Merlin Chain, BitcoinOS partner to unveil ZK-powered Bitcoin bridge

Merlin Chain, a layer- 2 (L2) scaling solution, has partnered with BitcoinOS, a Bitcoin rollups protocol, to deploy the BitcoinOS Grail bridge.

According to a press release shared with Cointelegraph, the collaboration is expected to improve the security and scalability of cross-chain transactions without centralized trust mechanisms.

In a Q&A with Cointelegraph, Jeff Yin, founder of Merlin Chain, explained that the partnership will provide users with a “trustless, decentralized” bridge for “Bitcoin-native assets.” 

“By integrating BitcoinOS’s Grail bridge, users can experience [...] zero-knowledge verification, ensuring a high level of security. This will allow users to move assets seamlessly between Merlin Chain and Bitcoin layer-1.”

Related: Bitcoin mainnet receives first-ever verified ZK-proof

Focus on cross-chain security

The partnership’s core goal is to introduce the Grail Bridge, which will establish zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) empowered trustless bridging written directly onto the Bitcoin ( BTC ) blockchain.

According to the press release, the development eliminates the need for centralized security measures, including multisig or multiparty computation (MPC) used in cross-chain transactions.

Yin explained that the collaboration is “just the beginning” as both entities work toward “a more secure and interoperable Bitcoin ecosystem.”

Related: Bitcoin needs layer-2 networks more than Ethereum does — Merlin Chain founder

Challenges and future developments

Yin also explained the challenges that could arise from the partnership, including “ensuring the smooth implementation of the BitcoinOS Grail bridge on the Merlin Chain.”

“Deploying new technologies like BitSNARK for zero-knowledge proofs and integrating them into a large ecosystem require rigorous testing to ensure they operate as intended without vulnerabilities.”

He also highlighted the need for “infrastructure to handle increased transaction volumes” without sacrificing security will be “crucial” for the days ahead.

“Future developments may include expanding the capabilities of the Grail bridge, launching new decentralized applications, and exploring additional innovations that enhance trustless interoperability across the Bitcoin network.”

Related: BTCFi innovation to match Ethereum DeFi in the future — MerlinSwap co-founder

First ZKP on Bitcoin mainnet

On July 24 at 11:22 pm UTC, BitcoinOS successfully verified the first ZKP on the BTC mainnet to unlock new planes of functionality and scalability on the blockchain.

Edan Yago, the co-founder of BitcoinOS, informed Cointelegraph of the development’s significance at the time, describing it as representing “an era where Bitcoin is no longer just digital gold.”

Yago explained that it marked “a chapter” where Ethereum, Solana, and other layer-1 projects “are no longer safe from competition by Bitcoin.”

Magazine: Help! My parents are addicted to Pi Network crypto tapper