Ecosystem Map - August, 2024
Hey everyone,
We posted an ecosystem map today. Here’s how we’re defining projects.
Mainnet
Sidechains
These projects are using an alternative consensus protocol, have some two-way peg with Bitcoin, claim that they're an L2, application layer, etc., and are not posting full transaction data onchain. We’re currently defining different types of sidechains to show that not all sidechains are created equal.
Infra
Projects that aren’t execution layers themselves, but support layers or application modules that we strongly feel should be included on the site.
Rollups on Ethereum or Sidechains
Projects that are blockchains and use an alternative chain for data availability and state validation.
State Channels, CSV and More
Not the best grouping, but covers projects where users lock funds into a 2-2 multisig with a counterparty or validate state transitions/updates client side.
On the way
Here are some differences and additional context related to “on the way” chains. Bitfinity has a “mainnet” but has seen minimal usage and requires KYC to use. The documentation is unclear how they’re defining it. RGB is on mainnet but in Beta.
Validia Chains and more
Most of these will probably fit into the “rollup on a sidechain” category, but we changed the term as projects, like Zulu, are working on a BitVM-style bridge which they would argue makes them a validium.
I’m not super comfortable with that term, as it applies there is a validity proof verifier contract onchain, so I usually say BitVM Validium in that context.
Things we didn’t include
We didn’t include most metaprotocols because we’re not quite sure how to define those yet. Some are pretty close to sidechains and sovereign rollups. We didn’t include some projects that are not eligible for review for our site.
To close
None of this is financial advice of course. Our maps are not endorsements of protocols. For "on the way", the map and additions to the site are more opinionated. Projects can self-submit if they're not on the list. Mainnet includes mostly anything that claims to be a Bitcoin L2 (excluding infra, we add those as needed), is on mainnet, and has a node software open source.
Please see our site for reviews on these projects. For news on how things are shaping up in the scaling space, check out Blockspace Media’s “Bitcoin SZN 2” newsletter.
