Fractal Podcast Episode 3: zk-STARKs, Opcodes, and Innovation with Weikeng Chen
In this latest episode of the Fractal Podcast, Spencer Yang, core contributor to Fractal Bitcoin, sits down with Weikeng Chen, research partner at L2 Iterative and a leading contributor to the Bitcoin Wildlife Sanctuary project. Weikeng has been instrumental in advancing zk-STARK verifications on Bitcoin and Fractal, providing unique insights into the future of privacy, scalability, and functionality in the ecosystem.
Bitcoin’s Journey Toward Scalable Verification
Bitcoin’s limitations in scalability and programmability have long been the subject of industry debate. Weikeng explains that zk-STARKs provide a breakthrough by enabling “succinct verification.” In simple terms, zk-STARKs allow complex computations to be verified quickly without requiring all the computations themselves, paving the way for high-throughput, privacy-preserving transactions on Bitcoin.
As Weikeng shares, “Bitcoin doesn’t need to do the computational work itself — it just needs to verify.”
The Role of Opcodes: OP_CAT and Beyond
Fractal’s decision to include OP_CAT (a concatenation operation in Bitcoin scripting) unlocks powerful new functionality for developers. With OP_CAT, developers can now build applications like privacy payments, automated token issuance (CAT20), and decentralized order books directly on Bitcoin’s foundational layer.
Weikeng emphasizes the game-changing impact of OP_CAT, saying, “Bitcoin will be completely different. OP_CAT opens up a lot of possibilities.”
Merging Scalability and Security: The Dual Role of Miners
Fractal’s unique cadence mining involves merge mining, which means that miners can validate Fractal transactions alongside Bitcoin transactions without additional energy costs.
Spencer shares that Fractal Bitcoin's mining hash rate currently operates at approximately 30-50% of Bitcoin's, strengthening Fractal’s network with a significant portion of Bitcoin's security power.
This alignment of incentives supports Fractal’s scalability goals while maintaining security, a crucial aspect of Bitcoin’s value.
Optimism for Bitcoin’s Layer Two Evolution
In discussing the future, Weikeng expresses optimism that Bitcoin, powered by Layer 2 solutions like Fractal, will continue to advance and attract more builders and users. He envisions a future where developers have access to sophisticated tooling and standardized protocols on Bitcoin, much like what Ethereum offers today.
“The next few years will see Bitcoin’s ecosystem catch up,” he predicts. “If Ethereum has become a city, Bitcoin is poised to become the same with Fractal. Now is the time to build, test, and experiment.”
As developers dive into this new frontier, Weikeng believes that what they create will form the bedrock for the Bitcoin applications of tomorrow, driving innovation that will make Bitcoin a truly versatile platform.
Applications for the Future: Privacy Payments, Decentralized Markets, and Beyond
From privacy-preserving payments to decentralized exchanges and AMMs (Automated Market Makers), Fractal offers a fertile ground for a new wave of applications that can thrive in Bitcoin’s secure, decentralized environment. While privacy remains a critical area, Weikeng notes that even foundational aspects like minor compensation distribution and UTXO management will benefit from innovations powered by Fractal’s infrastructure.
His message to builders: Now is the time to innovate, as the foundation is set for a powerful new wave of Bitcoin-native applications.
Join Us in Building the Future on Fractal
At Fractal, we are on a mission to make Bitcoin programmable, scalable, and more accessible for builders worldwide. With a robust infrastructure, cutting-edge features like OP_CAT, and the support of Bitcoin’s security, the possibilities for developers are expanding daily.
Are you ready to be part of the revolution? Join us and build on Fractal to make Bitcoin the backbone of a decentralized future. Embrace the opportunity to be a pioneer in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
