Discussion Details
Atlas PAB: Native Bitcoin (BTC) Integration Layer
geniusyield
Description
This proposal builds a full-featured Atlas.Bitcoin integration layer, including:
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Bitcoin Event MonitorUse Bitcoin Core, Electrum, or Esplora to watch BTC UTXOs. Track addresses, scripts, and transactions relevant to a dApp.
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BTC-to-Plutus Trigger FrameworkLet developers define JSON/DSL-based BTC triggers. Automatically activate Plutus endpoints when BTC conditions are met.
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BTC Proof Verification LayerSupport SPV/Babylon/BitVM proofs. Validate BTC transactions off-chain before submitting to Plutus.
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Metadata and Asset TrackerLink BTC txids and asset metadata into Atlas storage. Enable off-chain visibility for BTC-backed Cardano tokens or NFTs.
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Example BTC-aware dAppDemo app: trustless stablecoin minting, BTC-for-NFT auction, or BTC DAO contribution system.
Problem Statement
Cardano currently lacks the tooling and infrastructure to support native Bitcoin integration. Developers seeking to build cross-chain dApps using BTC must rely on wrapped assets or custodial bridges, which compromise decentralization, composability, and security. However, with the emergence of Bitcoin-native programmability technologies (e.g., BitVM, Babylon, DLCs), it's now possible to use native BTC directly as a cryptographic input or trigger in smart contracts. Cardano and Bitcoin share the UTXO model, making native integration technically achievable. Yet, there is no developer-friendly backend that allows Cardano dApps to: Track and verify Bitcoin UTXOs. Use BTC transactions to trigger Plutus contract logic. Build BTC-backed applications without trust-minimized bridges. Without this, Cardano misses a significant opportunity to unlock Bitcoin liquidity and security while preserving its decentralization ethos.
Proposal Benefit
This proposal upgrades Atlas PAB into a Bitcoin-aware smart contract backend, enabling developers to: Track native BTC transactions via full nodes or lightweight indexers. Define BTC-based triggers for activating Cardano Plutus endpoints. Verify BTC proofs (SPV, BitVM, Babylon) from off-chain or light clients. Write BTC-aware business logic in Atlas without custodial bridges. Synchronize Cardano and Bitcoin UTXO states to support secure BTC-backed workflows. This approach lets developers: Build BTC-backed stablecoins or vaults. Design Cardano NFT auctions triggered by BTC payments. Launch DeFi protocols collateralized by native BTC. Enable trustless cross-chain coordination between Bitcoin and Cardano. By enhancing Atlas to support Bitcoin natively, this proposal creates new opportunities for BTC holders and Cardano developers to collaborate securely.
Key Proposal Deliverables
- Atlas.Bitcoin Plugin Module Haskell
- module for BTC monitoring
- triggers Released on GitHub with examples
- BTC Trigger Framework
- JSON/DSL logic for defining
- BTC conditions Successfully
- triggers Atlas Plutus endpoints
- BTC Proof Verifier Support
- SPV/Babylon/BitVM proofs
- Validates proofs with sample BTC testnet TX
- BTC Metadata TrackerStore
- BTC txid + Cardano asset mapping Exposed via Atlas APIs
- Example dApp One BTC-native dApp with UI
- Contracts Live on testnet with tutorial documentation
Cost Breakdown
Bitcoin Monitor Module: 180 hrs$ = 60,000 BTC Trigger Framework: 140 hrs = $45,000 BTC Proof Verification Layer: 130 hrs = $40,000 Metadata + Asset Tracker: 80 hrs = $25,000 BTC-aware dApp Example + UI: 70 hrs= $20,000 Documentation, QA, Community Testing— $25,000 Project Management, Buffer, Security— $35,000
Total = $250,000
Resourcing & Duration
Duration: 7 months Team: 3 Haskell engineers (Atlas, BTC protocols, cross-chain dev) 1 Developer Advocate (docs, UI, community testing) ~650 total hours
Experience
The Genius Yield team created and maintains Atlas PAB, and has: Built and maintained production-grade open-source infrastructure (Atlas, Genius Yield backend)
This proposal will be delivered in partnership with the Fluid Token team, pioneers in native BTC integrations and cross-chain infrastructure. Together, Genius Yield and Fluid Token bring deep expertise in Cardano and Bitcoin development, enabling high-confidence delivery of native BTC capabilities in Atlas.
Maintenance & Support
The Bitcoin integration will become part of the open-source Atlas PAB repository https://github.com/geniusyield/atlas. Genius Yield Team will maintain version updates, support integration questions, and evolve modules based on developer feedback.
Supplementary Endorsement
Cardano DeFi builders are eager to integrate BTC collateral in a trustless manner. Babylon, BitVM, and SPV systems are gaining developer traction. Proposal #323 (Cardano + Bitcoin) showed strong community support for BTC-native integration. Atlas is a widely used backend, and enhancing it with BTC support will have widespread impact.
Roadmap Alignment
Does your proposal align with any of the Intersect Committees?
Open Source Committee
Does this proposal align to the Product Roadmap and Roadmap Goals?
Developer / User Experience
Administration and Auditing
Would you like Intersect to be your named Administrator, including acting as the auditor, as per the Cardano Constitution?
Yes
Ownership Information
Submitted On Behalf Of
CompanySocial Handles
https://x.com/GeniusyieldOKey Dependencies
Bitcoin Core node or light client indexer
Babylon proof format or equivalent SPV tools
Atlas open-source architecture (already available)
Supporting Links
Comments (2)
I support this proposal first because it aligns with the developer/user experience. It provides a technical solution that aims to ease cross chain development which attracts an expansive open source decentralized community.
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