The dApp era for Bitcoin may really be on its way.

ARB and OP have made names for themselves in the Ethereum Layer2 space over the past two years—with billions of dollars in TVL and flourishing ecosystems. But one awkward fact remains unchanged: Bitcoin is still just lying there, like a bystander.

That’s the problem Hemi aims to solve.

Hemi is building a dApp layer for Bitcoin, turning BTC from a dormant asset into a true first-class player in applications. Developers can now use the same tools they used to build OP and ARB ecosystems to develop apps directly for Bitcoin. For users, it’s even simpler—your Bitcoin can earn yield, be traded, and participate in DeFi, all while enjoying the security guarantees of the Bitcoin mainnet.

Ethereum achieved its Layer2 boom through OP and ARB.

For Bitcoin’s breakthrough, Hemi wants to play that role.

The technical approach isn’t complicated: by using EVM compatibility to bring Bitcoin into the world of smart contracts, the developer barrier is low and users don’t need to adapt to a new experience. The key is, it doesn’t require Bitcoin to leave its own security layer—something many cross-chain solutions can’t achieve.

Now the Layer2 narrative has expanded from Ethereum to Bitcoin. TVL is one metric, but what’s more important is whether the ecosystem can truly take off. Hemi’s strengths are technical compatibility and native Bitcoin security; what comes next depends on whether the application layer can live up to the promise.