Summary

In this conversation, Orkun Kilic, co-founder of Citrea, shares his journey into the world of cryptocurrency, detailing how he transitioned from skepticism to becoming a key player in the Bitcoin ecosystem. He explains the concept of ZK rollups and their significance in making Bitcoin programmable, addressing the technical challenges faced in building on Bitcoin. Orkun discusses the potential for DeFi on Bitcoin and the importance of user experience in driving adoption. He emphasizes the need for a robust developer ecosystem to support innovative applications built on Citrea, aiming to enhance the usability of Bitcoin for everyday users. In this conversation, Orkun Kilic from Citrea discusses the innovative features of their platform, including the use of Bitcoin as a guest token and the unique smart contract capabilities. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong developer community through initiatives like the Origins program and hacker houses. The discussion also touches on branding strategies, addressing skepticism about Bitcoin's programmability, and the lessons learned in balancing technical development with community engagement.

Takeaways

— Orkun’s journey into crypto began with skepticism about Bitcoin.

— ZK rollups are crucial for making Bitcoin programmable.

— Building on Bitcoin presents unique technical challenges.

— Collaboration with other ZK projects is essential for growth.

— DeFi on Bitcoin has immense potential due to its large user base.

— User experience is key to driving Bitcoin adoption.

— Citrea aims to abstract the complexities of Bitcoin for users.

— The first ZK rollup on Bitcoin sets a precedent for future projects.

— Native applications are prioritized for better user experience.

— Citrea is focused on creating applications that meet real user needs. Citrea deploys smart contracts on Bitcoin using EIP 7720.

— The security of Citrea is closely tied to Bitcoin’s decentralization.

— Citrea aims to support high-value applications, not meme coins.

— The Origins program focuses on incubating early-stage projects.

— Hacker houses foster community and developer engagement.

— Branding is crucial for creating an ecosystem around Citrea.

— Authentic community engagement is more valuable than mere metrics.

— Skepticism about Bitcoin’s capabilities can be addressed through organic growth.

— Balancing technical development with community building is essential.

— Building something influential requires targeted user engagement.

Chapters

(00:00) Orkun’s Journey into Crypto

(02:58) Understanding ZK Rollups and Bitcoin

(05:59) The Technical Challenges of Building on Bitcoin

(09:03) Collaborations and Partnerships in the ZK Space

(11:51) The Potential of DeFi on Bitcoin

(14:57) User Experience and Adoption Strategies

(17:58) Building a Developer Ecosystem for Citrea

(26:33) Building on Citrea: The Role of Smart Contracts

(29:04) Understanding Citrea’s Data Availability and Security

(31:29) Innovative Applications and Partnerships in Citrea

(34:05) The Origins Program: Incubating Future Projects

(35:58) Hacker Houses: Engaging Developers and Building Community

(38:52) Branding and Community Building in the Crypto Space

(43:03) Addressing Skepticism: The Long-Term Vision for Citrea

(50:12) Lessons Learned: Balancing Technical and Community Growth

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