Here we report on the progress of the leading builders in the Bitcoin ZKonomy, documenting recent significant releases, technical breakthroughs and general updates 👇

ZeroSync
@robin_linus, CEO of @ZeroSync_, presented a new BitVM3 document with the participation of @JeremyRubin of @JudicaOrg, @liameagen of @AlpenLabs, and @ekrembal_ of @citrea_xyz, in which SNARK verification on Bitcoin is moved off-chain using an RSA-based garbled circuit. This reduces on-chain data from megabytes to 56 kB for assertions and just 200 bytes for fraud proofs, enabling more efficient, trust-minimized computation despite a large one-time off-chain setup:
Additionally, Robin joined @sd_eigen of @GOATRollup, @PimaBTC of @BimaBTC, @trackoor of @nubit_org, @AlpacaYovela of @fiamma_labs and @nikki_sunset of @build_on_bob at House of ZK’s Bitcoin Economy Conference to discuss the current state, challenges, and future of BitVM2 - including its technical trade-offs, security models, and the promise of BitVM3 with garbled circuits for scaling Bitcoin:

GOAT Network
@GOATRollup has launched the first production-ready Bitcoin-native zkRollup with an economic model tackling incentive gaps in existing rollup designs. It introduces a “Universal Operator” role for balanced responsibilities, a multi-round challenge process that cuts finality to under 24 hours, and dual-slashing for security. These innovations aim to ensure fairness, decentralization, and long-term sustainability in Bitcoin’s L2 ecosystem:
In addition, the project announced several new partnerships:
• @DesynLab: Expanding access to structured liquidity strategies on GOAT Network. Users can launch and manage curated vaults, engage in yield farming, and access multi-strategy products - all aligned with GOAT’s modular DeFi infrastructure and BTCFi vision:
• @UXLINKofficial: Powering GOAT’s social infrastructure through universal gas abstraction, account abstraction, and chain-agnostic tools to support Web3 app growth:
• @BSquaredNetwork: Advancing Bitcoin-native programmability and infrastructure. GOAT brings BitVM2 integration with enhanced Sequencer architecture, while B² contributes foundational tools for smart systems - together enabling scalable and rewarding BTCFi experiences:
Notably, GOAT Network was a major sponsor of @HouseofZK’s Bitcoin Economy Conference in Las Vegas. The team attended the following panels:
1) @Waggle_GOATL2, Head of Growth at GOAT Network, joined @BoazKantor of @StarkWareLtd, @andrerserrano of @BitcoinL2Labs & @Stacks, @PimaBTC of @BimaBTC, and @realSidhuJag of @syscoin to discuss the urgent need for Bitcoin L2 solutions, the trade-offs between different scaling approaches, and how emerging protocols are shaping the next phase of Bitcoin’s evolution beyond just a store of value - into a programmable, scalable financial layer:
2) In the following panel, Dr. Redouane Elkamhi, Chief Economist at GOAT Network, along with @0xNorby of @nubit, @bensig of @BitcoinLibre, @starkandlime of @StarkWareLtd, and @tobynovum of @ordinalsbot, talked about the evolving landscape of Bitcoin-native yield, dissecting what makes sustainable yield generation possible without sacrificing decentralization or security:
3) Later, Core Contributor of GOAT Network @kevinliub discussed how bitcoin can promote financial inclusion and empowerment through education, trust and practical use with Haymond Rankin of @CaymanFinance, @Gallardo_Luchi of @emergetechlab and @OnChainAli of @NatCryptoAssoc:
4) Lastly, @sd_eigen, Core Contributor at GOAT Network, joined the panel among @robin_linus of @ZeroSync_, @PimaBTC of @BimaBTC, @trackoor of @nubit_org, @AlpacaYovela of @fiamma_labs and @nikki_sunset of @build_on_bob, which covered how teams are implementing BitVM2 - and whether it represents the final form of trustless Bitcoin bridging:

Citrea
@citrea_xyz has unveiled plans for Clementine v2, a Bitcoin bridge using Garbled Circuits and the Transfer of Ownership Protocol (TOOP) by @FairGateLabs to remove the need for operator collateral and liquidity. By replacing BitVM2 with a garbled SNARK verifier, the system enables off-chain fraud proofs and minimizes on-chain costs. TOOP lets users control withdrawals without relying on operator funds. Clementine v2 is now in research and development:
Meanwhile, they presented ₿apps as a response to @Bitcoin’s declining on-chain utility and increasing reliance on centralized services. In 2024, exchanges earned $2.8 billion in BTC fees - triple what miners made - while over 11% of BTC sat on custodial platforms. ₿apps are non-custodial, Bitcoin-native applications aimed at restoring decentralization, minimizing trust assumptions, and reclaiming value and activity for the Bitcoin network:
Additionally, the project announced a number of partnerships, including:
• @asignaio: Introduces smart account multisigs to Citrea. Built on Safe’s contract framework and tailored for Bitcoin, Asigna allows users to manage BTC with multisig security, bridge it to Citrea, and access modules for swaps, staking, and yield - all using EVM-compatible wallets. This unlocks secure and flexible wallet infrastructure across the ₿app ecosystem:
• @boundless_xyz: Supports Citrea’s Blake3 optimization, which makes verifying @RiscZero ZKPs on BitVM more efficient. This enhancement benefits any project leveraging @RiscZero and BitVM by lowering the cost and complexity of proof verification on Bitcoin. It strengthens the foundation for scalable ₿apps secured by Bitcoin without altering its consensus:
• @KRNL_xyz: Brings cross-chain and AI connectivity to ₿apps on Citrea. Through KRNL’s middleware, developers can link to EVM chains, Web2 APIs, and on-chain AI, accelerating ₿app development using modular components (“kernels”) while expanding composability and use case flexibility:
Finally, at @HouseofZK's Bitcoin Economy Conference, @hiroto_btc, BD Lead at Citrea, joined @EdanYago of @BTC_OS, @cmpeq of @PsyProtocol, @BoazKantor of @StarkWareLtd, and @alicelingl of @HouseofZK to discuss whether Bitcoin rollups can recreate the core value propositions of smart contract chains and absorb the functionality of competing L1s, as well as the key trade-offs involved in scaling Bitcoin through rollups:

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