BitcoinOS: Technical Infrastructure and Roadmap

Below we outline the technical direction and timelines for BOS development to the best of our knowledge at this time. Alterations to the roadmap may occur later if technical discoveries warrant them.

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This diagram illustrates the BOS ecosystem's role in extending Bitcoin to the broader Web3 landscape.

BOS operates via a cluster of permissionless nodes that execute BOS computations, verify zk proofs, and monitor all parts of the BOS tech ecosystem. These nodes underpin diverse use cases and technological primitives. Currently, BOS aims to enable three core functionalities: a multichain vault (Grail), rollups back to Bitcoin (MerkleMesh), and a programmable token framework extending Bitcoin's utility into Web3 (name coming soon).

The ecosystem's foundation lies in the ability to verify zk proofs directly on the Bitcoin mainnet. This process, though optimistic (uncontested proofs are accepted), incorporates fraud-proof mechanisms executed in Bitcoin Script without requiring opcode changes. This ensures cryptographic security with a 1/n trust assumption, meaning a single honest verifier can maintain the system’s integrity. Fraud proofs are deterministic, as any challenge exposes dishonesty, making it infeasible to compromise the network without controlling all nodes. The permissionless nature of BOS nodes further ensures a high probability of at least one honest node participant as the number of nodes increases.

The first-generation zk verifier, BitSNARK, has been open-sourced in its basic form, with ongoing development to support multiple verifiers. The team is also advancing zk verification through its NextGen initiative, which is currently being researched and promises further innovation in zk-based primitives on Bitcoin.

BOS introduces novel primitives to Bitcoin through zk proofs:

1. Trustless Bridging with Grail: Grail is a multichain vault enabling secure BTC transfers across chains and virtual machines without counterparty risks. It ensures custodial integrity through zk proofs, providing orders-of-magnitude stronger security than federated or multisig schemes. Grail can also be used on a protocol level, to secure collateral in borrow/lending protocols for example. 
2. Bitcoin Rollups via MerkleMesh: MerkleMesh facilitates rollups to Bitcoin by sequencing data into SNARK proofs, validated on Bitcoin mainnet. This technology can rollup Bitcoin L2s and external blockchains to Bitcoin as a security/settlement layer, fostering interoperability and scalability.
3. Programmable Token Framework: BOS enables tokens inscribed with zk proofs that embed smart contract logic directly on Bitcoin. These tokens could represent DeFi cash flow sequences or tokens with automatic SAT distribution across order books. Interoperable across chains within the BOS ecosystem, the logic attached to these tokens are secured by Bitcoin's underlying network.

BOS aspires to become Bitcoin's operating system, enhancing scalability by integrating advanced compute and zk-based security. By Q1 next year, key primitives like Grail, MerkleMesh, and the programmable token framework are expected to materialize on mainnet, marking a significant step in Bitcoin's evolution.

Next, let’s take a look at the history of milestones achieved, and what we aim to achieve in the year ahead. 

Timelines and Accomplishments

Our team has been exploring ways to enhance Bitcoin’s capabilities since 2021. However, a significant breakthrough occurred in December 2023, when we discovered a paradigm for verifying zk proofs directly on Bitcoin mainnet. This innovation presented a scalable pathway to extend Bitcoin's use cases beyond its traditional scope.

