AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle is a premier trading and voting event aiming to support emerging AI crypto projects. Find out more about the five key AI mentors helping to shape the future of AI.

The AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle is a premier AI-driven event hosted by Bybit. It serves as a launchpad for emerging AI-powered crypto projects, offering them a chance to secure a Bybit Spot listing and gain industry recognition.

A key element of the event is its mentorship program, through which leading AI projects provide strategic guidance to new entrants. These mentors offer expertise in AI-driven trading, governance and 

 (DApps), helping promising startups refine their solutions and achieve long-term sustainability.

What is the Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR event?

The Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle is a unique event that merges artificial intelligence (AI) with blockchain, creating a competitive space for AI-driven crypto projects to gain visibility and adoption.

This event not only fosters innovation in AI and blockchain, but also rewards participants who engage in trading and voting.

The mentorship program is a core pillar of the AI-DOL Trading Battle, pairing AI startups with experienced industry leaders. These mentorships help AI projects refine their algorithms, governance models and trading strategies — key factors for long-term success in web3.

Here’s a look at the five key AI mentors shaping the future of AI-powered crypto:

Luna by Virtuals (LUNAI) — the AI-driven digital performer

Luna by Virtuals is a livestreaming AI influencer built on Virtuals Protocol. Originally part of an AI-powered K-pop group, Luna has over 500,000 TikTok followers, showcasing that AI-driven personalities can thrive in entertainment and web3.

Luna by Virtuals demonstrates the power of AI in digital engagement, which explores AI-driven media, decentralized content creation and tokenized engagement models. This highlights the intersection of AI, blockchain and social influence in web3.

Top Hat (HAT) — the no-code AI agent builder

Top Hat is a Solana-based AI launchpad that enables anyone to create AI agents and tokens without coding expertise. It features simplified crypto analytics, algorithmic trading and token automation, making AI technology accessible to non-technical users.

Top Hat focuses on market predictions, algorithmic trading and smart contract automation. This empowers startups to develop scalable and efficient AI trading solutions for web3.

Cookie DAO (COOKIE) — web3 AI governance and data intelligence

Cookie DAO is a decentralized AI and data governance platform that optimizes AI-driven marketing, analytics and web3 intelligence. It allows 

 data, improving automation and decision-making.

Cookie DAO integrates AI-powered governance models and data analytics into its blockchain projects, thus enhancing scalability and transparency.

ai16z (AI16Z) — AI research fund and web3 incubator

ai16z develops AI investment strategies, funding models and AI-powered blockchain applications, helping emerging projects secure financing and navigate the AI-driven crypto ecosystem. Its AI-focused venture capital and incubation platform combines community-driven funding with AI-powered decision-making, giving it a significant role in accelerating AI adoption in web3.

Alchemist AI (ALCH) — AI-powered no-code development

Alchemist AI is a decentralized AI development platform that enables natural language-based application creation. By leveraging AI and blockchain, it allows users to build, deploy and monetize AI models without expertise in coding.

Alchemist AI optimizes AI training models, automation frameworks and decentralized AI applications, bridging the gap between AI research and real-world blockchain adoption.

The AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle isn’t just a competition — it’s a launchpad for AI innovation. Mentors help AI startups scale their projects by providing expert guidance, advanced trading strategies and governance models.

Ready to join the AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle? 

, trade and vote — and support the next AI revolution in web3 now!

Beginner

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Who are the Mentors in Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR?

Trump unveiled plans for the Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile, signing Executive Order 14178. Find out how this works and the implications for Bitcoin and the crypto industry.

The US government has proposed recent initiatives for both a bitcoin strategic reserve and a US digital asset stockpile in order to create a national reserve of cryptocurrencies. The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump on Mar 7, 2025, aims to secure the country’s place in the fast-evolving crypto space. The strategic reserve would include Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, while the digital asset stockpile would include other digital assets apart from BTC. 

This article dives into Trump’s vision for crypto, reserve and stockpile details, cryptocurrencies involved, the potential impact on crypto markets and Trump’s broader initiatives for the cryptocurrency industry.

