How Boltz is using RIF Relay to bring atomic swaps to Rootstock
The latest Rootstock Ecosystem Summit brought together core contributors, builders, developers and Bitcoin DeFi enthusiasts from across the Rootstock ecosystem to discuss the latest developments on the network. One of the biggest announcements was Boltz’s integration with Rootstock.
Speaking about that integration, Kilian, co-founder and CEO of Boltz, took the stage to showcase how RIF Relay was key in their work to bring atomic swaps to Rootstock.
This article goes into the challenges Boltz faced when integrating with Rootstock and how RIF Relay was the solution for developers and Web3 companies.
What is RIF Relay?
RIF Relay is a secure sponsored transaction system designed to simplify the process of paying transaction fees on the blockchain. It allows users to pay fees using any ERC-20 token (e.g., a stablecoin) on the Rootstock network without first purchasing RBTC.
For projects like Boltz, RIF Relay has opened up new possibilities, particularly in facilitating non-custodial atomic swaps.
The Challenge
Boltz, founded in 2019, is renowned for operating one of the largest nodes on the Lightning Network and enabling trustless atomic swaps between Bitcoin layers. However, when it came to integrating with the Rootstock network, Boltz encountered a significant hurdle: the acquisition of RBTC, a necessary token for interacting with Rootstock.
Accessing RBTC through the traditional PowPeg system proved to be a bottleneck. The native process was slow and costly and alternative solutions required to trust third parties, —something that runs counter to the principles of decentralization and trustless interactions. For Boltz, which prioritizes user control and security, this was a substantial barrier to offering a seamless atomic swap experience on Rootstock.
The Solution: RIF Relay’s Sponsored Transactions
RIF Relay emerged as the solution to Boltz’s integration challenge. Designed to simplify blockchain transactions.
The Boltz team collaborated with the RIF Relay core developers to add a new feature that allows RIF Relay to prepay gas in RBTC without the user needing to hold RBTC in order to execute the atomic swap. This new feature was a game-changer, allowing Boltz to offer a truly non-custodial and user-friendly atomic swap experience.
How Boltz Utilized RIF Relay for Atomic Swaps
Boltz utilized the Lightning Network as the connective tissue between Bitcoin layers and Rootstock, focusing on providing a top-tier user experience. With the integration of RIF Relay, Boltz enabled atomic swaps between Lightning, Bitcoin, and RBTC, all while ensuring that users maintained full custody of their funds.
Kilian, co-founder and CEO of Boltz, highlighted the key benefits of atomic swaps facilitated by RIF Relay:
- Avoiding Custody Risks: “Bridges, especially in other EVM ecosystems, have been hacked, and funds were drained. We never hold user funds. We never have control over user funds,” Kilian explained. RIF Relay’s sponsored transactions ensure that users retain control over their assets, mitigating the risks associated with custodial services.
- Enhancing Privacy: “Atomic swaps are the only way to provide reasonable privacy for users, especially without asking for KYC information. RIF Relay keeps transactions non-custodial, which is essential for a good UX.” By avoiding the need for KYC and ensuring non-custodial transactions, Boltz maintains a high standard of privacy for its users.
Implementation and Future Integrations
The integration of RIF Relay began with a successful launch on Rootstock’s mainnet, where Boltz achieved a significant milestone by enabling atomic swaps without requiring users to hold RBTC. This development has not only simplified the process for users but has also set the stage for broader integrations within the Rootstock ecosystem.
Boltz’s next steps involve integrating RIF Relay with other key players in the Rootstock ecosystem, such as Sovryn, Money on Chain and many more. These integrations will allow users to acquire RBTC directly within their preferred apps, further streamlining the user experience and expanding the accessibility of Rootstock.
What that means for the Rootstock Ecosystem
The integration of RIF Relay into Boltz’s atomic swap solution has several profound implications for the Rootstock ecosystem:
- Improved Accessibility: Users can now interact with Rootstock without the need for pre-existing RBTC, thanks to RIF Relay’s sponsored transactions.
- Better User Experience: The ability to seamlessly swap between different Bitcoin layers enhances the overall user experience, making it easier for users to engage with Rootstock.
- Enhanced Security: By enabling atomic swaps without the need for trust, RIF Relay reduces the risk of hacks and ensures that users retain control over their funds.
- Increased Compatibility: Supporting multiple Bitcoin layers, including the mainchain and Liquid network, gives users more flexibility in how they interact with Rootstock.
RIF Relay has significantly lowered the barriers for developers and users to engage with the Rootstock ecosystem. By facilitating atomic swaps without requiring pre-existing RBTC, RIF Relay makes it easier than ever for users to explore and capitalize on the possibilities offered by Rootstock.
Interested in integrating RIF Relay? Read the documentation and feel free to reach out to the core team for help!