Mintlayer, a new Bitcoin L2 platform: Unlocking BTC’s huge DeFi potential and opportunities

1. BTC’s DeFi opportunities

Bitcoin has huge potential in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. While Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions lock up 10% of its value, Bitcoin’s Layer 2 solutions only account for 0.1% of its value. Considering that Bitcoin’s market cap is three times that of Ethereum, the growth potential of Bitcoin’s Layer 2 solutions is huge. This gap represents hundreds of billions of dollars of opportunity in the Bitcoin DeFi space, and innovative BTC ecosystem projects are emerging to unlock Bitcoin’s full potential in the ecosystem.

2. Mintlayer Project Introduction

Mintlayer is a Bitcoin Layer 2 sidechain that has been unlocking Bitcoins massive DeFi potential since its mainnet launch in January 2024. The core of Mintlayers innovation is native Bitcoin cross-chain swaps, also known as atomic swaps. This breakthrough technology allows direct access to Bitcoins liquidity without wrapped tokens, eliminating counterparty and wrapped token risks.

3. In-depth discussion of technology

Mintlayers value proposition goes far beyond atomic swaps. Based on a Bitcoin-inspired architecture, Mintlayer prioritizes product security, simplicity, and reliability. And Mintlayer uses non-Turing-Complete smart contracts and UTXO models to enhance privacy and reduce vulnerabilities.

Key features include:

• Similar to Bitcoins UTXO (unspent transaction output) model, it enhances the flexibility of transaction composition.

• Integrates hardcoded smart contracts that recognize specific output types.

Choosing Rust as the node development language reflects Mintlayers commitment to speed and safety. Rusts efficiency, safety, and unique borrowing system allow the software to be thread-safe without a garbage collector.

4. Innovative consensus mechanism

Mintlayer uses a hybrid consensus system that combines elements of Proof-of-Stake and Proof-of-Work. Block signers perform a process similar to guessing blocks, similar to mining, but with significantly reduced computational requirements. This accessibility allows even cheap entry-level devices such as the Raspberry Pi to efficiently run Mintlayer nodes, expanding the scope of participation in running staking pools and enhancing network security.

5. ML: Driving the Mintlayer Ecosystem

The Mintlayer project token, ML, is the lifeblood of the Mintlayer ecosystem. Although ML was initially launched as an ERC-20 token, the majority of the supply has migrated to the native environment of the Mintlayer mainnet since the mainnet launch. Designed with a fixed supply and deflationary mechanism, the ML coin plays a key role in driving the networks proof-of-stake mechanism. The total supply is capped at 600 million tokens, of which 400 million have been pre-mined, and the remaining 200 million will be generated within the first ten years after launch.

Importantly, the ML coin contains a burning mechanism, whereby certain actions such as issuing MLS 01 tokens will result in the permanent removal of ML coins from circulation. This deflationary mechanism, combined with the low initial market cap, provides an interesting value proposition for potential ML investors.

https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/mintlayer/

6. Why choose Mintlayer ecosystem?

Mintlayer provides powerful tokenization capabilities, supporting both fungible (MLS 01) and non-fungible (MLS 03) tokens with customizable metadata. This flexibility makes Mintlayer an ideal platform for tokenizing a variety of real-world assets such as real estate, financial instruments, precious metals, and art.

7. The team behind Mintlayer

Mintlayer’s solid technical foundation is built by a team of experienced industry experts, led by Enrico Rubboli. With over 25 years of software development experience, Enrico’s experience as a senior developer at Tether and Bitfinex (key players in the cryptocurrency space) has enabled him to navigate the complexities of Bitcoin DeFi, gaining extensive experience in blockchain technology and high-stakes financial platforms.

Complementing Enrico’s expertise is Chief Advisor Charlie Shrem, a pioneer in the world of Bitcoin. As a founding member of the Bitcoin Foundation and an early Bitcoin entrepreneur, Charlie brings valuable insights and connections to the project. His experience in navigating the ever-changing cryptocurrency landscape adds a layer of strategic depth to Mintlayer’s vision to unlock the potential of Bitcoin DeFi.

8. How to participate in the Mintlayer ecosystem?

ML Token

For users looking to participate in the Mintlayer ecosystem, $ML coins are listed on several major cryptocurrency exchanges including Gate.io, MEXC, Bitmart, Poloniex, and Bitget.

ML Token Exchange Link: https://bit.ly/GetMLcoins7

Mojito Wallet

At the core of the Mintlayer ecosystem, users can use the Mintlayer ecosystems Mojito wallet for on-chain interactions, Mintlayers user-friendly non-custodial solution designed to seamlessly integrate the ecosystem. This multi-functional wallet supports Bitcoin, ML coins, and MLS-01 tokens, providing users with a secure and convenient way to manage assets across Bitcoin and Mintlayer networks.

Mojito wallet official address (please download from official channels): https://www.mintlayer.org/en/mojito-wallet/

Staking and Rewards

ML holders can put their $ML to work by staking, which allows participants to contribute to network security while earning rewards. Annualized yields (APY) currently up to 88% make staking attractive to token holders.

Staking can be done using the Mojito wallet or the Mintlayer blockchain explorer ( https://explorer.mintlayer.org/pools?referral-code=Odaily ), which provides details on Mintlayer network activity and opportunities to participate in staking.

As the network matures, staking rewards will transition from newly minted tokens to transaction fees, ensuring long-term sustainability.

ML staking link: https://bit.ly/MLstaking7

How to participate in Galxe community activities?

In order to further engage with the community and win additional rewards, Mintlayer is currently working closely with Web3 data platform Galxe to launch the Mintlayer series of events. Mintlayer invites all Web3 users to join this event, win exciting prizes, and participate deeply in the Mintlayer ecosystem.

Galxe event participation link: https://bit.ly/GalxeQuest7

DeFi Products - Atomiq DeFi

Atomiq DeFi ($ATMQ) is the first project incubated by the Mintlayer Ecosystem Fund and is building the worlds first DEX for native Bitcoin cross-chain swaps (also known as atomic swaps). It is funded by $1.5 million from the Mintlayer Ecosystem Fund. It is built using Mintlayer atomic swap technology.

Follow Mintlayer on social media

Mintlayer official website: https://www.mintlayer.org/en/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/mintlayer

Telegram: https://t.me/mintlayer

Discord: https://discord.gg/gkZ4h8McBT