The idea of a trustless, non-custodial system of money has led to the emerging industry of decentralized finance (DeFi).
Bitcoin, the granddaddy of all crypto assets, is not poised to take advantage of these ever-expanding decentralized systems. Nonetheless, some are betting that Bitcoin will join the DeFi craze, despite the many obstacles.
"Only #Bitcoin is pure digital gold."
— The Moon 🌙 (@TheMoonCarl) July 23, 2020
– Steve Wozniak
Winner Doesn’t Take All
Though Bitcoin gets the job done, at least in terms of retaining value, it’s not the shiniest cryptocurrency on the block. Alternatives like Nano work faster and cheaper. And Ethereum and its kin, Neo and EOS, allow for a more dynamic use of the blockchain with smart contracts. But will the winner take all? Software engineer, Pascal Marco Caversaccio, asked this very question as the race for the dominant smart contract platform continues:“is [it] a winner-takes-it-all game or a complementary co-existence that will prevail in the long run.”Two years later and we still don’t have an answer. Yet, it begs the question: what might happen if Bitcoin, the biggest cryptocurrency by market cap, became a central player in the DeFi space? With the recent meteoric rise of DeFi protocols, the ability to run its associated decentralized apps has brought trustless banking into the spotlight.
Not Easy, But Not Impossible Either
In a recent tweet, Ryan Sean Adams asked whether you can build DeFi on Bitcoin.In short, it’s possible, but not easy. Guest posting on the latest Bankless article, Matthew Black of Atomic Loans outlays some of the potential options that BTC has. Atomic Loans lends out money on Bitcoin collateral in a non-custodial system. Black, who is CTO of the firm, has found a way around the technical limitations, but it didn’t come without its headaches. The biggest obstacle to using BTC in DeFi is actually not a technical issue at all. The loudest voices in Bitcoin tend to be maximalists who see BTC as a currency aimed squarely at bringing down the world banking system. Others just want it to become the world’s reserve currency. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak says that Bitcoin is the one true digital gold. In other words, when the most visible opinion has nothing to do with DeFi, it’s hard to gain momentum in that direction.Can we build DeFi on Bitcoin?
— Ryan Sean Adams – rsa.eth 🏴 (@RyanSAdams) July 23, 2020
It’s surprisingly hard to get a real answer to that question. Everyone has an agenda.
But what you’re about to read is the most honest answer to DeFi on Bitcoin I’ve ever seen.
Form @matthewjablack of @Atomic_Loans
Read:https://t.co/JohcXVr7hi
Bitcoin is well on its way to becoming the next global reserve currency.
— Pomp 🌪 (@APompliano) November 12, 2019
Blockchain Acrobatics
Moreover, if DeFi uses for Bitcoin become more generally accepted, users and software engineers might not flock to it. Programming for Bitcoin is hard, and when offering decentralized, non-custodial services, it’s even harder. For non-custodial transactions, Bitcoin’s problem is that it isn’t simple. Users need to set up infrastructure. Unlike Ethereum, BTC requires wallet addresses before a contract is written for liquidity. A few clever tricks offer workarounds. Perhaps the simplest workaround is Wrapped BTC (WBTC). This is an ERC-20 token that tracks the value of bitcoin 1:1. Other options include the use of side chains like Binance Chain and Atomic-Swap-based DeFi (like Liquality or Jelly Swap).
It’s the Liquidity, Stupid
At the end of the day, average users want a sleek, simple interface, that just works. Above all, it’s not convenient for users who need advanced knowledge, or serious programming chops to build a Bitcoin DeFi liquidity pool. And liquidity is key to successful DeFi platforms. Maybe if a BTC DeFi platform found a way to attract Liquidity Hunters, it could take off. Similarly, a well-built and intuitive User Experience for DeFi on BTC could even improve the landscape. The general public already knows what Bitcoin is and BTC definitely has the best liquidity of any cryptocurrency. The more stable the ground, the more people will be willing to venture onto it.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Harry Leeds
Harry Leeds is a writer, editor, and journalist who spent much time in the former USSR covering food, cryptocurrencies, and healthcare. He also translates poetry and edits the literary magazine mumbermag.me.
Harry Leeds is a writer, editor, and journalist who spent much time in the former USSR covering food, cryptocurrencies, and healthcare. He also translates poetry and edits the literary magazine mumbermag.me.
READ FULL BIO
Sponsored
Sponsored