4 Min Read 
We’re excited to announce that Edge now supports Botanix, a powerful Layer 2 protocol that brings Ethereum-style smart contracts to Bitcoin. The protocol is designed to bring Ethereum-style smart contracts to Bitcoin while preserving decentralization as it scales.
With Botanix, users can now interact with decentralized applications (dApps) using Bitcoin-backed synthetic BTC on a fully EVM-compatible network. This opens up new possibilities for Bitcoin holders who want to participate in DeFi, NFTs, and other smart contract-based ecosystems without ever leaving the security model of Bitcoin.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- What Botanix is and how it works
- Why this matters for Bitcoin and Ethereum users
- How Edge users can start using Botanix today
What Is Botanix?
Botanix is a second-layer blockchain built on top of Bitcoin that is fully EVM-equivalent, meaning it can run Ethereum smart contracts exactly as written, without modification.
But unlike Ethereum or Ethereum-based Layer 2s, Botanix derives its security and decentralization from Bitcoin. It uses a novel second-layer architecture called the Spiderchain, which enables a secure, permissionless environment for smart contracts while staying anchored to Bitcoin.
In short, Botanix brings together:
- Bitcoin’s unmatched decentralization and security
- Ethereum’s composability and smart contract capabilities
What Is the Spiderchain?
The Spiderchain is Botanix’s core innovation: a decentralized series of multi-signature wallets (multisigs) managed by independent node operators called Orchestrators.
Here’s how it works:
- When a user sends BTC to Botanix (a process known as peg-in), it gets locked into a decentralized multisig wallet.
- In return, the user receives synthetic BTC – a 1:1 representation of Bitcoin – on the Botanix network.
- This synthetic BTC can be used like ETH within dApps and smart contracts.
- When the user wants their real BTC back, they peg out, and the Spiderchain releases it from the appropriate multisig wallet.
The multisigs rotate and are selected randomly from a pool of Orchestrators, each of whom stakes Bitcoin as collateral. Misbehavior results in slashing, creating strong economic incentives for honest participation. While early phases involve some coordination, the long-term design minimizes reliance on centralized trust.
EVM Compatibility: Ethereum Functionality on Bitcoin
Botanix runs a full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing developers and users to:
- Deploy and interact with Solidity smart contracts
- Use popular Ethereum development tools like Hardhat and Remix
- Port existing Ethereum dApps to Botanix with minimal changes
Unlike Ethereum rollups that depend on cryptographic validity proofs and centralized sequencers, Botanix uses a rotating network of Bitcoin-staked multisigs to coordinate security. While this reduces system complexity and improves throughput, its decentralization depends on the distribution and behavior of Orchestrator nodes.
Botanix uses a Proof-of-Stake consensus model, but one uniquely backed by Bitcoin. Orchestrators must stake actual BTC to participate, not an inflationary native token. This makes the system more robust and aligned with Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition.
Why Botanix Matters
Bitcoin is the longest-standing crypto network, with robust security and a strong track record, but it lacks native support for smart contracts, composability, and dApps. Solutions like the Lightning Network attempt to solve payments, and Liquid enables some degree of asset issuance, but neither brings general-purpose programmability to Bitcoin. Botanix changes that.
By introducing a Bitcoin-secured, EVM-compatible Layer 2, Botanix enables:
- Bitcoin-backed DeFi, lending, and stablecoins
- NFT ecosystems anchored to BTC
- DAO governance frameworks with hard crypto collateral
- Cross-chain application development
And unlike other smart contract platforms that rely on new consensus layers or federations, Botanix extends Bitcoin’s own strengths into a new domain, without diluting its ethos.
Using Botanix in Edge
With Botanix now live in Edge, users can:
- Create Botanix wallets
- Send and receive synthetic BTC
- Add custom Botanix tokens
- Use WalletConnect to connect to Botanix dApps
Everything happens within Edge’s secure, non-custodial environment. Users remain in full control of their private keys and funds throughout the process. To add Botanix as an asset in your Edge account, follow the steps outlined here.
Once funded, users can explore the growing Botanix dApp ecosystem or simply use the network to transact quickly and cheaply with synthetic BTC.
What’s Ahead
Botanix represents a major step toward unifying Bitcoin’s security model with the expressiveness of modern smart contract platforms. As more developers deploy dApps and infrastructure on Botanix, we expect to see a flourishing of new use cases that weren’t previously possible on Bitcoin alone.
Edge is committed to supporting open, decentralized, and user-sovereign technologies, and Botanix checks every one of those boxes. In the future we intend on adding:
- Bridging support for BTC into Botanix
- Botanix buy and sell support via fiat
- Robust Botanix DEX support
We’ll continue rolling out tools, tutorials, and improvements for the Botanix integration, and in the meantime, users are welcome to start exploring this powerful new layer of the Bitcoin ecosystem directly within Edge.
Download Edge and experience Botanix today. The future of programmable Bitcoin is here.
