Blockstream Unveils Bitcoin Script and EVM Challenger

Blockstream developers have released a new programming language that can ultimately bench Bitcoin script and Ethereum Virtual Machines

Blockstream has finally launched Simplicity, the long-awaited smart contracting language on the Liquid testnet. This project is designed to be more expressive and safer than Bitcoin Script and Ethereum’s Virtual Machine.

The project has entered its next phase with a full suite of developer tools and a companion language called Simfony, developed after nine years of dedicated research. 

Simplicity Set to Revolutionize the Bitcoin Ecosystem

The concept of Simplicity first came into the limelight with the release of its whitepaper in 2017. Upon its release, it captured the attention of the crypto world with its promise to transform smart contract creation. 

Seven years later, Simplicity is ready for action on the Liquid testnet. This will allow developers to test its capabilities in a real-world environment. Simplicity’s strength lies in its potential to streamline and future-proof Bitcoin development. In a recent X post, Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, shared his insight on the new technology. 

He believes that Simplicity’s flexibility could replace the need for complex proposals like covenants or drive-chains. He said the technology is poised to allow the Bitcoin ecosystem to evolve sustainably within a single framework. 

Amid this challenge, Vitalik Buterin recently teased upcoming projects in Ethereum’s ecosystem that could reach stage one by the end of 2024.

Simfony: Simplifying Smart Contracts for Developers

Along with Simplicity’s rollout is Simfony, a programming language designed to make it more usable. The feature is a Rust-inspired language that simplifies contract writing while maintaining compatibility with Simplicity. 

This way, developers can focus on building powerful smart contracts without getting bogged down by complex details. In an X post, a Bitcoiner compared the process of writing smart contracts in Simfony to composing music. He highlighted that Simfony is designed to be user-friendly and encourages creativity in contract development. 

The team made a variety of tools available for developers eager to explore Simplicity and Simfony. A web-based IDE is live, allowing users to write and test Simfony contracts. Example programs are also provided to demonstrate the potential beyond Bitcoin Script.

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