The concept and vision of the UIB protocol

In the previous article, I shared with everyone the Bitcoin scaling architecture based on the Nervos Network (CKB).

Recently, there have been some more detailed articles online introducing this framework. In these articles, the authors mentioned a more abstract protocol called UIB (UTXO-based Isomorphic Binding). Based on this UIB protocol, theoretically, all existing UTXO-based blockchains (such as Dogecoin, BCH, Litecoin, etc.) can undergo similar scaling and development.

This protocol has the potential to integrate all UTXO blockchains and present a whole new vision for the entire UTXO blockchain ecosystem.

Let's return to the architecture based on the Nervos Network.

In this architecture: users can issue assets based on the RGB++ protocol, build and deploy decentralized applications on the Nervos Network, and customize Bitcoin-based second-layer scaling using the UTXO Stack.

These three components can be organically combined. Essentially, it leverages the characteristic that both Bitcoin and second-layer scaling (Nervos Network) are based on the UTXO architecture, allowing a one-to-one mapping/binding of the UTXOs from the second-layer scaling to the UTXOs of the first-layer mainnet (Bitcoin), and utilizing the second-layer scaling to enhance the performance of the mainnet.

It is worth noting that the components of this architecture can achieve broad compatibility.

In terms of asset compatibility, not only are assets issued based on the RGB++ protocol applicable to this protocol framework, but assets issued based on Runes, Atomical, and Taproot protocols are also applicable to this protocol framework.

This means that assets from these compatible protocols can be included in this ecosystem. If such an ecosystem develops, its scale will be significant.

In terms of second-layer scaling compatibility, the blockchain platform relied upon by the decentralized applications in the architecture implements scaling of the Bitcoin mainnet and binding with the UTXOs of the Bitcoin mainnet. Currently, this platform is the Nervos Network, but in reality, any Turing-complete blockchain based on the UTXO architecture can be applicable to this framework.

To enable such blockchains to be quickly implemented, the UTXO Stack has anchored this goal: to allow users to conveniently achieve "one-click chain issuance."

Although the Bitcoin second-layer scaling system has already gained momentum, with new projects emerging continuously, most of them appear in the form of sidechains or EVMs, and the development speed is not fast enough, nor is the efficiency high enough.

If the UTXO Stack technology can efficiently and quickly achieve "one-click chain issuance," then we will see a similar explosive growth of second-layer scaling systems in the Bitcoin ecosystem, akin to what has happened with Ethereum. For retail investors, this means that a movement to incentivize user participation in such second-layer scaling through token issuance expectations will unfold more vigorously.

This framework currently mainly targets the Bitcoin network, but theoretically, any UTXO blockchain can be applicable.

Therefore, this framework can issue RGB++ assets for any UTXO blockchain, achieve isomorphism and performance scaling for any UTXO blockchain, and enable one-click issuance of second-layer scaling for any UTXO blockchain.

This is the basic idea of the UIB protocol.

Following this idea, a scenario may emerge in the future:

An intermediate layer based on the UIB protocol connects upwards to all UTXO mainnets (such as Bitcoin, Dogecoin, BCH, Litecoin, etc.) and connects downwards to various second-layer scaling systems that extend UTXO mainnets while also achieving Turing completeness.

This way, users can publish RGB++ assets on any blockchain at once and deploy their decentralized applications in any second-layer scaling system.

So theoretically, this framework has made certain compromises, balancing the advantages and disadvantages of various solutions, addressing various issues in the expansion of the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Of course, this is a very ideal situation. Achieving this ideal requires close cooperation and strong promotion from various project parties within the ecosystem.

With the Bitcoin halving just around the corner, based on past experience, the market is likely to see a wave of enthusiasm about six months after the halving. Whether we can seize the opportunity to comprehensively advance the progress of this protocol before this wave of enthusiasm will be crucial for the protocol to stand out in this fierce competition.