The BTC L2 track is becoming increasingly crowded, and ZKM joins the competition.

As ZKM ventures into the Bitcoin L2 space, the competition in this field is becoming increasingly intense, and the final landscape will depend on the evolution of technology and the market. ZKM's core technology is based on zkVM, and its long-term goal is to widely apply this technology to various projects and ecosystems, becoming the underlying infrastructure. This strategy is expected to achieve interoperability of assets across different networks (such as Ethereum, BTC, Cosmos, etc.), thereby enhancing liquidity.

ZKM's technical solution focuses primarily on two aspects: the Entangled Rollup architecture and zkVM. These two technologies aim to address the two major concerns of the current market: asset security and network sustainability.

To address cross-chain security issues, ZKM has proposed the "Entangled Rollup Network" mechanism. This mechanism uses recursive zero-knowledge proof technology to synchronize the states between different blockchains, avoiding the risks associated with traditional bridging mechanisms when assets are transferred across chains. This framework was initially implemented on Ethereum, and now ZKM is working to apply it to Bitcoin L2, making corresponding adjustments for the characteristics of Bitcoin L1.

In terms of asset security, ZKM adopts a locally controllable model. Bitcoin assets are controlled by multi-signature scripts, which can prevent malicious actions as long as there is one honest party present. On the L2 level, a decentralized sequencer is introduced to ensure that the inclusion and finality of transactions are completed in a decentralized manner. Furthermore, the execution plans for L2 transaction batches are verified through Bitcoin scripts.

ZKM has also introduced the OCP (Optimistic Challenge Process) mechanism, which is a Bitcoin L2 version similar to Ethereum L2 optimistic rollups. When users deposit assets into L2, the assets are locked in a pre-signed multi-signature script. After the challenge period, the signers can initiate the challenge process, requesting the operator to provide intermediate computational traces to verify their commitment.

In terms of technical implementation, ZKM's zkVM supports Golang, allowing developers to use the native Golang compiler to compile code into MIPS instructions, and then use ZKM's proof network for verification. In the future, ZKM also plans to support the Rust language.

To achieve the sustainability of the network, ZKM has designed an incentive mechanism. Decentralized sorter nodes can receive rewards based on their contributions. ZKM plans to allocate 40% of the token rewards to the parties involved in mining, including sorter nodes, liquid staking, and proof network mining. This means that sorter nodes can not only earn gas fees from L2 transactions but also gain additional profits from mining.

Currently, the exploration in the Bitcoin L2 space is still ongoing, including both native L2 and EVM-compatible L2 directions. Native L2 focuses on the development of internal ecosystems, while EVM-compatible L2 aims to expand the Bitcoin ecosystem and provide new possibilities for the integration of different ecosystems.