[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article-bitcoin-layer-2-projects-to-watch-2026-en":3,"article-related-bitcoin-layer-2-projects-to-watch-2026-en":30,"series-blockchain-78123990-2ba9-497e-81ab-327b9e07c238":83},{"id":4,"slug":5,"title":6,"content":7,"summary":8,"source":9,"source_url":10,"author":11,"image_url":12,"cover_image":12,"category":13,"language":14,"translated_content":11,"related_article_id":15,"keywords":16,"key_takeaways":22,"views":26,"created_at":27,"published_at":28,"topic_cluster_id":29},"78123990-2ba9-497e-81ab-327b9e07c238","bitcoin-layer-2-projects-to-watch-2026-en","7 Bitcoin Layer 2 Projects to Watch in 2026","\u003Cp data-speakable=\"summary\">Bitcoin \u003Ca href=\"\u002Ftag\u002Flayer-2\">Layer 2\u003C\u002Fa> projects in 2026 are splitting into payments, smart contracts, sidechains, and rollups.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Bitcoin Layer 2 projects are no longer just a concept check. In a 15 April 2026 analysis updated 27 May 2026, BitcoinFoundation.org ranked the main networks by TVL, daily activity, security model, and adoption, with Lightning Network, Stacks, Rootstock, Liquid, Botanix, Bitlayer, and Citrea making the cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ctable>\u003Cthead>\u003Ctr>\u003Cth>項目\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>數值\u003C\u002Fth>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Fthead>\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Published\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>15 April 2026\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Updated\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>27 May 2026\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Top projects named\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>7\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Lightning capacity\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>~4,900 BTC\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Stacks TVL\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>~$100M-$150M\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Rootstock TVL\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>$109.03 million\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Citrea TVL\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>~$1.7M-$5M\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\u003Ch2>What changed\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>The article argues that Bitcoin scaling has moved beyond one-size-fits-all payment channels. It splits the category into payment layers, sidechains, smart contract layers, and rollup-style designs, then compares them by how they settle, what they secure, and what developers can build on top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure class=\"my-6\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1780143473332-ot35.png\" alt=\"7 Bitcoin Layer 2 Projects to Watch in 2026\" class=\"rounded-xl w-full\" loading=\"lazy\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>That framing matters because each network solves a different problem. Lightning aims at fast payments, Stacks targets Bitcoin-native apps, Rootstock brings EVM tooling, Liquid focuses on settlement and asset issuance, while newer designs such as Botanix, Bitlayer, and Citrea are pushing toward BTCFi and rollup-style execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Lightning Network: ~45,000+ channels, ~15,000+ nodes, and merchant use through Square.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Stacks: PoX-based smart contract layer with dozens of live dApps and BTCFi apps.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Rootstock: EVM sidechain with Solidity support and merged mining claims.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Citrea: ZK-rollup design using BitVM2 for permissionless exit.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Among the seven, Lightning remains the payments leader, while Stacks is presented as the most developed smart contract ecosystem around Bitcoin. Rootstock is the most mature EVM option, and Liquid keeps its niche in fast settlement and \u003Ca href=\"\u002Ftag\u002Ftoken\">token\u003C\u002Fa> issuance.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Why it matters\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>For developers, the split means Bitcoin app design now depends on use case, not just the BTC brand. A team building remittances, for example, will look at Lightning; a \u003Ca href=\"\u002Ftag\u002Fdefi\">DeFi\u003C\u002Fa> team may prefer Stacks, Rootstock, Botanix, or Bitlayer; and teams chasing trust-minimized settlement will watch Citrea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure class=\"my-6\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1780143471253-m9l6.png\" alt=\"7 Bitcoin Layer 2 Projects to Watch in 2026\" class=\"rounded-xl w-full\" loading=\"lazy\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>For the market, the numbers show that Bitcoin’s second layer is starting to look like a stack of competing infrastructure bets. Some networks already have users, liquidity, and apps. Others are still early, but their architecture could decide where BTCFi and Bitcoin-based smart contracts settle in 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The real question is no longer whether Bitcoin can support more than simple transfers. It is which Layer 2 model will win developer mindshare: channels, sidechains, or rollups.