I’ve been thinking a lot about Bitcoin lately. Not just Bitcoin the asset, but Bitcoin the network. The infrastructure.

The most secure, decentralized, and censorship-resistant financial system ever built—and yet, it feels like today’s Silicon Valley “tech visionaries” don’t see the significance.

Maybe it’s not flashy enough. Maybe it’s not VC-friendly enough.

Maybe it’s because Bitcoin doesn’t have a charismatic leader doing TED Talks or raising $100 million rounds. But the more I think about it, the more I realize:

Bitcoin isn’t just surviving—it’s proving itself as the global financial backbone we desperately need.

With the USA now holding Bitcoin as a reserve asset, its legitimacy as a foundational layer for Web3 is that much more undeniable.

This move positions Bitcoin as a strategic asset, akin to gold, and underscores its staying power in a way that no other blockchain can match.

Bitcoin’s Security and Decentralization: The Unmatched Foundation

Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism makes it the most secure blockchain on the planet. Attacking the network is so economically unfeasible that no one even bothers trying.

The same cannot be said for PoS chains, where governance often consolidates in the hands of a few large players—usually the same ones funding the ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the Ethereum crowd and Web3 maximalists claim that Bitcoin is too slow or not innovative. They’re missing the point.

Security is the feature. Decentralization is the innovation.

Bitcoin isn’t trying to be everything—it’s trying to be incorruptible. And that’s why it’s the best foundation to build on.

The 2140 Problem: When the Last Bitcoin is Mined, What Happens Next?

Right now, miners are incentivized by block rewards. But what happens when the last Bitcoin is mined in 2140? The network will have to sustain itself on transaction fees.

That works if Bitcoin is being used. But if everyone just keeps their BTC in cold storage, there won’t be enough activity to pay miners.

So, what’s the solution?

We need to build on Bitcoin.

Layer 2: Solving the “Bitcoin is Slow” Argument

Bitcoin is slow by design. The base layer prioritizes security and decentralization. But speed isn’t the issue—it’s what we build on top that matters. And that’s already happening:

  • Lightning Network – Instant Bitcoin transactions. This solves payments.
  • Rootstock (RSK) & Drivechains – Smart contracts on Bitcoin. This enables lending, borrowing, and DeFi.
  • Stacks – A Bitcoin Layer 2 for decentralized applications.

Bitcoin doesn’t need to “compete” with Ethereum’s DeFi casinos. It just needs the right infrastructure to enable financial applications without sacrificing decentralization.

While Bitcoin’s base layer lacks native smart contract support, RSK—a smart contract platform built as a sidechain to Bitcoin—solves this problem. By leveraging Bitcoin’s security through merged mining, RSK offers a decentralized alternative to standalone Layer 1s, enabling complex applications like DeFi and RWAs.

The Killer App: RWA on Bitcoin

The real killer app for Bitcoin may not be payments, or smart contracts—I think it just may be real-world assets (RWAs).

Everything else we’ve discussed—Layer 2s, NFTs, oracles—isn’t the endgame; it’s the infrastructure that enables Bitcoin to become the ultimate settlement layer for tokenized assets.

If we get this right, Bitcoin won’t just be digital gold—it’ll be the foundation of a parallel financial system that exists outside the control of Wall Street, governments, and central banks.

How do we get there?

NFTs on Bitcoin: Not Just for Pixelated Art

Let’s talk about NFTs. Not the overpriced monkey JPEGs. The real use case: Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs).

NFTs can live on Bitcoin not for speculation, but for unique assets like:

  • Equities and debt instruments
  • Property deeds and land titles
  • Fine art and collectibles (yes, actual collectibles, not meme coins with pictures)

This kind of tokenization is inevitable. But here’s the real challenge: property records.

Oracles & Property Rights: The Last Puzzle Piece

If Bitcoin is going to support tokenized real-world assets, we need trustless data feeds.

Oracles bridge on-chain and off-chain data. Without them, RWAs on Bitcoin are just theory.

