Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Gets Ethereum's Brain—No Bridges Needed

BRC20 Completes Major Upgrade to BRC2.0 with EVM Integration

The BRC20 token standard, built directly on Bitcoin’s base layer and indexers, has launched a major upgrade known as BRC2.0, marking a significant milestone in Bitcoin’s programmability. Activated at Bitcoin block height 912,690, the upgrade introduces Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) functionality directly into the BRC20 core indexer. This enhancement allows developers to deploy Ethereum-style smart contracts on Bitcoin without relying on bridges, oracles, or intermediaries, effectively transforming BRC20 assets into composable and interoperable instruments [1].

Developed by Best In Slot, a key infrastructure player in the Ordinals ecosystem, the BRC2.0 upgrade was created in collaboration with BRC20’s pseudonymous creator, Domo, and the Layer 1 Foundation. According to Eril Binari Ezerel, CEO of Best In Slot, this upgrade turns the "calculator-style" indexers—previously limited to basic data processing—into Turing-complete systems capable of executing complex operations [2]. Domo emphasized the significance of combining Bitcoin’s decentralization and security with the EVM’s proven virtual machine capabilities, stating that the goal is to provide the Ethereum experience of programmability and composability while being secured by Bitcoin [3].

Since its launch in early 2023, BRC20 has facilitated over $3 billion in asset value traded, achieving this success without venture capital or institutional backing. Despite a cooling in activity in 2025, BRC20 has maintained strong performance, with 5,636 BTC (approximately $633 million) in on-chain volume over the last six months, outpacing other Bitcoin token standards like Runes and traditional Ordinals [1]. The new smart contract functionality is expected to expand the utility of Bitcoin-native assets beyond meme coins and speculative trading into more diverse applications such as decentralized finance (DeFi) and modular apps [4].

The integration of EVM into BRC20 indexers introduces a new dimension to Bitcoin’s ecosystem, allowing developers to deploy dApps and financial tools directly on the blockchain. This advancement positions BRC2.0 to compete with other programmable Bitcoin layers, including the WASM-based Alkanes standard, which recently accounted for nearly one-third of all meta-protocol transactions in Q3 [3]. The ability to execute smart contracts and build dApps on Bitcoin’s base layer is expected to drive renewed interest in the network, potentially catalyzing another bull run for Bitcoin-based assets [2].

Analysts have highlighted the implications of the BRC2.0 upgrade for the broader crypto market. The introduction of programmability and DeFi features on Bitcoin is seen as a critical development in expanding the protocol’s use cases beyond its traditional role as a store of value. While BRC20’s adoption has been historically limited by the lack of dApps on Bitcoin, the new functionality is expected to attract a wider range of developers and users. The upgrade also addresses a core limitation of Bitcoin’s existing token ecosystem, offering a path to more sophisticated and scalable financial applications [4].

Source:

[1] BRC-20 Indexer Upgrade Brings Ethereum-Like Features to (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/brc-20-indexer-upgrade-brings-124704923.html)

[2] BRC2.0 upgrade brings smart contracts and defi to the Bitcoin base chain (https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/6eaaa-brc20-protocol-completes-upgrade-to-brc2-0)

[3] BRC20 Protocol Upgrades with EVM to Enable Ethereum- (https://crypto-economy.com/brc20-protocol-upgrades-with-evm-to-enable-ethereum-style-smart-contracts/)

[4] BRC2.0 Upgrade Brings EVM and Smart Contracts Directly (https://coincentral.com/brc2-0-upgrade-brings-evm-and-smart-contracts-directly-to-bitcoin/)