Since his inauguration, President Trump has enthusiastically embraced cryptocurrencies. His administration has rolled out pro-crypto policies to encourage growth and innovation. One standout move was appointing David Sacks, a tech and finance expert, as “AI and Crypto Czar.” Sacks is steering the US toward a crypto-friendly future, overseeing policies that would boost digital assets. 

Trump has been vocal about his ambitions, declaring on his social media channel Truth Social that the US will become the “crypto capital of the world.”

 plans for the Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile ahead of the first White House Crypto Summit in January 2025. He signed Executive Order 14178, directing the presidential Working Group to establish this digital stockpile. Think of it as a strategic petroleum reserve, but for crypto — a way to secure valuable assets for the nation’s future. 

 highlighted the move on X, calling it a game-changer. The reserve signals the government’s belief in crypto as a long-term economic tool.

How would a Bitcoin strategic reserve work?

A bitcoin strategic reserve as established in the executive order aims to establish Bitcoin as a strategic asset for the US, similar to a 

, highlighting its potential as a store of value.

The reserve's capital would come exclusively from Bitcoin that the federal government already owns, which it obtained through civil and criminal asset forfeiture proceedings, such as seizures from illegal activities (i.e., drug trafficking, money laundering and cybercrimes). This ensures that no new Bitcoin is purchased with public funds for the initial reserve, and that there's no additional cost to taxpayers.

Estimates suggest the US government currently holds around 200,000 Bitcoin (worth approximately $16.5 billion at current market prices). However, a full audit is required, as mandated by the executive order, since there is no official accounting of these holdings.

Furthermore, the government of the United States has established a policy not to sell any Bitcoin that’s added to a Bitcoin strategic reserve. This policy intends to safeguard the value of Bitcoin over the long term, and to avoid financial losses that could occur from selling the cryptocurrency prematurely. 

 Sacks, previous instances of early Bitcoin sales resulted in losses exceeding $17 billion.

Finally, the executive order authorizes the secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce departments to develop “budget-neutral strategies” for acquiring additional Bitcoin, but only if these strategies impose no incremental costs on American taxpayers. This could involve mechanisms like using future forfeiture proceeds or other cost-free methods, but no specific plans or timelines for additional purchases have been detailed.

Alongside the main crypto strategic reserve, a new executive order was also established: the US digital asset stockpile, which would include other cryptocurrencies (beyond Bitcoin) seized through legal actions, as noted in 

Unlike the initial crypto reserve, it wouldn’t actively buy new assets, but would manage existing holdings responsibly under the Department of the Treasury. The goal (per the White House fact sheet) would be to centralize and maximize the value of these assets, ensuring proper oversight and avoiding past losses from premature sales.

 by roughly 5% to $85,000 on Mar 7, 2025, possibly triggered by the announcement and expectations of larger government purchases of BTC, or even a more aggressive strategy. Over the past week, Bitcoin has declined by 11.8% amid a broader market sell-off.

Trump isn’t just talking about crypto — he’s actually acting on it. Beyond the reserve, his administration has pushed forward, for example, with regulatory changes that include the dropping of multiple enforcement cases against crypto firms, easing the way for innovation.

Since Trump took office, the SEC has backed off from several crypto enforcement actions. Dropping these cases has lifted a cloud of uncertainty, giving companies room to experiment and grow. It’s a clear sign of a more relaxed regulatory stance, aligning with Trump’s push to nurture the crypto industry instead of stifling it.

Could these actions spark a global arms race for Bitcoin?

Trump’s crypto strategic reserve, now expanded with the Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile, marks a defining moment for digital assets in America. 

By planning to stockpile Bitcoin and other seized assets, the US is staking its claim in the global crypto race and recognizing Bitcoin as a legitimate asset. This 

 to consider allocating capital to Bitcoin. 

 that this executive order is merely Trump fulfilling his obligations to the crypto crowd, arguing it’s more symbolic than transformative, akin to the 2021 

 launch, rather than the impactful January 2024 Spot Bitcoin ETF launch. Only time will tell if this move will herald a paradigm shift in global Bitcoin adoption.

bitcoin strategic reserve, digital asset stockpile

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Understanding Trump's crypto executive order: Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile

In this article, we’ll delve into Bybit Pay to discover its purpose, benefits and robust ecosystem, which caters to individuals, merchants and businesses alike.

