Fractal Podcast Episode 1: OP_CAT and Beyond with sCrypt’s Xiao Hui
Welcome to the first episode of the Fractal Podcast, where we highlight and celebrate the innovative builders shaping the Fractal ecosystem. In this episode, Spencer Yang, a core contributor to Fractal, sits down with Xiaohui Liu, the founder of sCrypt, to discuss the exciting developments in Bitcoin and Fractal.
A Journey from Big Tech to Bitcoin
Xiaohui’s story is one of curiosity, experimentation, and a commitment to building. Drawn into the world of cryptocurrency in 2017, Xiaohui was intrigued by the possibilities of peer-to-peer technology and the concept of mining. He describes the experience of discovering Bitcoin’s unique economic and technological model as the ultimate combination of his passions.
Why Bitcoin Matters
As Xiaohui delved deeper into the world of Bitcoin, he found himself increasingly focused on Bitcoin’s core principles—scalability, decentralization, and trustlessness. He emphasizes that while there are many new blockchain projects, Bitcoin remains the most economically secure and technologically robust platform. In Xiaohui’s view, either Bitcoin succeeds as a protocol, or the entire cryptocurrency movement loses its meaning.
CAT Protocol: A Game-Changer for Bitcoin
One of the key highlights of the episode was the discussion around the CAT protocol. Xiaohui describes it as the "coolest thing" he has ever seen on Bitcoin. CAT, short for "Concatenation," is a minor-validated token protocol that allows developers to create and manage tokens directly on Bitcoin, without needing external dependencies like indexers.
This groundbreaking protocol not only enhances the security of tokens by ensuring that miners validate transactions, but it also simplifies the user experience by preventing accidental token burns. CAT protocol opens up exciting new possibilities for building decentralized applications on Bitcoin, from smart contracts to innovative decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.
Why Fractal?
Xiaohui’s excitement about Fractal stems from its alignment with Bitcoin’s core protocol.
Unlike many other Layer 2 solutions that introduce new complexities, Fractal offers the same user experience as Bitcoin’s main chain, making it an attractive platform for developers.
With its integration of the CAT protocol, Fractal enables builders to experiment with features like smart contracts and scalability, without the long waiting times often associated with changes to Bitcoin’s core protocol.
The Future of Bitcoin and Fractal
As the podcast wraps up, Xiaohui shares his vision for the future of Bitcoin and Fractal. He believes that as more builders start to use tools like sCrypt and platforms like Fractal, innovation will accelerate. In the near future, we can expect to see more complex decentralized applications (dApps) being built on Bitcoin, such as decentralized exchanges, lending protocols, and even games—all benefiting from the robust security and scalability of the Bitcoin network.
Xiaohui also touches on the potential for cross-chain bridges and trustless systems that can enable seamless asset transfers across different blockchains.
“We can think of blockchains are islands, separated by vast oceans. To visit other islands, you need to cross a type of bridge. ”
Read more about bridges on Fractal here.
The introduction of OP_CAT on Fractal plays a crucial role in this vision, acting as a fundamental building block for the next generation of decentralized applications.
Join Us
If you’re a developer, miner, or enthusiast intrigued by the opportunities Fractal offers, now is the time to get involved.
Check our ecosystem support page for more information on how you can contribute, collaborate, and help shape the future of scalable Bitcoin with Fractal.