For RWAs on Bitcoin to work, oracles need to do more than just provide asset pricing data. They must also interact with legal property rights systems, ensuring that tokenized ownership on-chain corresponds to enforceable claims in the real world.

Without this bridge, an RWA token is just a digital representation without legal standing. The challenge—and opportunity—is in integrating decentralized oracles with property registries, legal frameworks, and contract enforcement mechanisms to create a trustless yet legally binding financial system.

Are there Bitcoin-native oracles today? A few are emerging:

  • DLCs (Discreet Log Contracts) – A Bitcoin-native oracle solution.
  • Chronik – Built for Bitcoin Cash but has Bitcoin implications.
  • Lightning Labs’ “Taro” – Potentially could act as an oracle for assets issued on Bitcoin.

Oracles will be a crucial part of Bitcoin’s evolution if we want to compete with Wall Street’s closed-door tokenization plans.

Wall Street’s Tokenization vs. Bitcoin’s Future

Big banks and TradFi players are rushing to tokenize assets, but they’re building on private DLTs—permissioned, centralized ledgers disguised as “blockchain.”

This is the same game they always play.

They took the internet and turned it into ad-driven monopolies. Now, they want to take blockchain and recreate the same rigged financial system—but with better branding.

We cannot let them win.

Bitcoin provides an open and transparent alternative. A foundation where RWAs can be tokenized without Wall Street dictating the rules. But this only happens if we, as entrepreneurs, build the right solutions.

The Illusion of Other Layer 1s

Many Layer 1 blockchains, despite their speed and scalability, are centralized or manipulable due to leadership teams and large stakeholders who can be pressured by governments or corporations.

For applications like RWAs, where trust and decentralization are non-negotiable, these flaws are dealbreakers. Bitcoin’s decentralized nature, combined with RSK’s smart contract capabilities, offers a superior solution.

Faster throughput on other L1s is just a party trick if no killer apps are built on them. It’s like building a race track in the desert—great engineering, no use case.

Now imagine a Layer 2 where trillions in tokenized real estate or corporate equity exist—and then a government demands those assets be “corrected.” With centralized chains, they could comply. With Bitcoin and RSK? That door stays locked.

RWA as the Breakthrough Use Case for RSK

Real-World Assets (RWAs) could be the killer app that RSK needs. By tokenizing assets like real estate, equities, or commodities on a Bitcoin-secured platform, RWAs can unlock trillions in value while maintaining the trust and security that only Bitcoin can provide. Unlike other Layer 1s, RSK’s reliance on Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure makes it uniquely suited for this high-stakes use case.

Did I Just Become a Bitcoiner?

So here’s where I’ve landed: Bitcoin isn’t outdated. It isn’t “too slow.” It isn’t being left behind.

It’s being underestimated.

As Bitcoin cements its status as a global reserve asset, the opportunity to build on its secure foundation has never been greater. RSK provides the tools to bring DeFi and RWAs to Bitcoin, offering a decentralized alternative to manipulatable Layer 1s. Ignoring this potential isn’t just short-sighted—it’s missing the chance to build the future of finance on the most trusted blockchain in the world.

What do you think—could RWAs be the catalyst that brings DeFi to Bitcoin?

And yeah, I might be wrong. I might be missing something. But based on everything I see today…

I think I just took one step closer to becoming a Bitcoiner.

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Michael Hearne

I’m a serial entrepreneur, and I’ve spent the last 15 years taking companies to new levels, breaking the boundaries of innovation, and triumphing over adversity. My wife, Victoria, and I started our first business in a 2-bed/1-bath apartment with 4 kids, next to a crackhouse. We pushed through setbacks and failures to lift our family out of poverty. Along the way, I’ve learned that my struggles make me stronger. And that being the best version of me is the greatest contribution I can give to the world. It makes me a better husband, and father. It improves my health, energy, and my capacity to serve others. And it has allowed me to build businesses that make the world a better place. Today, I work for passion, to make a difference, and solve real problems in the real world through my business ventures. This little site is where I share the things I’ve learned, and am still learning, on my journey.