As cryptocurrencies continue to gain mainstream adoption, the one field where they still lag behind is in daily use. Most coins and tokens are treated as speculative assets or long-term investments, not as a medium of exchange. The biggest impediment to such adoption is the lack of payment solutions designed to seamlessly merge the advantages of cryptocurrencies with the reliability of the traditional banking system.

In order to change this situation, we need a payment solution that bridges the traditional banking system and 

 to provide a seamless payment solution for the end user. The world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, 

, has launched Bybit Pay with that precise goal in mind. 

Traditional financial systems and blockchain-based ecosystems have long operated in silos, creating friction for users and businesses alike. 

 aims to bridge these barriers, allowing anyone to transact effortlessly across both worlds.

Bybit Pay supports payments in eight cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT) and the Brazilian real, and has already integrated with 

 the popular BCB-created payment platform, with more integrations likely to follow in the future.

The biggest advantage of Bybit Pay is that it acts as a bridge between fiat currency and crypto. Bybit Pay allows users and merchants to conduct transactions without worrying about the technical and regulatory challenges that typically accompany crypto payments. By converting crypto to fiat (and vice versa) in real time, the platform ensures that both transacting parties experience minimal friction when a payment is made.

Bybit Pay also unifies merchants, payment processors and service providers worldwide through a single, integrated platform. For example, a retailer in Brazil can effortlessly accept payments via Pix’s local QR code–based system without needing to understand web3, since transactions are seamlessly processed through Bybit’s infrastructure.

Merchants who support Bybit Pay tap a user base of over 60 million Bybit users globally, a large and active community that creates a network effect to benefit customers and merchants alike. The platform’s seamless integration enables merchants to reach a global audience, breaking geographical barriers that often limit growth in traditional markets. Additionally, accepting cryptocurrencies allows businesses to stay ahead of the curve by being early adopters of a payment system that could potentially redefine financial transactions.

Bybit Pay enhances user experience by simple and easy integration with 

. This allows users to keep control of their digital assets, while bridging for traditional payments.

Traders can also use Bybit Pay’s collateralized payment tool to pledge their crypto and borrow the required fiat currencies. Together, these features provide users with the ease of use of traditional finance combined with the financial flexibility of cryptocurrencies. 

Bybit Pay has developed an impressive suite of ecosystem system products that reinforce its crypto payment advantages. These include:

Bybit Pay also provides tailored solutions for businesses to streamline crypto adoption. Its merchant acquiring system offers e-commerce platforms and other businesses low-fee cryptocurrency payment processing, and enables real-time settlements in both crypto and fiat currencies. 

For developers, the API Open Platform provides a flexible tool kit that allows them to embed Bybit Pay’s infrastructure into apps, websites or custom platforms. 

Together, these tools make it easy for businesses of all sizes to tap into the global crypto user base without overhauling their existing systems.

Bybit Pay also goes beyond payments to help users grow their assets, acting as a one-stop investment center that merges spending flexibility with earning potential. Bybit Pay lets users deposit idle funds into flexible savings products to generate yield. Yields vary depending upon demand, but as of March 2025, USDT deposited for a flexible term could generate a 6.45% yield on the 

. This dual functionality ensures liquidity for daily transactions while maximizing returns. 

To further incentivize engagement, the platform also offers exclusive discounts and cashback rewards on purchases, creating a loyalty loop that benefits frequent users. High–net worth individuals gain further advantages through 

. This includes elevated cashback rates, priority access to new features and tailored discounts on premium products. 

These layered incentives not only enhance user retention, but also position Bybit Pay as a complete financial ecosystem in which spending and wealth-building can seamlessly coexist.

