Author: Scof, ChainCatcher

Editor: TB, ChainCatcher

A DeFi Platform Built for Bitcoin

Optimex is a DeFi platform specifically designed for Bitcoin, allowing users to trade, lend, and margin trade directly on the Bitcoin network without the need to bridge Bitcoin to other chains or entrust assets to third-party custodians.

Unlike traditional centralized exchanges and DEXs based on AMM (automated market maker) mechanisms, Optimex adopts an RFQ (request for quote) model, matching trades between users and professional market makers, ensuring that every trade has transparent pricing, no slippage, and is unaffected by miner arbitrage. The entire system is completely non-custodial, allowing users to retain control of their Bitcoin private keys at all times, with asset security guaranteed by protocol mechanisms, relying on no trust.

Breaking the Structural Dilemma of Bitcoin DeFi?

Despite Bitcoin being the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, its on-chain financial applications are extremely limited. This is due to the inherent limitations of the Bitcoin network's native features, such as the lack of Turing-complete smart contracts and a weak scripting system, making it difficult to support complex DeFi operations. As a result, Bitcoin, despite having immense liquidity, is challenging to utilize effectively and remains in a state of "lying idle" for a long time.

Currently, if users want to use Bitcoin on-chain for lending, trading, or yield operations, they often need to bridge it to other blockchains that support smart contracts. For example, a popular method in the market is to wrap BTC into ERC-20 tokens like WBTC and then trade on Ethereum.

While this method achieves functionality, it sacrifices decentralization and asset transparency. This approach is not only cumbersome but also involves a series of issues such as security risks, regulatory compliance, and custodial trust. If there are vulnerabilities in the bridging process or issues with intermediaries, user assets may be directly compromised.

Optimex addresses this structural dilemma by designing a completely native, bridge-free DeFi solution. It does not rely on any intermediaries or wrapped assets but enables trading and lending possibilities directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. Through intelligently designed multi-signature vaults, cross-chain coordination mechanisms, and off-chain matching logic, Optimex allows Bitcoin to operate as flexibly as it does on Ethereum, while maintaining its original security and decentralization characteristics.

This model not only unlocks the liquidity potential of Bitcoin but also provides long-term holders with more means for asset appreciation and management. As the Bitcoin network gradually upgrades, Optimex lays a sustainable foundation for its native DeFi ecosystem.

Optimex's Technical Architecture and Core Mechanisms

The core of Optimex's ability to achieve native Bitcoin DeFi lies in its unique architectural design. First, it introduces a native Bitcoin "Vault" mechanism, built on the Bitcoin scripting language, where users deposit BTC into the vault when initiating a transaction, jointly controlled by the user and the protocol. The vault employs a 2-of-2 multi-signature and relative time lock design, allowing users to unilaterally retrieve funds after a specified time if the transaction is not completed, ensuring that assets are always controllable.

Another key module is the "Settlement Committee," a decentralized network composed of multiple MPC (multi-party computation) nodes responsible for transaction confirmation and fund settlement. These nodes use tECDSA threshold signature technology, ensuring the system continues to operate normally even in the event of node replacements or individual node failures. Each node must stake collateral, which will be forfeited in case of violations, ensuring economic security and honest execution of the protocol.

On the communication front, Optimex has also built a dedicated EVM Layer2 network, serving as the information coordination center for the entire system. It records all transaction intents, processes market maker quotes, manages secure deposits, and executes penalty mechanisms, but ordinary users do not need to interact directly with this layer; the entire process is seamless for users.

Additionally, Optimex has designed a flexible matching architecture, with a "Solver" acting as an intermediary for trades, requesting quotes from multiple market makers and automatically seeking the best execution path. Market makers do not need to lock liquidity on-chain but can participate on demand, enhancing capital efficiency while ensuring transaction speed and experience.

Project Background and Current Development Status

Optimex was founded by Loi Luu, a graduate of the National University of Singapore and the founder of Kyber Network and Caliber. Before creating Kyber, Loi developed Oyente, the first open-source smart contract security analysis tool on Ethereum.

Additionally, according to official website information, Optimex has launched BTC's swap and wrapping/unwrapping functions, while the lending and margin trading modules are still under development.

(This article only introduces an early project and does not constitute investment advice.)

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