Rootstock
RIFBitcoin sidechain smart contract platform
Performances
RD Popularity Index
RD Growth Index
| 1h | 24h | 7d | 30d | 60d | 90d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.12% | 4.39% | 10.63% | 13.06% | 0.35% | 38.29% |
Comparison
Top Holders
| Address | Token | Quantity | Percentage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0x0000...8a90 |   RIF | 1,824.77 | 0% | $136.34 |
| 0xba11...1680 | RIF | 1,508.1 | 0% | $112.67 |
| 0x3828...3dac | RIF | 79.82 | 0% | $5.96 |
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About Rootstock
Rootstock is a Bitcoin sidechain that brings Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility to Bitcoin, allowing developers to build and deploy smart contracts while inheriting Bitcoin's security through merged mining. Its native token, rBTC, is pegged 1:1 to BTC and used for gas fees and DeFi activities. The platform's core value proposition is combining Bitcoin's robust proof-of-work security with Ethereum's programmability, enabling use cases like lending, trading, and yield farming directly on Bitcoin.
The main pain point Rootstock addresses is Bitcoin's lack of native smart contract functionality, which limits its utility beyond a store of value. Other smart contract platforms like Ethereum face scalability and security trade-offs, while Rootstock leverages Bitcoin's established hash power and liquidity. The PowPeg two-way bridge allows trust-minimized transfers between BTC and rBTC, and the platform supports standard Ethereum tools like MetaMask, making it easy for developers to port existing dApps.
In the past six months (2026-02-28 to 2026-08-31), Rootstock launched Atlas, a unified cross-chain bridge interface that simplifies asset transfers across multiple networks (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base) by automatically selecting the best route based on speed and cost. Atlas supports BTC, ETH, USDC, and other assets, with custody integrations from Fordefi and Utila, and plans to expand to Cobo and Fireblocks. Additionally, a BitVMX-powered bridge called Union Bridge is expected to enter public testing soon, aiming to reduce trust assumptions further. The platform has maintained 100% uptime since its 2018 launch, and its ecosystem includes over 150 partners and 200+ deployed applications, with total value locked exceeding $269 million as of Q1 2026.
Rootstock, launched in 2018, is an EVM-compatible smart contract platform secured by Bitcoin's proof-of-work through merge-mining. Its mainnet has operated without a single outage or chain reset, establishing a record of reliability. The platform introduced the Powpeg, a consensus-governed, non-custodial bridge that enables trust-minimized BTC transfers between Bitcoin and Rootstock. Over time, it has evolved to support institutional-grade infrastructure, including the Union Bridge powered by BitVMX, which uses cryptographic proofs to eliminate reliance on fixed validator sets. These milestones—mainnet stability, the Powpeg's secure bridging, and the shift toward permissionless verification—represent long-term foundational progress for Bitcoin-based DeFi.
Positive: From March to September 2026, Rootstock saw notable ecosystem progress: 84% of Bitcoin hashrate via merged mining, 21M+ transactions, $60M+ tokenized RWAs, expanded institutional custody support, Atlas bridge and Union testnet launches, and the Vetiver upgrade. These boosted adoption and security expectations.
Negative: Following the Liquid Network theft, concentrated withdrawals drained the two-way bridge UTXO inventory, extending withdrawal delays to 36-46 hours and raising trust concerns.
Rootstock co-founder and CEO Diego Gutiérrez Zaldívar, a Latin American Bitcoin pioneer, founded LABITCONF, the region's largest Bitcoin conference, and leads Rootstock ecosystem development. Co-founder and Chief Scientist Sergio Demian Lerner, a renowned security researcher, discovered multiple Bitcoin/Ethereum vulnerabilities, designed the Rootstock sidechain and Powpeg mechanism, advancing Bitcoin smart contracts.