In late January 2025, Bybit announced the 

. This service offers a cutting-edge payment solution and integrates seamlessly with Pix, Brazil’s leading payment system. 

To celebrate this launch, Bybit Pay is hosting a 

 from Feb 28–Mar 31, 2025, blending Brazil’s festive spirit with crypto incentives. Every time a user spends 50 USDT or 250 BRL via Bybit Pay, they earn entry into a prize pool featuring luxury gadgets like an iPhone 16 Pro or PlayStation 5, or thousands of USDT 

. The more you spend, the higher your chances of winning.

Bybit Pay has the potential to make cryptocurrency payments as simple as traditional fiat payments. By merging web3 flexibility with traditional payment infrastructure, it empowers merchants and users to transact globally without sacrificing familiarity or liquidity. Its recent expansions — such as its Brazil launch and Carnival-themed incentives — reward participation while demonstrating how easily the platform integrates into daily life. 

Users can take advantage of current initiatives by registering for the 

 event. Merchants who want to integrate Bybit Pay and benefit from its vast customer base can use the 

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Bybit Pay: Bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world

MeshChain Ai (MCC) is a decentralized cloud network leveraging idle computing power for AI workloads, offering cost-efficiency, security, and scalability.

Cloud computing has been a game changer in many sectors, due to its cost savings, enhanced data security and the capacity to access data from anywhere on the globe.

However, most traditional cloud computing services are available in highly centralized data centers where control remains in the hands of a few. Such traditional infrastructure faces various challenges, such as single points of failure, cost inefficiency and threats to data privacy.

Against this backdrop, MeshChain Ai was created to leverage decentralization through 

 combined with AI to distribute computing power across the globe.

Let’s look at the way MeshChain is unlocking decentralized computing power to offer users higher latency, cost efficiency and enhanced data privacy.

 is a decentralized cloud computing network designed to provide AI workloads with a cost-efficient, secure and scalable infrastructure for their computing needs. 

With the high demand for AI services, most developers face the limitations of high costs and limited availability of computing resources to train AI models and perform computer-intensive tasks.

The project uses unused computer resources, such as idle CPUs, GPUs and RAM, to create a distributed platform that AI enthusiasts can then leverage without investing in costly infrastructure necessary for AI development.

Computing resource providers are incentivized to use MCC, the native token for the MeshChain ecosystem. Through these incentives, MeshChain can effectively fuel AI innovation by promoting a decentralized and cost-efficient cloud computing network.

In order to process AI workloads quickly and efficiently, MeshChain’s architecture is decentralized and powered by blockchain technology for transparency, security and scalability. Let’s take a deeper look at how MeshChain’s ecosystem operates.

To operate, MeshChain relies on a decentralized physical infrastructure network of computer nodes that act as resource providers on the platform. Its key components are as follows.

The system's core, the MeshChain Orchestrator, manages AI workloads between the various players. Once an Orchestrator receives a workload from an AI Engineer, it breaks it down into smaller chunks through a feature called Automatic Parallelization, and distributes these to Worker Nodes to process concurrently.

Automatic Personalization, an innovative feature of the platform, breaks down large AI workloads into smaller, manageable chunks known as workload shards. Worker Nodes process these shards in parallel to ensure fair and optimal use of available resources.

Apart from overseeing the system's workflow, the Orchestrator calculates the rewards for node providers once a task is completed.

Worker Nodes process workloads received from the Orchestrator. These nodes are equipped with computational resources to quickly process the AI requests. Once done, the Worker Nodes pass the intermediate results to Validator Nodes for processing.

Validator Nodes check the accuracy and integrity of the results generated by the Worker Nodes. This verification process is crucial to maintaining network trust.

Once the Validator Nodes have completed the verification, the outputs are passed to the MeshChain Aggregators. Then, they’re compiled and consolidated and passed on to the engineer who sent in the request. The Aggregator also passes the final output to the Orchestrator to facilitate the calculation and distribution of rewards.

A Resource Provider is a person who offers their computer resources to facilitate the processing of AI workloads on MeshChain.

