Sergio Lerner of RootstockLabs recently addressed the challenges and advancements in Bitcoin bridging during an exclusive interview. The conversation focused on the intricate nature of creating interoperable networks given Bitcoin’s stringent consensus rules and limited scripting language, which have historically complicated cross-chain transactions. This complexity stands in contrast to other blockchain networks that have adopted interoperability with greater ease.
To tackle these issues, Bitcoin Virtual Machine (BitVM) protocols have been introduced. However, these solutions often involve trade-offs such as increased complexity and a decrease in decentralization. Sergio Lerner pointed out the inherent limitations of Bitcoin’s scripting capabilities, stating they were not designed to handle the sophisticated computations necessary for decentralized bridges.
Lerner mentioned that although BitVM protocols have been developed to address some challenges by allowing disputable computing for complex computations, their initial iterations seemed inefficient. In response, he and his colleagues at RootstockLabs and Fairgate Labs developed BitVMX, aiming to address unanswered questions from earlier protocols.
Despite overcoming some obstacles, BitVM protocols still rely on trusted external parties to resolve disputes on the network, which adds new security assumptions and impacts decentralization. Such a necessity arises primarily when the protocol aims to offer services to unknown parties.
Lerner advocates for BitVMX as a promising approach for Bitcoin bridging. According to him, it represents the most cost-effective and resource-efficient disputable computing protocol for Bitcoin, suggesting a potential for building validating bridges within the network. Nevertheless, he cautions against premature deployment without thorough testing, warning that it could jeopardize users’ funds.