\u003C\u002Fp>","Bitcoin Layer 2 is moving past theory in 2026, with Lightning, Stacks, Rootstock, and newer rollup designs already drawing users and liquidity.","bitcoinfoundation.org","https:\u002F\u002Fbitcoinfoundation.org\u002Fnews\u002Fanalysis\u002Fbest-bitcoin-layer-2-projects-2026\u002F",null,"https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1780143473332-ot35.png","blockchain","en","8069cb0c-d57d-475a-8631-3f529cf23acb",[17,18,19,20,21],"Bitcoin Layer 2","Lightning Network","Stacks","Rootstock","BTCFi",[23,24,25],"Bitcoin Layer 2 is now a live market with payments, smart contracts, sidechains, and rollups.","Lightning leads for payments, while Stacks and Rootstock anchor Bitcoin app development.","Newer projects like Botanix, Bitlayer, and Citrea are competing on BTCFi and security design.",3,"2026-05-30T12:17:27.349327+00:00","2026-05-30T12:17:27.34+00:00","67918dab-d53f-49f9-ab73-7ffce79fb0be",{"tags":31,"relatedLang":42,"relatedPosts":46},[32,34,36,38,40],{"name":21,"slug":33},"btcfi",{"name":18,"slug":35},"lightning-network",{"name":19,"slug":37},"stacks",{"name":17,"slug":39},"bitcoin-layer-2",{"name":20,"slug":41},"rootstock",{"id":15,"slug":43,"title":44,"language":45},"bitcoin-layer-2-projects-to-watch-2026-zh","7 個 2026 比特幣 Layer 2","zh",[47,53,59,65,71,77],{"id":48,"slug":49,"title":50,"cover_image":51,"image_url":51,"created_at":52,"category":13},"1a2a14c4-7362-4210-89a5-79ca37a4cea0","solana-apis-cut-weeks-off-integration-en","7 Solana APIs that cut weeks off integration","https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1781019187075-08s8.png","2026-06-09T15:32:31.023243+00:00",{"id":54,"slug":55,"title":56,"cover_image":57,"image_url":57,"created_at":58,"category":13},"88e1c970-3601-43ce-8abc-b486078003cf","solana-unchained-token-sale-nears-phase-1-close-en","Solana Unchained token sale nears Phase 1 close at $0.05","https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1781018281455-tzjz.png","2026-06-09T15:17:28.032555+00:00",{"id":60,"slug":61,"title":62,"cover_image":63,"image_url":63,"created_at":64,"category":13},"6161e6db-47fa-41fb-b9e0-1aa6e17b60cc","june-2026-web3-signals-founders-use-now-en","June 2026 Web3 Signals Founders Should Use Now","https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1781003882913-m6x0.png","2026-06-09T11:17:28.903396+00:00",{"id":66,"slug":67,"title":68,"cover_image":69,"image_url":69,"created_at":70,"category":13},"ce76720f-84f9-422a-b14b-53330dc556a0","bitcoin-defi-will-grow-but-not-by-copying-ethereum-en","Bitcoin DeFi will grow, but not by copying Ethereum","https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1780922879493-ystd.png","2026-06-08T12:47:26.641411+00:00",{"id":72,"slug":73,"title":74,"cover_image":75,"image_url":75,"created_at":76,"category":13},"5c9d8908-4308-4f00-9dc8-33375a11a8b9","ai-blockchain-projects-need-real-utility-not-token-theater-en","AI-blockchain projects need real utility, not token theater","https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1780918371471-v5y3.png","2026-06-08T11:32:17.079565+00:00",{"id":78,"slug":79,"title":80,"cover_image":81,"image_url":81,"created_at":82,"category":13},"c6b07d0f-b4d1-410e-86bf-581a3cac649c","dmg-50mw-ai-loi-miners-power-assets-en","DMG’s 50 MW AI LOI is a better use of miners’ power assets","https:\u002F\u002Fxxdpdyhzhpamafnrdkyq.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Fcovers\u002Finline-1780917479517-y1sf.png","2026-06-08T11:17:29.244514+00:00",[84,89,94,99,104,109,114,119,124,129],{"id":85,"slug":86,"title":87,"created_at":88},"cdf2780b-1da6-4aca-a87b-f0974b815b03","moonpay-open-wallet-standard-ai-payments-en","MoonPay's Open Wallet Standard Targets AI Payments","2026-03-28T03:08:33.547032+00:00",{"id":90,"slug":91,"title":92,"created_at":93},"f06da3a4-3b15-4c7b-a250-6077505f5119","next-gen-crypto-simulators-ai-web3-training-en","Next-Gen Crypto Simulators Are Getting Smarter","2026-04-01T09:36:34.200192+00:00",{"id":95,"slug":96,"title":97,"created_at":98},"0794f597-b908-402a-b660-729034ffdbf6","rtk-cuts-claude-code-token-spend-en","RTK cuts Claude Code token spend fast","2026-04-01T10:24:29.50277+00:00",{"id":100,"slug":101,"title":102,"created_at":103},"5101ffbf-7ea9-4baa-b5e2-64729ff55b20","openclaw-flaw-exposes-ai-admin-hijack-risk-en","Openclaw Flaw Exposes AI Admin Hijack Risk","2026-04-01T13:12:33.481569+00:00",{"id":105,"slug":106,"title":107,"created_at":108},"fadea65e-f7c8-41b0-a186-809d21787b4c","how-web3-marketing-changed-in-2026-en","How Web3 Marketing Changed in 2026","2026-04-02T01:36:36.504086+00:00",{"id":110,"slug":111,"title":112,"created_at":113},"88f88741-ff27-41d1-8151-776d0afb9508","ai-agentic-defi-web3-grants-march-2026-en","AI, Agentic DeFi, and Web3 Grants to Watch","2026-04-02T05:51:37.696422+00:00",{"id":115,"slug":116,"title":117,"created_at":118},"43fafe43-772e-48c8-bb95-da8d64cf60e3","why-crypto-is-fixated-on-ai-agents-en","Why Crypto Is Fixated on AI Agents","2026-04-02T05:54:29.121481+00:00",{"id":120,"slug":121,"title":122,"created_at":123},"320ef5e4-fe56-47ab-9a92-290d6fbd3f60","web3-explained-what-it-is-why-it-matters-en","Web3 Explained: What It Is and Why It Matters","2026-04-02T06:15:33.001112+00:00",{"id":125,"slug":126,"title":127,"created_at":128},"f49cffaf-2c57-4f48-9486-7062cca91ba0","trust-wallet-ai-trading-agents-220m-users-en","Trust Wallet Adds AI Trading Agents for 220M Users","2026-04-02T06:24:28.043029+00:00",{"id":130,"slug":131,"title":132,"created_at":133},"2b8501e2-39af-4de3-ade1-29616a58e9fb","trust-wallet-agent-kit-ai-trade-25-chains-en","Trust Wallet's Agent Kit Lets AI Trade on 25+ Chains","2026-04-02T06:27:33.425312+00:00"]