You can become a resource provider on MeshChain in the following ways:

Some of the benefits of being a resource provider on MeshChain network include:

A Resource Consumer is an AI engineer or business who leverages MeshChain’s network to meet their AI workload needs. By being a Resource Consumer, you can send your AI requests, such as AI training and inferences, to the MeshChain network. In this way, you benefit from cost-efficient and secure AI development while also earning rewards for consuming the output from the network.

MCC is the native token of the MeshChain Ai network. It fuels all the transactions on the platform, ensuring a balanced flow between providers and consumers, as follows:

MCC has a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens, allocated as follows:

As of Mar 12, 2025, MCC’s price is $0.29, with a 24-hour trading volume of about $1.1 million.

MeshChain Ai is redefining the landscape of AI computing by shifting from centralized cloud infrastructure to a decentralized, distributed network. By harnessing idle computing resources across the globe, MCC provides a more scalable, cost-effective and censorship-resistant solution for AI model training and inference.

With enhanced security, lower operational costs and faster processing speeds, MCC enables developers, enterprises and AI enthusiasts to deploy AI workloads more efficiently than ever. As the demand for AI-powered applications grows, decentralized computing offers a future-proof alternative that empowers users with greater control and privacy over their data.

MCC represents the next evolution of AI computing, bringing together decentralization, performance and accessibility to drive the future of artificial intelligence.

Intermediate

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MeshChain Ai (MCC): The future of decentralized AI computing

Crypto Insights

Bitcoin’s outperformance and popularity heighten the development of Bitcoin Layer 2. Learn how it works.

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Bitcoin Outperformance Leads to the Popularity of Bitcoin Layer 2

Bitcoin trading volume as percentage of total trading volume on Bybit.Source: Bybit

There’s no denying that Bitcoin has been in the driver’s seat of the broader market rally since late September 2023, as evidenced by its ever-growing dominance. The Bitcoin dominance ratio was steady at approximately 40% in 2022, but began to climb in 2023 to a level of 51.1% (as of this writing on May 7, 2024). 

The outperformance of Bitcoin, propelled by the approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs in the U.S., has led to the popularity of Bitcoin trading as evidenced by the trading volume on Bybit, whose data suggests that BTC held by users increased by 18% on a month-on-month basis from March 2024 to April 2024. Moreover, the average trading volume percentage of Bitcoin as of total trading volume on Bybit has increased from 25.6% to approximately 31.8% as of the time of this writing. In our view, the popularity of Bitcoin trading has fueled the popularity of Bitcoin Layer 2s.

There is no consensus over the definition of a Bitcoin Layer 2. The term generally refers to a network that has a close connection with Bitcoin, aiming to improve Bitcoin's scalability, reduce transaction costs and add 

 programmability to the oldest blockchain network. In this article, we define Bitcoin Layer 2 as a separate blockchain network that connects to Bitcoin, either through bridges or other designs. Such platforms directly built on the mainnet of Bitcoin are referred to as Bitcoin protocols, including 

For detailed information on Bitcoin Layer 2 definitions, please refer to 

Bitcoin Layer 2 is still at an early stage of development. Only a few projects worked on Layer 2 solutions for Bitcoin before they became popular in early 2024. Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions have come to the spotlight since the popularity of Ordinals and Stacks in Q4 2023. 

The shift of focus into Bitcoin also comes as Bitcoin continues to outperform Ethereum and other alternative 

 as of September 2023, when the industry started to see hopes of Bitcoin Spot ETF approvals. The approval of these Spot ETFs reduces regulatory risks facing the Bitcoin blockchain, which adds to its competitive advantage against Ethereum, whose own Spot ETF approvals are uncertain as of May 2024.

What’s more, against the backdrop of the successful implementation of Ethereum’s latest road map and the popularity of Ethereum Layer 2s, the Bitcoin community has begun to explore the possibility of more utility for Bitcoin with the help of rollups and sidechains, the Layer 2 solutions that have been battle-tested in the past few years of development with other Layer 1s such as Ethreum and Avalanche.

