2 yet to launch

CKB Market Cap: $664 million

CKB Price Performance (1Y): 188%+

The Nervos Network's announcement to promote the CKB (Common Knowledge Base) as the first "Proof of Work (POW) + UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output)" Bitcoin Layer 2 (L2) project represents a significant development in the blockchain ecosystem. This initiative aims to leverage the security and decentralization benefits of Bitcoin's POW consensus mechanism while introducing a more scalable and flexible UTXO model for handling transactions.

The CKB chain is designed to operate as a Layer 2 solution atop the Bitcoin network, thereby inheriting Bitcoin's robust security features. It aims to address scalability and interoperability challenges within the blockchain space by providing a more efficient transaction processing mechanism and enabling cross-chain interactions. This dual-layer approach allows for the creation of a decentralized platform that supports various dApps (decentralized applications) and token economies while also ensuring a high level of security and decentralization.

The CKB token presents potential opportunities from an investment perspective due to its integral role in the Nervos Network ecosystem. As the native utility token of the CKB chain, it is used for resource management, transaction fees, and governance within the network. The promotion of CKB as a Bitcoin L2 solution could significantly increase its utility and demand, especially among projects seeking to leverage Bitcoin's security without compromising on scalability. The primary use cases of the CKB token include acting as a value store within the Nervos ecosystem, facilitating cross-chain asset transfers, and serving as a stake in the network's consensus mechanism.

Liquid Network

Year of Launch: The Liquid Network was launched by Blockstream in 2018.

Liquid Network TVL: $205 million+

The Liquid Network is a Bitcoin layer-2 solution aimed at improving transaction speed and privacy for Bitcoin transactions. It operates as a sidechain to the main Bitcoin blockchain, enabling faster and more confidential transactions. One of the key features of the Liquid Network is the use of Liquid Bitcoin (L-BTC), which is pegged 1:1 with Bitcoin (BTC). L-BTC facilitates quicker transactions within the Liquid Network, allowing users to benefit from the network's enhanced features, such as confidential transactions, which obscure the amounts and types of assets being transferred, and atomic swaps, which enable trustless exchanges of different assets on the network.

Since its launch, the Liquid Network has introduced several significant developments, including the improvement of transfer speeds, with transactions being fully validated within an average of two minutes, and the introduction of confidential transactions to enhance privacy. The network also supports the issuance of new assets like utility tokens, security tokens, stablecoins, and NFTs, expanding Bitcoin's utility beyond mere transfers of value.

The operation and governance of the Liquid Network are managed by the Liquid Federation, a consortium of cryptocurrency businesses, which ensures a coordinated approach to its development. The focus on large transactions and high volumes, particularly appealing to financial institutions and exchanges, suggests a robust potential for growth. The network's commitment to enhancing Bitcoin's efficiency for large-scale transactions while maintaining a level of decentralization through its federation model positions the Liquid Network as a promising layer-2 solution with significant growth potential.

Statechains

Year of Launch: Conceptualized around 2018, Statechains are still in the developmental phase.

Statechains offer an innovative approach to scalability, enabling the transfer of coin ownership off-chain. This technology is still nascent but shows promise for micropayments and enhanced privacy. It's more of an experimental solution at this stage, exploring new ways to improve Bitcoin's scalability.

The main indicator of its growth will be the implementation and testing of Statechains in real-world scenarios, which is still pending substantial development as of February 2024.

Each of these networks brings unique features to the table. While the Lightning Network excels in processing microtransactions quickly, Stacks and RIF extend Bitcoin’s functionality with smart contracts. The Liquid Network and Statechains focus on transaction privacy and efficiency. The trade-offs usually involve varying degrees of decentralization and reliance on the main Bitcoin blockchain.

While the layer 2 projects listed above make the Bitcoin network more efficient, challenges impede widespread adoption. These include:

Technical Complexity: Layer-2 solutions, by their nature, add complexity to the Bitcoin ecosystem. This complexity can hinder user adoption, as users must understand and trust these new systems. Ensuring security while maintaining user-friendliness is a critical challenge.
Liquidity Concerns: Networks like the Lightning Network require users to lock up funds in payment channels. This requirement can lead to liquidity issues, where funds are not readily available for other uses.
Centralization Risks: Some Layer-2 solutions may inadvertently introduce centralization risks. For instance, larger payment channels in the Lightning Network might centralize transactions through a few dominant nodes, potentially undermining the decentralized ethos of Bitcoin.
Integration and Interoperability: Seamless integration with the existing Bitcoin infrastructure and interoperability between different Layer-2 solutions is crucial. Lack of interoperability can lead to fragmented ecosystems, reducing the overall efficacy of these solutions.

The higher adoption of Bitcoin and its layer-2 solutions could drive considerable innovation in making the ecosystem more scalable and easy to use. Here are some developments we could see in this space in the future:

Technological Advancements: Technological improvements will likely make Layer-2 solutions more robust, secure, and user-friendly. Innovations in cryptographic methods and consensus algorithms may offer new ways to enhance these networks.
Widespread Adoption: As awareness and understanding of Layer-2 solutions grow, we can expect wider adoption, both among individual users and institutions. The increasing need for scalable and efficient Bitcoin transactions will drive this adoption.
Integration with Traditional Finance: Layer-2 networks may play a pivotal role in bridging Bitcoin with traditional financial systems. This integration could lead to innovative financial products and services built on top of Bitcoin.
Focus on User Experience: Developers will likely emphasize improving the user experience to encourage adoption. This focus could include more intuitive interfaces, better documentation, and enhanced support systems.
Collaboration and Standardization: The future might see increased collaboration between different Layer-2 projects, leading to standardization in certain aspects. Such standardization can foster an environment where different solutions can interoperate and thrive.

Bitcoin Layer-2 solutions are pivotal in evolving the Bitcoin ecosystem. They address key challenges and open up new possibilities for Bitcoin’s adoption, marking significant strides in the journey towards a scalable, efficient blockchain ecosystem.