Roadmap

9.1 Phase I — Foundations & Research

The initial phase of Bitcoin Everlight development focuses on establishing the theoretical and technical foundations necessary for a robust lightweight transaction layer. This foundational work encompasses several critical components:

Protocol Design Finalization The core protocol specifications will be formalized, including transaction structure, verification logic, and node communication protocols. This design process will incorporate feedback from technical advisors with expertise in Bitcoin scaling solutions and distributed systems.

Economic Modeling Comprehensive economic modeling will validate the sustainability and efficiency of the proposed fee structure, node incentives, and reward mechanisms. This modeling will include simulation of various network conditions to ensure stability across different usage scenarios.

Node Architecture Research Research will determine the optimal node architecture for balancing accessibility with performance. This includes evaluating hardware requirements, networking protocols, and data structures to ensure efficient operation on consumer-grade hardware.

Lightweight Routing Model Validation The proposed routing mechanisms will undergo rigorous theoretical validation and preliminary testing to confirm their efficiency, reliability, and security properties. This validation will include formal analysis of the quorum-based confirmation model.

Prototyping and Internal Testing Development of functional prototypes will enable internal testing of core components, providing empirical validation of theoretical models and identifying potential optimizations before broader deployment.

This foundational phase establishes the technical viability of the Everlight approach while refining the system architecture based on research findings and preliminary testing results.

9.2 Phase II — Testnet Development

Following the research and design phase, development will proceed to a controlled testnet environment where core functionality can be implemented and evaluated under monitored conditions:

Launch of Initial Everlight Testnet A preliminary testnet will be deployed with controlled node participation, enabling systematic testing of the core protocol implementation. This environment will serve as the primary development platform for subsequent feature implementation.

Node Onboarding and Stability Testing The node registration, staking, and participation mechanisms will be implemented and tested to ensure reliable node onboarding and stable operation. This testing will include evaluation of node recovery procedures and fault tolerance.

Quorum Confirmation Testing The quorum-based confirmation system will undergo extensive testing to validate its security properties and performance characteristics under various network conditions, including simulated partial network failures and Byzantine behavior.

Fee Model Calibration Transaction fee parameters will be calibrated based on empirical data from testnet operation, ensuring that the fee structure provides appropriate incentives while maintaining cost efficiency for users.

Tooling for Monitoring & Analytics Development of monitoring tools and analytics platforms will provide visibility into network performance, enabling data-driven optimization and issue identification during the testing phase.

Developer Documentation Preparations Comprehensive technical documentation will be prepared to support future developer onboarding and ecosystem integration, including API specifications, protocol details, and implementation guidelines.

This controlled testnet phase enables systematic refinement of the implementation while generating empirical data to validate and optimize the theoretical models established in Phase I.

9.3 Phase III — Public Testnet

With core functionality validated in the controlled testnet, development will progress to a public testnet that enables broader participation and more extensive testing:

Public Node Participation The testnet will be opened to public node operators, allowing a diverse set of participants to validate the node software across different hardware configurations and network environments.

Transaction Throughput Benchmarking Comprehensive benchmarking will establish the network’s performance characteristics, including transaction throughput, confirmation latency, and resource utilization under various load conditions.

Settlement Anchoring Batch Simulations The Bitcoin settlement anchoring mechanism will undergo systematic testing, including simulation of various batch sizes, anchoring frequencies, and reconciliation scenarios to optimize the anchoring strategy.

Security Assessment and External Audit Engagements External security auditors will be engaged to conduct thorough assessments of the protocol implementation, cryptographic mechanisms, and potential attack vectors. These independent audits will inform security enhancements before mainnet deployment.

Network-Level Stress Testing The network will undergo controlled stress testing to evaluate its behavior under extreme conditions, including high transaction volumes, node failures, and network partitions. This testing will validate the system’s resilience and identify potential optimizations.

The public testnet phase provides crucial validation of the system’s performance, security, and stability characteristics with a diverse set of participants, generating valuable feedback for final optimizations before mainnet launch.

9.4 Phase IV — Mainnet Launch

Following successful public testnet operation and security validation, the Bitcoin Everlight mainnet will be deployed with full functionality:

Deployment of Everlight Mainnet The production network will be launched with stable protocol implementations incorporating all optimizations and security enhancements identified during the testnet phases.

