This weekend, cryptocurrency enthusiasts were abuzz with the news of a pseudonymous developer, Punk3700, launching what was claimed to be the first Bitcoin-based smart contract. This milestone has reignited a longstanding divide within the Bitcoin community – between the so-called Bitcoin maximalists, who believe that Bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency worth focusing on, and those open to exploring diverse blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies.
The development of smart contracts on the Bitcoin blockchain has been slower compared to theEthereum blockchain. Ethereum’s ability to run decentralized applications (dApps) has attracted a wide range of use cases, including some controversial ones like Ponzi-like schemes. Many Bitcoin enthusiasts prefer to keep their distance from Ethereum’s uncharted territory.
However, a year after Bitcoin’s latest upgrade, Taproot, developers have started discovering ways to build Ethereum-like programs on the Bitcoin network. This has led to the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and various tokens and meme coins, moving the digital asset beyond its original function as currency without the backing of any state.
Punk3700’s project aims to bring a host of innovative uses to Bitcoin. Working with his team at New Bitcoin City, they are planning projects such as a metaverse, an artificial intelligence lab, and an Ethereum Virtual Machine for Bitcoin. These developments may be new and exciting for some, but they have also raised concerns about the network’s ability to handle increased demand and the potential impact on transaction fees.
While an increase in Bitcoin users may improve the network’s security budget, some are concerned about the network congestion caused by meme coins and NFTs. They argue that the high fees could discourage users in developing countries who might see Bitcoin as a potential payment system. Transaction fees reached over $10 last week, a significant increase from the sub-$0.01 fees earlier this month.
Despite these concerns
Source: Coindesk
