Omnity, the pioneering 100% on-chain omnichain interoperability protocol built on the Internet Computer (ICP), has unveiled the integration of Runes, a highly efficient UTXO-based Bitcoin metaprotocol.
The announcement comes at a critical time as the Bitcoin network is grappling with transaction fees and congestion issues exacerbated by surges in activity such as ETF inflows, Ordinals inscriptions, and the introduction of BRC-20 tokens.
Omnity’s Runes integration aims to alleviate these issues by allowing Rune tokens to be traded seamlessly without gas or transaction fees. This move not only improves trading efficiency, but also lays the foundation for broader utility, including integration within the DeFi ecosystem, market integration, and token swaps without risky cross-chain bridges.
What sets Omnity apart is its role as the first protocol to support Runes interoperability, positioning it as a key player in facilitating the seamless transfer of assets across various chains. Omnity not only alleviates network congestion by offloading the burden of underlying Bitcoin transactions to the Internet Computer (ICP), but also supports the evolution of Bitcoin to serve broader economic functions globally.
The core of Omnity’s cross-chain integration is ICP’s chain fusion technology. This allows the network to read and write Bitcoin without relying on a centralized bridging service. This groundbreaking approach brings smart contract functionality to Bitcoin, opening up new possibilities for DeFi and Dapp development while maintaining the integrity and security of the network.
Considered a game-changer for token standards, Rune works natively with Bitcoin, eliminating inefficiencies associated with previous standards such as BRC-20. Its design efficiency allows it to fulfill a similar role as Ethereum’s ERC-20 token, heralding a new era of innovation and usability within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Despite the hype surrounding runes, the process of minting them has presented challenges to users, including high transaction fees and the risk of losing commissions. However, with the integration of Internet Computer’s new NFT project, Motoko Sentinels, users can now mine runes automatically through Omnity’s interoperability protocol. This combination of technologies not only simplifies the minting process, but also enables seamless transfer across the ecosystem, further improving the accessibility and usability of runes.
Going forward, Omnity’s roadmap outlines ambitious plans for integrating additional Bitcoin and Ethereum token standards and collaborating with layer 2 networks (L2), app chains, and other payment chains. This strategic vision highlights Omnity’s commitment to driving innovation within the blockchain ecosystem and fostering unparalleled cross-chain interoperability.
“As champions of blockchain’s mission to protect public goods, we are proud to leverage the Internet’s computing power to relieve congestion on the Bitcoin network. This improves Runes transaction efficiency and reduces costs, supporting Bitcoin’s scalability and economic functionality while ensuring users have access to these assets without institutional or government control,” Louis Liu, founder of Omnity, said in a statement. said.
Read: OKX Integrates Atomicals, Stamps, Bitcoin Runes and Doginals