Bitcoin Layers Map

Bitcoin isn't just one thing—it's a layered system! Each layer solves different problems while keeping Bitcoin's core principles intact.

Explore Bitcoin's evolving layer ecosystem. Each layer makes specific tradeoffs to extend Bitcoin's capabilities for different use cases.

Deep dive into Bitcoin's layered architecture. Analyze trust models, security tradeoffs, and technical implementations across the stack.

🔬 Drivechains - Innovation Sandbox
🧪 Experimental
A testing ground for new Bitcoin features! Like a sandbox where developers can try new ideas safely.
Experimental sidechains secured by miners (BIP 300/301). Enables innovation without changing Bitcoin's base layer.
Miner-secured sidechains (BIP 300/301) enabling experimental features via blind merged mining and hashrate escrows.
🏘️ Fedimint - Community Money
✅ Live
Like a local credit union for Bitcoin! Your community holds funds together, making Bitcoin easier to use.
Community custody with eCash privacy. Federation-based trust model for local communities and organizations.
Federated Chaumian eCash mints providing private, scalable transactions within trusted community federations.
Liquid Network - Privacy Layer
✅ Live
Fast, private Bitcoin for businesses! Transactions happen in 1 minute instead of 10, and amounts stay hidden.
Federated sidechain with confidential transactions and 1-minute blocks. Optimized for exchanges and institutions.
Federated peg sidechain (15 functionaries) with Confidential Transactions (CT) obscuring amounts via Pedersen commitments.
Lightning Network - Speed Layer
✅ Live
Instant Bitcoin payments! Like opening a tab at your favorite coffee shop—pay instantly, settle on Bitcoin later.
Bidirectional payment channels enabling instant, low-cost transactions via multi-hop routing with HTLCs.
Layer 2 payment channel network using Hash Time-Locked Contracts (HTLCs) for trustless multi-hop routing with onion privacy.
Network Capacity
~5,000 BTC
Public Channels
~50,000
Speed
<1 second
Bitcoin Base Layer - Foundation
✅ Live since 2009
The rock-solid foundation! Every Bitcoin layer builds on this secure base that nobody can change.
The main Bitcoin blockchain. Maximum security, global verification, but slower (10-minute blocks).
Proof-of-Work secured blockchain with ~10-minute block times. Global consensus via longest chain rule. Final settlement layer.
Block Time
~10 min
Throughput
~7 tx/sec
Security
Maximum

Emerging Protocols

Next generation Bitcoin layers in development

Ark

Privacy-preserving pooled payments
Why it matters: Reduces Lightning's channel complexity while improving privacy through CoinJoin-style transactions.

RGB / Taproot Assets

Client-side validation for tokens
Why it matters: Issue stablecoins, tokens, and smart contracts on Bitcoin without blockchain bloat.

BitVM / Rollups

Off-chain computation with fraud proofs
Why it matters: Enables complex smart contracts on Bitcoin anchored by cryptographic proofs.

Mercury Layer

Statechains for instant settlement
Why it matters: Transfer UTXO ownership off-chain instantly without mining new blocks.

Cashu

Chaumian eCash for Bitcoin
Why it matters: Privacy-focused micropayments with minimal trust requirements via blind signatures.

Spacechains

Blind merged mining sidechains
Why it matters: Alternative to Drivechains with different security tradeoffs and governance model.

⚖️ Compare Layers

Compare layers across different metrics

Layer Status Legend

Live & Production-Ready
Experimental / In Development