Does Bitcoin need an ecosystem? As 'digital gold', BTC does not need one, but the Bitcoin mainnet it runs on does.
Have you ever thought about what would happen when the long-term accumulation of Bitcoin block rewards is insufficient to cover the security costs of Bitcoin miners during the same period? It is foreseeable that a death spiral will occur: decline in the mainnet's total computing power - reduction in mainnet security - drop in Bitcoin prices - decline in the mainnet's total computing power.
In the Bitcoin white paper, Satoshi Nakamoto provided a solution: to use the future continuously growing transaction miner fees to make up for the declining block rewards.
However, BTC has not realized Satoshi's vision of becoming a P2P payment currency in reality; instead, it has become 'digital gold'. The TX scale of the Bitcoin mainnet has not increased linearly with the growth of BTC's price and adoption. Instead, the explosion of inscriptions and runes has led to a rapid expansion, but the nature of inscriptions and runes resembles a short-cycle phenomenon of a wave. After the frenzy passes, the TX scale of the Bitcoin mainnet rapidly declines, leaving behind an expanding UTXO set with a massive amount of fragmented UTXOs.
So, beyond inscriptions and runes, we need to build a systematic, diversified, and multi-layered Bitcoin ecosystem for the Bitcoin mainnet based on first principles. This Bitcoin ecosystem includes: a trustless bridge based on BitVM V2, Bitcoin L2 with the Bitcoin mainnet as the settlement layer, ReStaking protocols and LST protocols utilizing BTC's economic security, and a wrap version of BTC with trusted centralized custody/decentralized trustless custody, etc.
One typical example is the GOAT Network, which is a Bitcoin Rollup L2 that obtains security from the Bitcoin mainnet. It enhances transaction inclusivity and finality by introducing an optimistic challenge protocol (GOAT-OCP) and utilizing BitVM2 for security, as well as ZKM interwoven Rollup as a universal settlement layer, while protecting assets within a decentralized sequencer network.
It sounds complicated, but to make it easier to understand, we can think of the GOAT Network as a comprehensive upgraded version of the first generation of Bitcoin Rollup L2, which is essentially a multi-signature smart contract. In this version of Bitcoin L2, the validation of state data will be through a ZKP in the form of BitVM2, verifying the commitment of the state root on the Bitcoin mainnet. There will be a fraud-proof challenge process to ensure the security and permissionlessness of L2 assets, and a decentralized sequencer network will be responsible for sorting and packaging L2 TX.
From the perspective of infrastructure construction, the GOAT Network is a perfect paradigm of Bitcoin L2. But the next tricky question arises: how to build the ecosystem, and where do users come from?
Relying on attracting inscription/rune players from the Bitcoin ecosystem? Pass! Relying on a point system to exploit data from PUA sheep? Pass! Relying on creating high expectations to guide community airdrop farming? Pass!
GOAT Network co-founder Kevin has publicly declared on X that the above gameplay is dead. The Bitcoin ecosystem needs something new and exciting: MeMeFi and Community alignment.
The GOAT Network ecosystem concept actively aligns with the value concepts of meme coin ancestors BTC and DogeCoin, dedicated to becoming a paradise for people's currency and a new haven for the crypto community.
Following this concept, the construction of the GOAT Network ecosystem is divided into three steps:
Step 1: Bring real returns to BTC/DOGE, allowing users to stake BTC/DOGE into the GOAT Network's decentralized sequencer network to earn BTC rewards.
Step 2: A set of MemeFi dApps will be launched soon to help Meme holders earn DeFi returns within the GOAT ecosystem.
Step 3: Launch the One Piece plan to create a complete universe for community participation, where community members can earn actual returns from BTC/DOGE while exploring space, collecting civilization fragments, and establishing alliances.
The One Piece plan will be divided into five chapters: GOAT Capsule NFTs, lunar base construction, Martian defense city, spectrum spaceship assembly, and the establishment of a cosmic alliance. Each chapter will unlock corresponding new opportunities for community members.
Conclusion
Devs, times have changed. Perfect infrastructure no longer automatically attracts market attention, liquidity, and users. In this new era, Devs need to get to work, building a community-centered ecosystem brick by brick. The early bird catches the worm; GOAT Network has already realized this.
In summary, the core principle of the GOAT Network ecosystem construction is to prioritize culture, unify community goals, and align long-term values.
Just like Hyperliquid, there will no longer be meaningless volume brushing, nor will there be immediate sell-offs after airdrops.
Goodbye: ❌ Short-term points ❌ Random airdrops ❌ Malicious competition
Welcome: ✅ Sustainable returns ✅ Community-driven goals ✅ Shared success
Whether you are a BTC maximalist, a DOGE enthusiast, or just an ordinary person who believes in the power of community - GOAT Network is building something special for you.
That's all.
