An Interview With ZetaChain – BitcoinWorld

In an exclusive interview with BitcoinWorld, we got the chance to speak with Brandon Truong is the Chief Product Officer of ZetaChain, 

• In simple words what is ZetaChain is all about?  

ZetaChain is the first Universal Blockchain with native access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more, offering seamless UX and unified liquidity to the next billions of users. With its Universal EVM, ZetaChain empowers developers to build Universal Apps that operate natively across any blockchain, creating a fluid crypto ecosystem from a single platform. 

• ZetaChain is the first universal Layer 1 blockchain—can you explain what “universal” means in this context and how it differs from other blockchain models?

ZetaChain’s universal blockchain transforms how different blockchain ecosystems interact. At its core, ZetaChain allows developers to create dApps with built-in interoperability. This innovation leads to a smoother user experience and unified liquidity, where assets like native BTC, ETH, and USDC can flow freely across chains. Unlike other blockchain models, ZetaChain’s universal approach simplifies development by letting developers manage a single smart contract across all chains, reducing friction while pushing them to focus on innovation and utility. Ultimately, ZetaChain is creating a more fluid and interconnected crypto ecosystem. 

• You’ve spoken about chain abstraction as the next step towards universal adoption in Web3. How does ZetaChain simplify the ecosystem for developers and users alike?

The discourse around interoperability often focuses on improving communication across different chains. However, communication alone doesn’t address the complexities and challenges that hinder cross-chain compatibility.  

Chain abstraction, a practice that hides blockchain complexities, has been identified as a solution to this. ZetaChain takes this further by positioning itself as the ‘First Universal Blockchain,’ offering interoperability that empowers developers to easily build cross-chain applications while providing users with a unified and simplified Web3 experience.

 

• Bitcoin has traditionally been viewed as a store of value, but ZetaChain is helping it expand into DeFi. Can you elaborate on how this shift benefits both Bitcoin and the decentralized finance ecosystem?

ZetaChain’s integration of Bitcoin into DeFi significantly expands its role beyond a mere store of value. By enabling the creation of universal apps on ZetaChain’s Universal EVM, developers can build complex applications that leverage native Bitcoin alongside other cryptocurrencies. This enhances Bitcoin’s programmability and allows it to interact seamlessly with multiple blockchains.

For Bitcoin holders, this integration creates new opportunities to utilize their assets in various DeFi applications, such as lending, trading, and yield farming, without the need to wrap or convert Bitcoin into other tokens. This not only enhances liquidity but also fosters an environment where Bitcoin can be used in innovative financial services, broadening its utility and appeal.

For the broader DeFi landscape, Bitcoin’s inclusion means a more connected and efficient ecosystem where liquidity flows freely across different chains. By removing the barriers associated with wrapped tokens or complex bridging mechanisms, ZetaChain allows for a seamless user experience, which is crucial for driving adoption and engagement in DeFi. Overall, this shift positions Bitcoin as an active participant in the evolving financial ecosystem rather than a passive store of value.

 

• How does ZetaChain’s integration of Bitcoin into decentralized exchanges (DEXs) improve its liquidity, and what kind of new use cases could we expect to see in DeFi?

ZetaChain provides unified liquidity by enabling direct interactions with native assets across all connected blockchains without the need for wrapped tokens or external bridges. Through Threshold Signature Schemes (TSS) and Multi-Party Computation (MPC), ZetaChain securely manages assets on non-smart-contract chains like Bitcoin, allowing Universal apps on ZetaChain to gain access to unified liquidity pools that aggregate liquidity from all connected chains, and enabling users to hold, transfer, and utilize native Bitcoin within these apps.

• While Bitcoin has fewer developers than other chains like Ethereum, how is ZetaChain working to make Bitcoin more accessible for building decentralized applications (dApps)?

ZetaChain is enhancing Bitcoin’s accessibility for dApps by providing infrastructure that enables Bitcoin integration within the DeFi space. Developers can create cross-chain dApps that leverage Bitcoin alongside other blockchains, which has historically been challenging due to Bitcoin’s limited smart contract capabilities. This advancement unlocks new possibilities for use, such as multi-chain financial services and expanded liquidity options. 

• ZetaChain’s Omnichain Smart Contracts and Universal EVM and Universal Smart Contract are built for chain abstraction—can you explain how this technology enables seamless connectivity across various blockchains, from Ethereum to Cosmos and Bitcoin?

ZetaChain’s Universal EVM allows developers to build applications across various blockchains, including Ethereum, Cosmos, and Bitcoin, without needing to write separate code for each chain. This simplifies the development process and creates a more unified ecosystem where assets and data can flow freely between different chains.  ZetaChain’s Universal EVM addresses the persistent chain fragmentation dilemma that even EVM innovation—such as L2 scaling technology, restaking and new EIPs—has yet to solve. By offering a general-purpose platform, developers can deploy their applications once and seamlessly access any chain, whether modular, monolithic, L2 or app-specific. Acting as the bridge across all chains, ZetaChain’s Universal EVM ensures that the entire crypto ecosystem is accessible to users, no matter where they begin or spend their journey.

• With ZetaChain’s proposed Universal Proof-of-Stake capability, how do you envision staking native assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum contributing to both economic security and broader ecosystem growth?

ZetaChain’s Proof of Stake is under active development to allow users to earn native asset (BTC, ETH, etc.) rewards from cross-chain transactions on top of ZETA rewards for securing the network. There is ongoing research and development to introduce these multi-asset rewards to bring more economic security to the network, and additional research exploring the ability to stake these multi-chain assets as well to further secure the network.

• Looking ahead, what role do you see ZetaChain playing in the future of Web3, and how will it continue to foster innovation and connectivity across the blockchain landscape?

ZetaChain aims to be the Universal Blockchain that serves as the entry and orchestration point for all of crypto — users and developers alike. By focusing on seamless cross-chain connectivity, ZetaChain enables users and developers to interact across multiple blockchains, reducing fragmentation and allowing them to build chain-agnostic applications without needing to worry about complex infrastructure. By unlocking native access across any blockchain, ZetaChain’s mission is to make Web3 as accessible, diverse, and connected as the internet itself.