Introduction
Beta Software Warning Botanix is currently in beta phase. Only use funds that you are willing to experiment with. Always start with small test amounts before making larger transfers.
What is the Botanix Bridge?
The Botanix Bridge is a specialized interface that enables seamless transfers of Bitcoin between the Bitcoin main chain and the Botanix blockchain. It serves as a crucial connection point in the Botanix Protocol ecosystem, allowing users to leverage their Bitcoin within an EVM-compatible environment while maintaining the underlying asset's security.
The bridge operates through a sophisticated two-way peg mechanism that facilitates:
Deposit (Peg-in): Transferring Bitcoin from the Bitcoin main chain to the Botanix blockchain
Withdraw (Peg-out): Transferring Bitcoin from the Botanix blockchain back to the Bitcoin main chain
Through these mechanisms, users can access the programmability and flexibility of Ethereum-style smart contracts while retaining the security and value proposition of native Bitcoin.
The Relationship Between Bitcoin and Botanix
Botanix is a Layer 2 protocol built on top of Bitcoin, implementing a full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) that enables complete smart contract functionality without requiring any modifications to Bitcoin Core. This creates a powerful synergy where:
Bitcoin serves as the secure foundation layer (Layer 1) for Botanix
Botanix maintains a 1:1 value relationship with Bitcoin's native currency
Bitcoin remains within the Bitcoin ecosystem rather than being wrapped on a separate blockchain
The Botanix blockchain uses an account-based model (vs. Bitcoin's UTXO model) for greater flexibility
When Bitcoin is transferred to Botanix via the bridge, the original funds remain secured in a multisignature wallet, secured by sixteen decentralized members of the Botanix Federation. Simultaneously, an equivalent amount of BTC is minted on Botanix and deposited into the user's wallet.
How the Bridge Works
Deposits (Peg-in):
Users send Bitcoin on the Bitcoin blockchain to a specially generated taproot gateway address that encodes their Botanix address
After confirmation on the Bitcoin blockchain, a peg-in proof is constructed to verify the transaction
The Minting contract on Botanix verifies this proof and mints an equivalent amount of Bitcoin on Botanix, minus transaction fees
These newly minted tokens (BTC) become immediately available in the user's Botanix wallet
Withdrawals (Peg-out):
Users initiate a transaction on Botanix that burns their Bitcoin
Bitcoin is released from the secure multisig wallet to the user's specified Bitcoin address
Withdrawals are processed approximately every 10 minutes (with each epoch block)
Overview of the Bridge Architecture
The Botanix Bridge operates as a crucial connection point between the Bitcoin blockchain and the Botanix network. The bridge's architecture is designed to maintain security, transparency, and efficiency while facilitating the seamless movement of assets between chains.
At its foundation, the bridge architecture consists of three primary components:
User Interface (Botanix Bridge): The front-end application that users interact with to perform deposits and withdrawals. It provides a straightforward interface for initiating cross-chain transfers and monitoring their status.
SideCar Server: A helper service that abstracts the technical complexity of cross-chain transfers. The SideCar assists with generating gateway addresses, constructing cryptographic proofs, and facilitating the communication between the Bitcoin blockchain and Botanix.
Minting Contract: A smart contract deployed on Botanix that handles the minting and burning of Bitcoin tokens. This contract verifies deposit proofs and manages the token supply to maintain the 1:1 peg with Bitcoin on the main chain.
The bridge implements a series of security measures to ensure the safe transfer of assets:
Cryptographic verification of all transactions
Multi-signature authorization for fund movements
Threshold signatures using the FROST scheme
Transparent on-chain verification
This architecture enables users to seamlessly transfer Bitcoin between chains while maintaining the security guarantees that Bitcoin users expect.
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