Architecture
LitVM is built on a modular, multi-layer architecture that combines the best of Arbitrum's battle-tested rollup technology with BitcoinOS's trustless bridging infrastructure. This design enables LitVM to deliver EVM compatibility, ZK security, and trustless Litecoin integration without requiring any changes to Litecoin's base protocol.
Architecture Overview
Core Components
Arbitrum Orbit Rollup
LitVM is built as an Arbitrum Orbit chain using the Nitro tech stack. Arbitrum Orbit enables permissionless deployment of customizable chains with:
EVM Equivalence : Full compatibility with Ethereum smart contracts, tooling, and developer experience
Fraud Proofs : Interactive fraud proof mechanism for transaction validity
Advanced Compression : Efficient data batching for lower costs
Custom Gas Token : zkLTC as the native gas token instead of ETH
Why Arbitrum Orbit?
Battle-tested technology powering billions in TVL
Active ecosystem of developers and tooling
Continuous upgrades from Offchain Labs
Flexibility to customize gas tokens, governance, and more
Succinct zkVM Integration
LitVM enhances the Arbitrum Nitro rollup with Succinct's SP1 zkVM to generate validity proofs for all chain execution, creating a hybrid rollup architecture:
SP1 zkVM : General-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine that can prove execution of any Rust program
Validity Proofs : Cryptographic proofs that verify correct state transitions
Fast Finality : Proofs can be verified in minutes rather than the 7-day challenge period of pure optimistic rollups
Cost Efficiency : Proof costs as low as $0.01-0.02 per transaction
This hybrid approach combines:
The immediate execution speed of optimistic rollups
The cryptographic security guarantees of ZK rollups
Espresso Shared Sequencer
LitVM utilizes Espresso's shared sequencer for decentralized block ordering:
Decentralized Sequencing : Block proposals distributed across a permissionless node network
Censorship Resistance : No single entity controls transaction ordering
Cross-Chain Composability : Shared sequencing enables atomic operations across chains
Network Security : Multiple independent sequencers provide redundancy
Dual Bridge Architecture
LitVM features two bridging systems to connect both the Litecoin and Ethereum ecosystems.
BitcoinOS Grail Bridge (Litecoin ↔ LitVM)
The Grail Bridge enables trustless LTC movement between Litecoin mainchain and LitVM:
How It Works:
Deposit : User locks LTC in a Taproot address on Litecoin mainchain
Proof Generation : BitcoinOS generates a ZK-SNARK proof verifying the locked funds
Minting : zkLTC is minted on LitVM at 1:1 ratio
Withdrawal : User burns zkLTC on LitVM, proof is verified, LTC is released on mainchain
Security Model:
Non-Custodial : No third party ever holds user funds
1/n Security : Only one honest validator needed for security
ZK Verification : Proofs are mathematically verifiable—like solving a math problem with a definitive answer
No Protocol Changes : Works with existing Litecoin infrastructure
Arbitrum Bridge (Ethereum ↔ LitVM)
As an Arbitrum Orbit chain, LitVM also supports the standard Arbitrum Bridge for EVM-native assets:
Supported Assets:
ETH
USDC, USDT, and other stablecoins
ERC-20 tokens
Other Ethereum-native assets
How It Works:
Deposit : User deposits assets on Ethereum (or Arbitrum One) via the bridge contract
Confirmation : After sufficient confirmations, assets are credited on LitVM
Withdrawal : User initiates withdrawal on LitVM, assets are released after challenge period (or faster with validity proofs)
Benefits:
Access to Ethereum's deep liquidity
Familiar bridging experience for EVM users
Standard security model inherited from Arbitrum
Gateway for DeFi protocols and stablecoins
Bridge Comparison
Feature
BitcoinOS Grail
Arbitrum Bridge
Source Chain
Litecoin
Ethereum / EVM
Asset Type
LTC → zkLTC
ETH, ERC-20s
Trust Model
ZK proofs (1/n)
Optimistic + ZK hybrid
Custodian
None (non-custodial)
Bridge contracts
Primary Use
Onboard Litecoin users
Onboard Ethereum users
Mainnet Rollout Phases
LitVM's mainnet will be deployed in three phases:
Phase: Ethereum Settlement + Dual Bridges
Fully operational Arbitrum Orbit rollup settling on Ethereum
Nitro's optimistic architecture with Succinct zkVM validity proofs
BitcoinOS Grail bridge deployed for trustless LTC bridging
Arbitrum Bridge available for ETH and ERC-20 assets
Espresso shared sequencer for decentralized block ordering
zkLTC as gas token and primary base asset
Phase: Litecoin Proof Anchoring
All finalized chain batches anchored to Litecoin blockchain
Validity proofs inscribed using standard extended transactions
No Litecoin protocol changes required
Creates tamper-resistant audit trail secured by Litecoin's PoW
Independent verification possible via Litecoin nodes
Technical Specifications
Component
Technology
Purpose
Execution
Arbitrum Nitro
EVM-compatible smart contract execution
Proving
Succinct SP1 zkVM
Generate validity proofs
Sequencing
Espresso
Decentralized transaction ordering
LTC Bridging
BitcoinOS Grail
Trustless LTC ↔ zkLTC transfers
EVM Bridging
Arbitrum Bridge
ETH, stablecoins, ERC-20 transfers
Gas Token
zkLTC
Native transaction fee token
Settlement
Ethereum → Litecoin
State finality and security
Network Parameters (Testnet)
Parameter
Value
Network Name
LitVM Testnet
Chain ID
⚠️ TBA — This value will be published closer to launch
Native Currency
zkLTC
Block Time
?
Gas Limit
?
EVM Version
Shanghai
Note: Final parameters will be confirmed at testnet launch.
Security Considerations
LitVM inherits security from multiple layers:
Litecoin Mainchain : 14+ years of uninterrupted PoW security
Ethereum Settlement (Phase 1): World's most decentralized smart contract platform
ZK Proofs : Mathematical guarantees of execution correctness
Espresso Sequencing : Decentralized block production prevents censorship
BitcoinOS Grail : Non-custodial bridging with 1/n security
Arbitrum Bridge : Battle-tested rollup bridge infrastructure
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