Key Milestones and Developments

1. BitSNARK: The Foundation of zk Verification
   • Research officially began in January 2024, culminating in the development of BitSNARK by April. 
   • BitSNARK introduced a zk verification fraud-proof mechanism implemented within Bitcoin Script, requiring no changes to opcodes.
   • This achievement was detailed in the BOS whitepaper, which outlined the potential to create Grail, a trust-minimized bridge designed to eliminate custody risks and reduce counterparty exposure when utilizing wrapped Bitcoin.
   • In July, BOS verified the first ever ZK proof on Bitcoin mainnet.
2. Grail: From Trustless Bridge to Multichain Vault
   • Originally conceived as a trustless bridge, Grail evolved into a multichain vault that securely locks BTC on Bitcoin while minting tokens on integrated chains. Unlocking occurs via zk-proof-verified burn transactions.
   • Development began in September 2024 following the open-sourcing of BitSNARK’s initial version. Partnerships with major blockchain ecosystems, including EVM chains, UTXO-based chains like Cardano, SolanaVM, and MoveVM, were announced to demonstrate the demand and utility of this innovation.
   • In November, we conducted a one-sided demo of Grail, successfully locking BTC on a Bitcoin testnet and minting ERC-20 BTC on the Merlin chain (an EVM-based chain), marking a significant milestone in Grail’s readiness for broader testing.
3. MerkleMesh: Real Rollups for Bitcoin
   • Work on MerkleMesh, the technology enabling zk rollups to Bitcoin, began in parallel to Grail and BitSNARK. By September, we made notable progress in a sandbox environment, testing rollups of a zkEVM chain to Bitcoin.
   • This will allow sequenced data to be written into zk proofs and validated on Bitcoin’s mainnet, enabling interoperability between Bitcoin and external blockchains. Once the technology is refined, testnet and eventual mainnet deployment will follow.
4. Programmable Token Framework: Bitcoin-Native Smart Contracts
   • Research on a programmable token framework is advancing, combining zk proofs with Bitcoin-native tokens.
   • These tokens could incorporate smart contract functionality directly, enabling advanced DeFi applications, fractionalization, and enhanced liquidity within the BTC ecosystem.
   • Interoperability with BOS-integrated chains ensures that tokens carry zk-proof-encoded information across ecosystems, unlocking new use cases while remaining secured by Bitcoin.

Vision for Bitcoin and BOS

These developments position BOS as a transformative layer for Bitcoin, leveraging zk proofs to enable trustless bridging, scalable rollups, and programmable tokens. By demonstrating a functional testnet and progressing toward mainnet implementations, BOS aims to scale Bitcoin’s utility while maintaining its unparalleled decentralization and security.

Future Milestones

The next year will focus on accelerating development and bringing BOS primitives to mainnet. Our roadmap highlights the interconnected and experimental nature of this work, requiring innovative solutions and ongoing problem-solving. As we build and test we will be open sourcing our codebase along the way. 

Building on the team’s proven ability to deliver, we aim to achieve the following milestones:

Q1 2025: Finalizing Foundations and Moving to Mainnet

1. BitSNARK Audit and Integration:
   • Finalize the BitSNARK zk verifier for audit and prepare it for integration into Grail.
   • Release a whitepaper detailing NextGen zk verification on Bitcoin, showcasing advancements beyond the current framework.
2. Mainnet Launches:
   • Bring Grail to mainnet, demonstrating its capabilities as a secure multichain vault.
   • Finalize BOS nodes for mainnet, showcase how they work to secure Grail and verify zk proofs
   • Publish a whitepaper on the programmable token standard, inviting public scrutiny and feedback.
   • Conduct the BOS token launch, with further details about token usage and its role in the ecosystem.

Q2 2025: Expanding Integrations

• Focus on live integrations for Grail, starting with EVM chains and accelerating work on additional VMs such as UTXO-based chains, SolanaVM, and MoveVM.
• Launch MerkleMesh and the programmable token framework on mainnet, connecting Bitcoin with a broader network of ecosystem and bringing smart contract logic to Bitcoin. 

Q3 2025: System Testing and Design for Scalability

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• Begin large-scale testing and integration of all BOS primitives.
• Design the system's scalability architecture, focusing on economic incentives and governance models for a decentralized ecosystem of chains and operators.

End of 2025: Mainnet and Ecosystem Scaling

• Achieve full deployment of BOS technology and primitives on mainnet.
• Establish robust integrations with major blockchain ecosystems, supported by a decentralized network of permissionless BOS nodes.
• Open source most of the BOS technology, fostering an organically growing builder community leveraging BOS primitives to enhance Bitcoin and Web3.

Long-Term Vision

By year’s end, BOS will be positioned as a seamless extension of Bitcoin, enabling scalable infrastructure and unlocking new possibilities across Web3. Future efforts will focus on expanding the ecosystem through strategic partnerships, scaling infrastructure, and nurturing innovation. The goal is to create an enduring system where Bitcoin’s security and decentralization power new applications and experiences for the global blockchain community.