BitcoinOS Demo Sends BTC to Cardano and Back—Without a Cross-Chain Bridge
Developers from BitcoinOS (BOS) have executed a demo transaction transferring 1 BTC from a Bitcoin wallet to a Cardano wallet and back, claiming it as the first "bridgeless cross-chain transfer." Edan Yago, co-founder of BOS, noted that Bitcoin's programmability is limited compared to Ethereum and Solana, leading to underutilization despite its value. BitcoinOS aims to enhance Bitcoin's functionality through its new token, xBTC, which is locked, wrapped, and minted on the Bitcoin blockchain, providing cryptographic proof of the original Bitcoin's value. The xBTC token travels to Cardano via the Sundial Protocol and returns to Bitcoin, where it is burned and unwrapped. This method uses zero-knowledge proofs for security, avoiding custodial risks associated with traditional wrapped Bitcoin. Critics express concerns about expanding Bitcoin's programmable layer, fearing it could diminish its value. BitcoinOS's approach addresses interoperability challenges in crypto, as traditional bridges have faced significant security issues, with over $2 billion lost in exploits since 2022. The BitSNARK verification protocol enables enhanced functionality without compromising security.
