List of L2 projects on Bitcoin (2026)

Starknet is a Layer 2 ZK-rollup network on Ethereum that batches transactions off-chain and submits STARK validity proofs to Ethereum for finalization. The rollup inherits Ethereum security through cryptographic proof verification rather than economic challenge windows, enabling fast withdrawals once a proof is published. The network features native account abstraction, parallel execution, and Cairo as the smart contract language.

The Lightning Network is a peer-to-peer payment network. It leverages payment channels anchored on the Bitcoin blockchain to enable near instant and low-cost settlement of bitcoin between participants. Multiple such payment channels are chained together to deliver payments to anyone in the network without requiring trust in participants.

Liquid Network is a bitcoin layer-2 sidechain that enables rapid, confidential settlement and issuance of digital assets such as stablecoins and security tokens.

Rootstock is an EVM-compatible Bitcoin sidechain through merged mining consensus, enabling smart contract execution with RBTC as the native gas token. The system maintains a two-way peg with Bitcoin through the PowPeg mechanism while providing 30-second block times and enhanced transaction throughput.

BOB Mainnet is a hybrid rollup that combines Bitcoin security guarantees with Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility. It settles transaction proofs while checkpointing state to Bitcoin and inherits additional security from a Bitcoin-secured fraud-proof bridge design, allowing native Bitcoin to be used directly in smart contracts without a wrapped intermediary. Developers deploy standard EVM smart contracts on the network, and users access decentralized applications, staking, and lending services built on top of it through a dedicated web application.

B² Network is a Bitcoin Layer 2 network that provides EVM-compatible smart contract execution secured by Bitcoin. It combines a rollup execution layer with a Layer 1.5 consensus hub that anchors validator commitments to Bitcoin for finality, enabling fast, low-cost transactions and Bitcoin-backed decentralized applications. Developers migrate or build applications that settle back to Bitcoin, while users and AI agents transact using Bitcoin and related assets. The network underpins a broader set of bridging, staking, mining, and stablecoin services built on top of it.

Hemi is an EVM-compatible Layer 2 network that makes Bitcoin programmable by combining Bitcoin's Proof-of-Work security with Ethereum-grade smart contract execution. Its dual-layer architecture pairs the Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM), which wraps a Bitcoin node inside an EVM runtime, with the Hemi Bitcoin Kit (hBK), allowing Solidity contracts to read and verify native Bitcoin state including UTXOs, block headers, and balances. Blocks are anchored to Bitcoin via Proof-of-Proof (PoP) consensus, enabling developers to deploy Bitcoin-aware applications without bridges or wrapped assets.

Bitlayer Mainnet is a Layer 2 solution built on Bitcoin, aimed at enhancing scalability and transaction efficiency while maintaining Bitcoin's security standards. It enables low-cost transactions, smart contract functionality, and cross-chain interoperability, supporting decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and micropayments. The mainnet is designed for developers and users seeking to expand Bitcoin's utility beyond simple value transfer.

Spark is a Bitcoin Layer 2 protocol that enables wallet development and stablecoin issuance with native Bitcoin support. The system provides developer tools and infrastructure for building self-custodial wallets and launching digital assets on Bitcoin.

Botanix is a Bitcoin Layer 2 blockchain that provides EVM compatibility through the Spiderchain protocol, enabling smart contracts and DeFi applications while maintaining Bitcoin's security properties. The system uses a federated model with 16 trusted operators managing Bitcoin custody through multisig wallets. Features include Bitcoin Yield for liquid staking with stBTC tokens and Bitcoin 2100, an immersive gaming experience for ecosystem exploration.

Runes Exchange Environment (REE) implements Turing-complete smart contracts for Bitcoin through a decentralized execution layer using ICP Chain Fusion technology. The system enables composable DeFi applications while maintaining Bitcoin-native custody and user experience.

Citrea implements a Type 2 zkEVM rollup using Bitcoin as settlement and data availability layer, enabling EVM-compatible smart contracts secured by zero-knowledge proofs. The system processes transaction batches through recursive ZK proofs while maintaining trust-minimized bridging via BitVM.

OP_NET is a consensus layer on Bitcoin Layer 1 that enables smart contract deployment and execution without modifying Bitcoin's base protocol. Developers write contracts in AssemblyScript or Rust, compile to WebAssembly, and deploy them via standard Bitcoin Taproot transactions with contract bytecode embedded in witness fields. Contracts execute in a deterministic virtual machine called OP_VM, with state organized into five-block epochs (~50 minutes). Gas fees are paid in BTC with no separate token required. The protocol uses an SHA-1 near-collision mining system for reward distribution and time-delayed attestations to achieve deterministic state finality across nodes. Contract addresses use a P2OP format derived from the deployer's public key, a random salt, and the bytecode hash.