Blockstream has introduced Simplicity, a new smart contract language for Bitcoin, which will be integrated into its Liquid layer-2 protocol. This launch aims to transition Bitcoin from a secure store of value to a programmable foundation for decentralized finance. Unlike Ethereum’s Solidity, Simplicity does not rely on a global state but requires that contracts encapsulate all necessary state information within transactions. This approach offers benefits such as enhanced safety and more contained contracts, as errors will not affect the entire transaction graph. However, developers accustomed to Solidity will need to adapt, as shared state and certain programming constructs like recursion are not allowed. Simplicity also has a higher-level variant named SimplicityHL, designed for simpler development. This introduction to the Bitcoin ecosystem aligns with the trend towards developing domain-specific smart contract languages, alongside others like Noir and Leo, which focus on privacy and specialized applications.

Source 🔗