Mintlayer, a well-known Layer-2 scaling solution for Bitcoin, has revealed a strategic partnership with Salus, a research and security company focused on zero-knowledge (ZK) technology. This collaboration is aimed at developing the Thunder Network, a cutting-edge Layer-3 ZK rollup-based solution that utilizes Bitcoin and the Mintlayer Protocol.
The Thunder Network will enhance scalability, privacy, and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) functionality, building on Mintlayer’s existing capability to provide Bitcoin liquidity for decentralized finance (DeFi) through Atomic Swaps. This new Layer-3 solution will not only offer improved scalability and privacy but also faster transaction speeds and EVM-compatible features, allowing developers to create on a secure infrastructure linked to Bitcoin. The integration of EVM dApps will streamline the development process on Bitcoin through the Mintlayer protocol.
Enrico Rubboli, the Founder of Mintlayer, expressed excitement about the partnership with Salus, stating that it is a significant step in Mintlayer’s goal to transform Bitcoin’s scalability and functionality. The Thunder Network, with ZK integration, will boost transaction speed, privacy, and provide developers with advanced EVM capabilities to innovate on the Bitcoin platform. The collaboration aims to unleash Bitcoin’s full potential and shape the future of DeFi.
The decision to team up with Salus was influenced by the company’s expertise in privacy-enhancing EVM ZK solutions. Salus previously developed a set of ZK solutions tailored for the Ethereum ecosystem, gaining significant attention in 2023. The Thunder Network will address scalability issues on the Mintlayer network while introducing additional EVM features. Salus’ COO, Shawn Chong, highlighted the synergy between their ZK solutions and Mintlayer’s scaling expertise, emphasizing innovation and adoption in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
The Mintlayer-Salus partnership represents a milestone in Bitcoin’s evolution and its integration with the larger blockchain community. Through Layer-3 ZK rollups, the Thunder Network aims to provide a seamless and high-performance experience for users, maintaining Bitcoin’s core principles of security, privacy, and decentralization.
Mintlayer utilizes Bitcoin’s UTXO model and Non-Turing Complete Smart Contracts to enhance security and minimize vulnerabilities. The team behind Mintlayer consists of top industry professionals in engineering, cryptography, and blockchain research. Mintlayer serves as a Bitcoin Layer-2 sidechain that enables cross-chain swaps, supporting trustless finance.
In the upcoming year, Mintlayer plans to expand the use of native Bitcoin in DeFi applications through Atomic Swaps. Supported financial use cases include peer-to-peer trading, asset tokenization, security tokens, and digital collectibles. The collaboration with Salus holds the promise of unlocking new opportunities for Bitcoin and driving innovation in decentralized finance and blockchain technology.