- Bitcoin maxis shun other chains.
- The new BitcoinOS Grail bridge intends to “unite all of crypto.”
- Cardano to become an extension of BTC through the bridge.
Despite efforts to improve Bitcoin’s functionality, such as the launch of Ordinals in 2023, which enabled NFTs via data inscription on individual satoshis, the Bitcoin base layer still lacks support for flexible, programmable smart contracts.
BitcoinOS’ solution is to bridge Bitcoin to more expressive blockchains, starting with Cardano. Yet, the Grail Bridge initiative has stirred controversy, with Bitcoin maximalists and Cardano skeptics alike voicing opposition to the initiative.
Bitcoin Maxis Not Impressed
At the recent Cardano Summit, BitcoinOS CEO Edan Yago announced the Grail Bridge, a cross-chain initiative aimed at giving Bitcoin “brains and eyes” by connecting it to other blockchains.
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While many view the project as a step toward greater interoperability in the blockchain ecosystem, critics have expressed significant reservations.
Podcaster Peter McCormack dismissed the Grail bridge as a “scam,” highlighting a BTC/ADA price chart to emphasize ADA’s declining value against Bitcoin over time.
Dallas Rushing, CEO of Satoshi, took a similar stance, suggesting that Cardano is leveraging Bitcoin’s liquidity and reputation “for survival” to remain relevant in the crypto space.
Adding to the critique, X influencer 0xNLY.arf argued that the integration is overhyped, pointing out that the BitcoinOS technology isn’t exclusive to Cardano and will eventually be extended to other chains.
Not Just Another Cardano Bridge
Although it’s called the Grail Bridge, Yago clarified that the technology goes beyond a typical crypto bridge and is better described as ‘ZK verification on Bitcoin.’
Unlike standard blockchain bridges, which rely on smart contracts and centralized entities to lock assets and issue wrapped tokens on other chains, this setup removes the need for intermediaries.
Instead, the Grail Bridge employs open-source zero-knowledge cryptography, allowing Bitcoin users to connect with other blockchains without intermediaries. This trustless setup represents a major shift, prioritizing security and decentralization over conventional bridging methods.
As both Bitcoin and Cardano are UTXO-based, BitcoinOS stated that there is “heightened compatibility between the two chains,” and the bridge enables Cardano smart contracts that execute on Bitcoin.
Input Output CEO Charles Hoskinson shared that the team is developing a feature allowing Grail Bridge users on Bitcoin to pay fees directly in BTC. This advancement would effectively add an expressive smart contract layer to Bitcoin.
On the Flipside
- Hoskinson previously stated that the industry does not need Bitcoin.
- The Ordinals and Runes protocols faced similar resistance.
Why This Matters
While maxis paint the Grail bridge as a threat, Bitcoin stands to gain unprecedented utility by tapping into Cardano’s smart contract capabilities without compromising its core properties.
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