Bitcoin Developer Proposes BitVM to Enable Smart Contracts Without a Fork

Bitcoin developer proposes BitVM to enable Turing-complete smart contracts on Bitcoin without a soft fork

BitVM executes contract "logic" off-chain but verifies on-chain via fraud proofs and challenge-response

Allows computing games, proofs, bridges to other chains - but limited to two parties and needs off-chain computation

Implemented via Taproot; cautiously exciting to Bitcoiners but some urge caution until real-world use

Adds to bullish Bitcoin developments like ETF, halving, privacy, hash rate increases per some observers