Ledger CTO supports the introduction of new OP codes and Layer 2 technology to realize Bitcoin’s potential

Charles Guillemet, the Chief Technology Officer of Ledger, shared his transformation from initial skepticism to a deep understanding of the potential of Bitcoin in a recent interview. Guillemet stated that, in its current form, Bitcoin cannot be used for wider purposes due to its small and scarce block space, as well as its lack of scalability. Guillemet suggested that a scaling solution could allow Bitcoin to support various use cases, including anchoring data from other systems and executing states. He proposed creating a powerful second-layer solution for Bitcoin, which could achieve more efficient and scalable transaction processing while utilizing the security of the Bitcoin blockchain. However, Guillemet also pointed out that merely anchoring data (hashes) to the Bitcoin blockchain is not enough to ensure the validity of the data, unless there is additional background and execution proof. Guillemet believes that innovations like OP_CAT or other progressive methods could enhance the functionality of Bitcoin, allowing it to support a wider range of applications without compromising its core principles. Guillemet specifically advocates for the use of dedicated new OP codes, which would allow for the verification of ZK proofs on the chain, enabling an enhanced Layer 2 Bitcoin solution. The ability to combine ZK proofs with Layer 2 would reduce the trust required for off-chain processing and expand the potential of Bitcoin as a data settlement layer beyond finance, without the need for increased block space.