OP_NET launches Bitcoin DeFi push without bridges or wrapped BTC

OP_NET has launched a “SlowFi” DeFi stack that runs smart contracts directly in standard Bitcoin transactions with BTC as the only gas asset, avoiding bridges and wrapped BTC.

OP_NET said it is launching a “SlowFi” decentralized finance (DeFi) stack on Bitcoin that uses standard Bitcoin transactions and native BTC fees rather than bridges, wrapped assets or a separate gas token.

The launch lands in the middle of a growing fight inside Bitcoin over whether DeFi-style and data-heavy uses of block space strengthen the network’s fee market or amount to spam that crowds out monetary transactions.

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Plainview said a swap would typically cost about $1 to $2 under normal fee conditions and roughly $10 to $20 when blocks are congested, because users pay only standard Bitcoin network fees rather than a separate gas token.