Application: pallet-bitcoin

[liuchengxu]

Project Abstract

The primary goal of this project is to provide a generic and reusable Bitcoin light client implementation in a Substrate pallet. This implementation will store Bitcoin block headers and enable trustless proof of BTC transaction inclusion. This pallet
allows quick and easy BTC light client integration for any Substrate-based project.

Grant level

• Level 1: Up to $10,000, 2 approvals
• Level 2: Up to $30,000, 3 approvals
• Level 3: Unlimited, 5 approvals (for >$100k: Web3 Foundation Council approval)

Application Checklist

• The application template has been copied and aptly renamed (project_name.md).
• I have read the application guidelines.
• Payment details have been provided (bank details via email or Polkadot (USDC & USDT) address in the application).
• I am aware that, in order to receive a grant, I (and the entity I represent) have to successfully complete a KYC/KYB check.
• The software delivered for this grant will be released under an open-source license specified in the application.
• The initial PR contains only one commit (squash and force-push if needed).
• The grant will only be announced once the first milestone has been accepted (see the announcement guidelines).
• I prefer the discussion of this application to take place in a private Element/Matrix channel. My username is: @_______:matrix.org (change the homeserver if you use a different one)

[github-actions]

CLA Assistant Lite bot All contributors have signed the CLA ✍️ ✅

[liuchengxu]

I have read and hereby sign the Contributor License Agreement.

[PieWol]

Hey @liuchengxu ,
thank you for the application!

You said that there already is a draft concept for the project. Would you be comfortable with sharing this draft with the w3f prior? If you don't want to make it publicly you can also send it to me via email to [email protected]
to keep it private.

I hope to gain some further insights to your vision by reading the draft. Looking forward to hearing from you :)

[liuchengxu]

@PieWol Thanks for the review. The design document draft is here, which is already mentioned in the Project Details section. Anyway I have updated the link to the Development status section as well to make it more obvious :P

[PieWol]

Haha, no idea how I missed that. Thanks!

[PieWol]

Hey @liuchengxu ,
After reviewing your draft paper and the interlay repo I can confirm your statement that what you propose to create is already there just with additional business logic on top. I'm sure it's possible to create a more "generic" lightclient pallet as you envisioned by reusing existing code and stripping out the extra business logic.

It doesn't look like a hurdle for parachain teams to me to reuse the interlay code and simply adapt it to their project. Can you show me teams or individuals that have expressed their desire for the pallet you propose?

Kind regards

[liuchengxu]

Can you show me teams or individuals that have expressed their desire for the pallet you propose?

• while I don't have specific individuals or teams to reference at this moment, I can provide insight into the broader demand within the Substrate ecosystem. I've observed a growing interest in building Bitcoin-related projects in the entire industry. Many developers are exploring ways to integrate Bitcoin functionality into their projects, whether for cross-chain interoperability, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, or other innovative use cases. If they choose Substrate framework, they may need a BTC light client pallet.
• Personally, I am eager to see the availability of a reusable BTC light client pallet. The genesis of this idea stems from my own contemplation of initiating BTC-related projects using Substrate. I recognize the value of streamlining development processes and accelerating project timelines. By having an off-the-shelf pallet specifically designed for BTC light client functionality, developers can focus more on building unique features and applications rather than investing time in reinventing the wheel or navigating through complex codebases.

It doesn't look like a hurdle for parachain teams to me to reuse the interlay code and simply adapt it to their project.

While leveraging the existing codebase from projects like Interlay may indeed be feasible for experienced Rust engineers (may still take a few weeks if he never works on this topic though), it's important to consider the broader implications for the Substrate ecosystem. Simplifying the development process by providing modular, reusable components not only fosters innovation but also lowers the barrier to entry for newcomers. By offering a standardized solution, we empower developers of all skill levels to participate in building the next generation of blockchain applications without requiring deep domain expertise or extensive codebase comprehension.

In summary, while it may be possible to adapt existing code from projects like Interlay, the true value lies in creating a more accessible and efficient development experience for the entire Substrate community.

[PieWol]

Thank you very much for elaborating on these points. I will mark the application as ready for review and notify the committee 👍

[takahser]

@liuchengxu unfortunately, the W3F Grants Committee decided not to go forward with your proposal, since similar solutions already exist as pointed out by @PieWol. Hence, it's difficult to justify the funding of an alternative solution, even if it'd be more reusable/developer-friendly.

Thanks for your interest in our program. We wish you all the best for the future of your project.
You're welcome to apply again in the future for another project if you think it could be a good fit with our program.