1/10
#ICP by @dfinity claims they made Bitcoin programmable through native integration.
A different approach to Bitcoin functionality using distributed cryptography.
Here's what we found 🧵 https://t.co/oZzYA9IOzc

2/10
Bitcoin's scripting limitations forced developers into workarounds: wrapped tokens, sidechains, complex bridge architectures.
ICP took a different approach. Their canisters read UTXOs and broadcast transactions directly to Bitcoin mainnet

6/10
Live implementations include:
🔸 @ICPSwap: DEX with ckBTC trading and liquidity pools
🔸 @OpenChat messaging with Bitcoin micropayments
🔸 @bitfinitynet: EVM-compatible layer
🔸 Multiple DeFi protocols using native BTC

7/10
DFINITY actively funds Bitcoin development through structured grants:

• Newbie track for prototypes
• MVP track for functional products
• Scaling track for production optimization

Recent recipients include @lokamining  and ChainVault

5/10
ICP extends beyond Bitcoin integration. The protocol hosts entire applications on-chain: frontend delivery, backend logic, persistent storage, biometric authentication.
WebAssembly execution with #Rust and #Motoko support

Execution between smart contracts (canisters) on ICP is cycle-based and fully automated

3/10
The technical foundation relies on Chain Key cryptography. Subnet nodes collectively generate signatures through threshold #ECDSA. Each canister can derive Bitcoin addresses and sign transactions while the private key remains distributed

4/10
ckBTC demonstrates this in practice:

• 1:1 backing with native Bitcoin
• Instant settlement for payments
• Already integrated in DeFi protocols
• Decentralized minting and redemption