The year 2023 witnessed a pivotal shift in the Internet Computer landscape, marked by the integration of Bitcoin and the introduction of Chain Key Bitcoin (ckBTC). This native integration eliminated the need for cross-chain bridges, establishing a seamless connection with the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP).
Beyond its fundamental transformation, ckBTC opened new horizons for applications across decentralized finance (DeFi) and SocialFi. Offering faster transactions at significantly lower fees compared to Ethereum, ckBTC’s impact was underscored by the inaugural ckETH transaction executed just a month ago.
Ordinals and inscriptions became integral components of Bitcoin fee payments, experiencing a notable surge on the Bioniq Marketplace. Distinguished as the industry’s first no-gas, ordinals-specific marketplace, Bioniq set a new standard in the blockchain landscape. Simultaneously, the MORA App pioneered zero-cost inscriptions, leveraging ICP’s network scalability, zero-gas fees, and exceptional interoperability.
Prominent dapps within the Internet Computer ecosystem seamlessly integrated ckBTC, amplifying their functionality and capabilities. Examples include OpenChat, DSCVR, Funded, and ICDex, showcasing the versatility of ckBTC across diverse applications.
Closing out 2023, the Internet Computer achieved another milestone with the release of ckETH, an Ether Twin. Functioning as a “chain key” version of Ether on ledgers created by Internet Computer smart contracts, ckETH enables 1-second finality and near-zero-cost transfers. Integration into dexes like SonicDEX and Helix Markets, along with wallets like Plug and Oisy, solidified ckETH’s presence within the cryptocurrency landscape.
As the Internet Computer advances into 2024, the seamless connection and evolution of Bitcoin and Ethereum within the ICP ecosystem continue to shape the narrative, unlocking new possibilities and setting the stage for a Trustless Multi-Chain future.
