BRC2.0 — an upgrade to the Bitcoin token standard BRC20 — has integrated the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) into its core logic at Bitcoin block 912,690, a move that effectively makes BRC20 tokens programmable like ERC‑20 tokens on Ethereum.
The change was announced by Ordinals developer Best in Slot alongside BRC20’s pseudonymous creator Domo. BRC20 is a token standard built on the Ordinals protocol, which inscribes data onto individual satoshis (the smallest unit of BTC). By embedding EVM functionality into the BRC20 indexer, the project’s developers say the protocol becomes Turing complete, enabling smart contracts, composability and richer token behaviour on Bitcoin.
Practically, the upgrade—dubbed BRC2.0—replaces the prior “calculator-style” indexer used by Bitcoin meta-protocols with an indexer that can execute EVM bytecode, according to Best in Slot CEO Eril Binari Ezerel. That lets developers write EVM-compatible contracts that interact with BRC20 tokens while still settling on Bitcoin’s ledger.
The Ordinals protocol — launched in early 2023 — set the stage for richer uses on Bitcoin, and BRC2.0 is the latest step. Developers will need to update tooling: indexers, wallets and bridges must add EVM compatibility and standard interfaces. Exchanges and custodians may require new compliance checks before supporting EVM-enabled BRC20 tokens, so widespread adoption could take time.
For users and builders this could bring familiar Ethereum tooling and patterns—programmable tokens, automated market makers and composable DeFi primitives—secured by Bitcoin’s widely trusted base layer. “The holy grail is combining the two gold standards: Bitcoin as the most decentralized and secure network, and the EVM as the most proven virtual machine,” Domo said, describing the goal of an “Ethereum experience” anchored to Bitcoin security.
However, adding EVM semantics via indexers raises security and coordination questions. Indexer bugs, compatibility gaps with existing wallets, and new attack surfaces could create user risk; projects should prioritise audits, formal verification and conservative rollouts. There are also open questions about how wallets, exchanges and regulators will treat EVM-enabled BRC20 tokens. Still, the upgrade represents a meaningful step in expanding Bitcoin’s programmability without altering its base protocol.
Source: CoinDesk. Read the original coverage for full details.