As Bitcoin continues to gain attention, let’s explore the existing landscape of Bitcoin Layer 2.

Who are the existing players in Bitcoin Layer 2?

, there are currently 74 Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions, most of which have come into being in the past two quarters. Despite such a competitive sector, Bitcoin Layer 2s can generally be categorized based on the technology that each player adopts. In short, there are 

: state channels, sidechains and rollups. We’ll also cover Bitcoin-related protocols.

Bitcoin Layer 2 landscape. Source: Compiled by Bybit

A state channel provides a solution for enhancing scalability and efficiency in cryptocurrency transactions. These networks establish separate channels between transacting parties, enabling off-chain communication and state updates. A new channel is created between the parties involved in a transaction, serving as a communication layer that allows the parties to exchange information and update the state of their wallets off the main blockchain. State changes such as balance variations are recorded within the channel itself.

Once the communication session is complete, the channel is closed, and the final state, including the updated wallet balances, is submitted to the Bitcoin mainnet as a single transaction. Bitcoin miners then verify and incorporate this transaction, updating the network's state accordingly.

, which has been around since 2016 and endorsed by reputable Web 2.0 players, including Block’s Jack Dorsey. Major CEXs have also adopted the Lightning Network to reduce the transaction costs for users. 

State Channel Advantages and Disadvantages.Source: Compiled by Bybit

State channels offer several advantages. They enable faster transactions, since parties don’t need to wait for block confirmations on the main blockchain. Additionally, by batching multiple transactions into a single submission, users can save on transaction fees, especially when conducting multiple transactions within a single session. 

As highlighted in the above chart, in addition to the inherent security risk, Lightning Network’s capacity limitation prevents its mass adoption. Its capacity stands at 

 as of the time of writing, which is a minuscule fraction of Bitcoin’s daily transactions on centralized exchanges. 

Furthermore, the state channel is used for token exchange, which (due to the lack of a virtual machine) doesn’t have 

, a project that tries to add smart contract ability to Bitcoin by working with Lightning Network. Its team calls it a “partial-state smart-contract system” and offers the novel promise of addressing the inherent limitations of state channels. Yet, at the moment, we haven't seen the adoption of RGB's solution by major crypto primitives. That said, we’re excited to see how RGB might transform the state channel solution and provide a novel alternative to the more popular sidechains or rollup solutions. 

On a separate note, both Lightning Network and RGB don’t have their own native tokens, and thus, retail users likely won't invest in these two solutions in the near future.

A sidechain is an independent network that operates its own consensus algorithm while maintaining communication with the main network. 

To establish connectivity with the main network, sidechains employ bridges that facilitate asset transfers between the two networks. Smart contracts play a crucial role in governing the locking and minting of assets, ensuring proper asset movement between the sidechain and the mainnet. The design of sidechains can vary significantly, with some operating their own security systems separate from the mainnet while others integrate the security features of the main network.

The more established players in this field include Stacks, Liquid Network and Rootstock for Bitcoin’s sidechain solutions, while BEVM, Bouncebit, ANVM and Map Protocol, among others, are rising stars.

Bitcoin sidechain solutions.Source: Compiled by Bybit via DefiLlama and BTCL2.INFO

There are variations among these sidechains. Generally speaking, new solutions offer more comprehensive solutions, such as more advanced and Ethereum-compatible virtual machines, while the old players, such as Liquid Network, don’t own virtual machines. What’s more, some solutions introduce native tokens such as Stacks, while some adopt Bitcoin as gas tokens, such as Rootstock and 

. The adoption of a solution that’s more closely linked with Bitcoin is considered to provide greater security. 

It’s interesting to note that the new project AILayer currently sits with the highest TVL among all sidechain solutions, possibly due to anticipation around its airdrop and excitement regarding artificial intelligence (AI).

