Bridgeless Era Begins: BitcoinOS Transfers BTC to Cardano Using ZK Proofs

BitcoinOS, the leading Bitcoin layer two (L2) rollup, has announced the first-ever bridgeless cross-chain transfer of bitcoin (BTC), moving 1 BTC between the Bitcoin and Cardano blockchains without relying on traditional intermediaries.

The mainnet demonstration marks a pivotal advancement in blockchain interoperability, with broader implications for decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract ecosystems.

Highlighting the integration of Cardano’s DeFi layer with Bitcoin’s trustless nature, the transaction was executed by BitcoinOS in collaboration with Sundial Protocol, a hybrid Bitcoin-Cardano L2 solution, and Handle, Cardano’s identity platform.

The transfer began by wrapping 1 BTC into xBTC, a programmable token secured through BitcoinOS’ BitSNARK zero-knowledge proofs, and transferring it to Sundial’s Cardano wallet.

From there, the xBTC was moved to Handle’s wallet and finally returned to Bitcoin, where it was unwrapped back to native BTC.

The demonstration showcases the potential for BTC to participate in DeFi across ecosystems without bridges, addressing long-standing challenges of custodial risk and fragmented liquidity.

BitcoinOS’ L2 solutions, powered by its modular PoS chain and SNARK technology, bring smart contract capabilities to Bitcoin while remaining trustlessly anchored to its blockchain.

The integration turns Cardano into a seamless DeFi layer for Bitcoin, paving the way for other UTXO-based chains to connect and interoperate.

“This incredible feat of engineering is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the BitcoinOS team,” said Edan Yago, a core BitcoinOS contributor.

“We are excited to see the possibilities this technology unlocks for Bitcoin and the broader blockchain industry.”

The achievement marks a turning point for decentralized interoperability, according to Sheldon Hunt, founder of Sundial Protocol.

“This demonstration is a significant step forward in our journey to create a more open and interconnected Web3,” said Jonah Peralta of Handle.

“We are proud to have played a role in this historic event.”