Activation of Node Registry The formal node registration system will be activated, enabling qualified operators to register and stake BTCL tokens for network participation according to the established eligibility requirements.

BTCL Utility Activation The core BTCL token utilities will be activated, including:

• Routing fee payments for transaction processing

• Staking requirements for node participation

• Performance scoring mechanisms for reward distribution

Initial Anchoring Batch Deployment The first settlement anchoring batches will be deployed to the Bitcoin blockchain, establishing the security bridge between Everlight’s lightweight confirmation layer and Bitcoin’s settlement finality.

Ecosystem Integration Support Technical support will be provided to early ecosystem partners integrating with the Everlight network, including wallets, exchanges, and payment processors, ensuring a functional ecosystem from launch.

The mainnet launch represents the transition from testing to production operation, with all core functionality activated and available for real-world use cases.

9.5 Phase V — Ecosystem Expansion

With the core network operational, development focus will shift to expanding the ecosystem and improving accessibility:

Integration with Wallets, Exchanges, Merchant Tools Collaboration with wallet providers, exchanges, and merchant service providers will expand the ecosystem of compatible tools, increasing accessibility for end users and merchants.

Mobile-Friendly Everlight Libraries Development of optimized libraries for mobile environments will enable efficient integration with mobile wallets and payment applications, expanding Everlight’s utility for on-the-go payments.

API Availability for Developers Comprehensive APIs will be made available to developers, along with reference implementations and integration guides, lowering the barrier to building applications on the Everlight network.

Additional Node Optimization Upgrades Ongoing optimizations to the node software will improve performance, reduce resource requirements, and enhance reliability based on operational data from the production network.

This ecosystem expansion phase focuses on increasing Everlight’s accessibility and utility through integration with existing Bitcoin infrastructure and development of supporting tools.

9.6 Phase VI — Long-Term Enhancements

The long-term development roadmap focuses on continuous improvement and adaptation based on network operation and ecosystem feedback:

Advanced Routing Algorithms Research and implementation of enhanced routing algorithms will optimize transaction propagation efficiency, reducing latency and improving network resilience under varying conditions.

Improved Anchoring Strategies Refinement of the settlement anchoring mechanisms will optimize the security-efficiency trade-off, potentially incorporating advanced cryptographic techniques for more efficient batch verification.

Further Economic Refinements The economic parameters will be periodically evaluated and potentially adjusted based on empirical network data, ensuring continued alignment between incentives and desired network behavior.

Ecosystem Growth and Developer Grants Support for ecosystem development may include technical resources, documentation improvements, and potentially developer grants for projects that enhance Everlight’s utility and accessibility.

Ongoing Security Audits Regular security assessments will continue throughout the network’s operational life, ensuring that the system maintains robust security properties as the threat landscape evolves.

This long-term enhancement phase represents an ongoing commitment to improving the network based on operational experience and technological advancements, ensuring that Everlight remains a secure, efficient, and accessible transaction layer for Bitcoin.

9.7 Summary

The Bitcoin Everlight roadmap outlines a methodical approach to developing and deploying a lightweight transaction layer for Bitcoin. This approach emphasizes:

Measured Delivery Each phase builds upon validated results from previous phases, ensuring that development proceeds based on empirical evidence rather than speculative assumptions. This measured approach prioritizes stability and security over rapid deployment.

Long-Term Stability The roadmap extends beyond initial deployment to include ongoing maintenance, optimization, and security validation, reflecting a commitment to long-term operational stability rather than short-term milestones.

Alignment with Bitcoin’s Ecosystem Throughout all phases, development will maintain fundamental compatibility with the broader Bitcoin ecosystem, ensuring that Everlight functions as a complementary layer rather than a competing system.

Commitment to Iterative Improvement The roadmap acknowledges that optimal network parameters and mechanisms may evolve based on real-world operation, incorporating feedback loops and adjustment mechanisms to enable continuous refinement.

This structured development approach reflects Bitcoin Everlight’s commitment to creating a reliable, secure, and accessible transaction layer that enhances Bitcoin’s practical utility while maintaining compatibility with its fundamental security model and ecosystem.