Rollups serve as an execution layer that works in conjunction with the Bitcoin network's consensus layer. Their main purpose is to enhance transaction processing. Rollup Layer 2 networks create an environment in which users can perform various operations. Transactions are organized into batches and sent to the mainnet's consensus layer for final settlement. A rollup batch can include up to 10,000 transactions, which are submitted as a single transaction to the mainnet's consensus layer for settlement. This bundling of transactions allows Layer 2 rollup networks to achieve faster speeds and reduced fees.

: optimistic rollups and zero-knowledge rollups. Optimistic rollups batch transactions without initial validation. However, there is a challenge period of approximately seven days to address security concerns. During this period, anyone can raise suspicions and provide proof of fraud to contest the rollup transaction. Once the challenge period expires, the batch is considered valid and is accepted on the Layer 1 chain.

Zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-rollups) conduct preliminary validations on each transaction using zero-knowledge validity proofs, eliminating the need for a challenge period. Consequently, transactions from ZK-rollups are instantly hashed onto the mainnet.

Bitcoin Layer 2 rollup solutions. Source: compiled by Bybit 

Ethereum’s ecosystem has been implementing both optimistic rollups and zero-knowledge rollups (ZK rollups) for a few years. Bitcoin’s Layer 2s benefit from the development, and there’s been a migration of those advanced Layer 2 technologies to the Bitcoin ecosystem.

It’s clear that ZK-rollups are more popular on BItcoin Layer 2s at the moment, likely due to their lower cost per transaction since there’s less data stored in each batch. Merlin Chain is so far the leader in this league with $1.1 billion TVL, staying ahead of its competitors following the launch of its mainnet and native token, MERL. Merlin Chain has the first-mover advantage, as a dozen DApps within the vibrant community have been up and running.

Network owns the second-largest TVL for Bitcoin’s ZK-rollup solutions, although as of May 2024, it’s only launched a testnet. We might see further inflows into the network as its airdrop plan and mainnet launch send the project buzzling.

Tuna Chain boasts dual architecture and a hybrid infrastructure of optimistic and ZK-rollups, setting itself apart from its competitors. As the first modular Layer 2 for Bitcoin, it has adopted Celestia’s data availability solution and plans to launch its own stablecoin in the second half of 2024. We haven't seen such a dual structure in the Ethereum ecosystem, so it’s interesting to observe how it pushes the limit of the two mainstream rollup solutions.

As mentioned, Bitcoin-related protocols, including Mirror, Runes and Ordinals, don’t have their own blockchain networks. Instead, they’re 

 to the Layer 1 network, i.e., the Bitcoin mainnet. 

 L2 staking protocol offers BTC staking solutions to other Layer 2s with its Mirrored Bitcoin (mBTC). 

 the centralized BTC staking that wBTC offers by decentralizing its overlapping multisig mechanism. 

 is a unique system of ordering satoshis, the smallest units of Bitcoin, allowing the creation of Bitcoin NFTs. Users can inscribe data, such as text or images, as a digital artifact onto an individual satoshi. This process creates Bitcoin-native digital artifacts (also known as Bitcoin NFTs) that can be stored, transferred and traded on the Bitcoin blockchain. 

 created by the same team that developed Ordinals, addresses the issue of congestion resulting from the inefficiency of the BRC-20 token standard within Ordinals using Bitcoin’s native UTXO transaction model.

All three of the solutions above aim to enhance the throughput of Bitcoin, while sidechains and rollups can help add smart contract ability to the Bitcoin ecosystem. As observed from the Ethereum Layer 2 evolution, rollups are a more advanced technology than sidechains, since we don’t see new projects using sidechain architecture. Essentially, sidechains are separate blockchains — and, technically speaking, all alternative Layer 1s can become sidechains as long as they enable the transfer of assets in and out of Bitcoin.

Nonetheless, a few innovative solutions for Bitcoin sidechains aim to address the inherent security risks facing the seemingly outdated Layer 2 solutions, including the merge mining concept from Rootstock. 

Frankly speaking, all risks and limitations facing Ethereum Layer 2s in their early stages of development will arise for Bitcoin Layer 2s.

Bitcoin Layer 2 Report: Bitcoin Layer 2s Set to Boom as Bitcoin Continues to Outperform

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